Scriptwriting & Directing: Film & TV Production
Unit code: HDFTV211
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| Contact hours | 72 Hours per Semester |
| Campus | Prahran |
| Prerequisites | Nil |
Related course(s)
A unit of study in the Bachelor of Film and Television.
Aims and objectives
This unit aims to introduce students good and great writing and directing. The unit will provide students
with an opportunity to expand their reels through the addition of a TVC (30 second Television
Commercial) or a music video.
Students will be introduced to the concept of specialisation developing independent and collaborative
skills by working on individual and group projects to write, direct, shoot and edit a short narrative or
documentary.
with an opportunity to expand their reels through the addition of a TVC (30 second Television
Commercial) or a music video.
Students will be introduced to the concept of specialisation developing independent and collaborative
skills by working on individual and group projects to write, direct, shoot and edit a short narrative or
documentary.
Learning Objectives
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Explore communicating a story or message in the film and television language;
• Work in the constrained timeframes of film & television production;
• Pitch and sell simple film ideas;
• Conceive and write a script and ancillary written material for a TVC or Music Video;
• Direct and shoot a 30 second TVC or a Music Video;
• Identify an area of individual specialisation;
• Work in a team situation to develop a short narrative or documentary film;
• Work collaboratively to produce a short narrative or documentary film on 16mm or broadcast quality
tape.
Teaching methods
This unit is organised around lectures, tutorial and workshop sessions and the supervision of production
based activities in support of student projects.
based activities in support of student projects.
Assessment
Note: Percentage weightings are indicative. See Unit Briefs for full assessment details.1. Writing A (15%) Due date: Week 5
Develop and write a script for a TVC or music video.
2. Writing B (15%) Due date: Week 6
Develop, write and pitch a script for a Group Project (short narrative or documentary film).
3. Directing A (15%) Due date: Week 5
Develop and write a directors treatment, storyboards and ancillary visual reference material for a TVC or
music video.
4. Directing B (15%) Due date: Week 6
Develop and write a directors treatment, storyboards and ancillary visual reference material for a Group
Project (short narrative or documentary film).
5. Produce and Direct Individual Project (20%) Due date: Week 12
Direct, shoot and edit a 30 second TVC or Music Video
6. Production of Group Project (20%) Due date: Week 13
Identify a chosen area of specialisation and work in a team/group situation to produce a short narrative or
documentary film to be shot on 16mm film or Broadcast video
For more detail refer to Subject Briefs in the subject Learning Materials.
Generic skills outcomes
Swinburne University works to produce higher education graduates who are capable in their chosen
profession. Learners bring to Swinburne a diverse wealth of experiences and graduate with individual
understandings, abilities and attitudes.
Within this context, HDFTV211 aims to provide students with the following attributes:
• Are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
• Are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or
community;
• Operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations;
• Are adaptable and manage change;
• Are aware of local and international environment in which they will be contributing.
profession. Learners bring to Swinburne a diverse wealth of experiences and graduate with individual
understandings, abilities and attitudes.
Within this context, HDFTV211 aims to provide students with the following attributes:
• Are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
• Are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or
community;
• Operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations;
• Are adaptable and manage change;
• Are aware of local and international environment in which they will be contributing.
Content
Topics for discussion may include:
• The practice of film and television through key elements of writing, directing, editing, acting,
cinematography, music, sound design;
• Emotional response, development and complexity of ideas;
• Writing and directing, pitching and selling for the big and small screen, the challenges of concise
storytelling and “mise en scene” in TVC, short narrative and documentary films and animation;
• Script formats, storyboards, directors’ treatments and ancillary production documents (cast, crew and
call sheets, budgets, schedules etc).
• The practice of film and television through key elements of writing, directing, editing, acting,
cinematography, music, sound design;
• Emotional response, development and complexity of ideas;
• Writing and directing, pitching and selling for the big and small screen, the challenges of concise
storytelling and “mise en scene” in TVC, short narrative and documentary films and animation;
• Script formats, storyboards, directors’ treatments and ancillary production documents (cast, crew and
call sheets, budgets, schedules etc).
Learning and Teaching Activities
• Analysis of screenplays and directing techniques;
• Practicing pitching and “selling” ideas;
• Developing scripts, production and directing plans for individual and group projects;
• Production, direction and editing of projects;
• Viewing and discussion of film clips.
• Analysis of screenplays and directing techniques;
• Practicing pitching and “selling” ideas;
• Developing scripts, production and directing plans for individual and group projects;
• Production, direction and editing of projects;
• Viewing and discussion of film clips.
References
Halliwell, L 2006 Halliwell's Film Guide, Macmillan, New York.
Katz, E 2005 The Macmillan International Film Encyclopaedia, Macmillan, New York.
Truffaut, F 1978 Hitchcock by Truffaut, Paladin, New York.
Clurman, H 1997 On Directing, Fireside, New York
Capra, F 1997 The Name Above the Title, DaCapo Press
Senses of Cinema website, The Great Directors
Mamet, D On Directing Film, Penguin (Non Classics) 1992
Lumet, S Making Movies, Vintage 1996
McKee, R Story, Methuen 1999
Katz, E 2005 The Macmillan International Film Encyclopaedia, Macmillan, New York.
Truffaut, F 1978 Hitchcock by Truffaut, Paladin, New York.
Clurman, H 1997 On Directing, Fireside, New York
Capra, F 1997 The Name Above the Title, DaCapo Press
Senses of Cinema website, The Great Directors
Mamet, D On Directing Film, Penguin (Non Classics) 1992
Lumet, S Making Movies, Vintage 1996
McKee, R Story, Methuen 1999
Websites
Australian Film Commission website
Film Victoria Website
Imdb International Movie Data Base website
Rotten Tomatoes website
Senses of Cinema website The Great Directors
