In groups, students will present their analysis and  response to set readings for a particular week (to be signed up for in the first class). The emphasis of the task is a brief presentation (about 10 minutes per student) raising  issues and questions regarding the week's topic and readings. Students will then lead a workshop discussion.  

MAS 314 students will prepare for their presentation and discussion in groups  but will be individually marked for this assignment. However, you must show that you have  planned your presentation as a group. 

Your individual 1-2 page presentation notes/ outline must be handed in  to your tutor after your presentation.

If you are absent on a day you are due to give a presentation, you will forfeit your marks. Should you have official 'disruption of studies' paperwork, however, please consult your tutor about rescheduling your presentation. 

Submission: through in-class presentation and delivery of printed notes/outline on the same day, as scheduled in tutorials.

Assessment Criteria:

• Relevance, accuracy and insight of critical analysis of readings about the nature of the screenplay in screen production.   
• Clarity and professionalism of presentation
• Capacity to synthesise discipline specific knowledge as demonstrated through planning of presentation and leading of workshop discussion

Research and write an Outline for a 12-15 minute  film.  

The Outline should include your initial screen idea,  information on the key location  you envisage and  brief development notes  on the next stage. 

Your film idea can be presented as : 

a. collage or assembly of images and text (may be delivered as powerpoint presentation, video, or pdf)

OR

b.  a written text 

It should be  a maximum of  750 words or an equivalent in words and images. 

This assignment will be discussed further in MAS 314 workshops. 

Submission: via ilearn link

Assessment Criteria:

• Identification and some refinement of a screen idea 

• Strength and clarity of the screen idea and its presentation

• Synthesis of  discipline-specific knowledge as demonstrated by application of course content to conception and articulation of screen ideas

Screenwriting Dossier (25%)

Writers in MAS 314 will keep a dossier of  reports/research relating to  contemporary screenwriting texts, practices and  means of recording screen ideas. 

Please choose 3 of the following ‘open tasks.’ The dossier should show engagement with material discussed at lectures and workshops in this course. 

1.One compelling scene. Please select a 1-2 page scene from a produced screenplay that you regard as compelling writing.  The excerpt should include ‘big print’ and dialogue or narration. 

Briefly discuss its strengths  in 500 words. 

2. Screenwriting links. Prepare a page of annotated web links about screenwriting.

3. View a film currently on release in cinemas.  Track down any information you can about the script – excerpts online, interview with writer, press kit, production notes.  Write a 500 word report on its  storytelling  and/or idea  exploration strategies.

4. Review a piece of writing software such as 'Celtix',  Non-linear storytelling software such as 'Twine'  or pre-visualisation software or iphone app.  Eg scripped, storyboard composer. Evaluate its possibilities and limitations as a writing tool in 500 words. 

5. Discuss the dialogue in any one scene of a published screenplay draft. (Not transcripts of films).  500 words.   

Please feel free to add  script excerpts and images  to your  Screenwriting Dossier.  

Submission: via ilearn link in week 7

Assessment Criteria:

• Relevance and depth of research as demonstrated through selection and investigation of materials

• Clear, concise and insightful critical analysis of materials selected 

• Application and synthesis of discipline-specific knowledge as demonstrated by accuracy of observations and integration of course content with  analyses

Develop your  Screenplay Outline for a 12-15 minute screen production  to  a First Draft Script.  

The Screenplay should be accompanied by a 50 word Synopsis of your idea and 150 word account of  how you have responded to  feedback on your  Outline. 

Screenplays will usually be expected to be formatted  according to the  Australian film industry conventions (for an example see: http://www.awg.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=217&Itemid=73).  However, this   assignment is not primarily a technical writing exercise and thought-through departures from standard formatting are acceptable. Options include a Scriptment or Image/Text Assemblage.  Technical terms  should be avoided as much as possible. 

This assignment will be discussed further in MAS 314 Workshops. 

Submission: via ilearn link

Assessment Criteria: 

• Development and refinement of screen ideas through successive stages of screenplay writing.
• Responsiveness  to critical feedback.   
• Strength and clarity of the screen idea and its presentation
• Synthesis of  discipline-specific knowledge as demonstrated by application of course content to conception, development and articulation of screen ideas

Students are expected to attend workshops regularly and actively contribute to discussions of readings, screenwriting exercises and readings of other students' work.  

Submission: Attendance and general level of relevant and collegial contributions in discussions, exercises and and readings will be noted. 

Assessment Criteria:

• Appropriately articulated and considered responses and contributions to critical feedback in screenplay readings processes.   
• Relevant and observant contributions to discussion of readings about the nature of the screenplay in screen production.