Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Karen Pearlman
Contact via karen.pearlman@mq.edu.au
Y3A-193H
Mon & Tues 1:15 to 1:45 by appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
12cp at 100 level or above
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to writing for screen media; from film and television to portable devices. It explores techniques for developing ideas and writing scripts for fiction, non-fiction, animation and hybrid forms. This unit combines creative writing projects with critical analysis. It is relevant to those interested in screen media, writing and creative process.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Unit Requirements and Expectations
Students attend a one-hour lecture in Week1.
Students read materials, watch films, do creative tasks and quizzes posted weekly in ilearn in weeks 1 to 10 (quizzes in weeks 1 to 7)
Students attend and participate in a two-hour workshop each fortnight beginning in Week 2. You are required to attend all workshops. As participation in the process of learning is linked to and underpins the unit Learning Outcomes, you will need to either apply for Disruptions to Studies to cover any missed workshops or supply appropriate documentation to your unit convenor for any missed tutorial.
Students are expected to read and view materials posted by the Convenors/Lecturers at the iLearn page for this course every week.
Assessment tasks are aligned to the unit Learning Outcomes. Timely submission of assessment tasks is a unit requirement or penalties apply.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Submitting Assignments
Assignments should be submitted via the link on the Course's iLearn page.
Methods of Feedback
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Script Outlines | 35% | No | Week 7: 13 April |
Script & Creative Statement | 45% | Yes | Week 13: June 8th |
Participation | 10% | No | All of semester |
Online quizzes | 10% | No | weekly - weeks 1 to 7 |
Due: Week 7: 13 April
Weighting: 35%
Drawing on material generated so far this semester through weekly ilearn exercises, select two ideas, one fiction, one documentary or hybrid. Write short outlines for each of them.
Outline parametres:
Outlines should not exceed 750 words per idea. (1500 words total for assignment, not including bibliographies or lists of works cited). Submit both outlines in one pdf made from word documents or power points, or submit your outlines as video essays (maximum three minutes).
Consider FEASBILITY.
If you would like your screen idea to come to life on screen it must be feasible. In an MQ production context this means: no scenes on trains or busses, no more than two or three locations, no crowded public spaces, no guns at all, no knives as weapons, no car stunts, limited number of cast members, no named music (you won’t be able to get the rights).
Assessment criteria:
Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment
Late Submission Policy:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Submission:
Submit both of your outlines as one PDF document via ilearn by Midnight on Friday the 13th of April
Feedback:
Students will be instructed in protocols of giving constructive feedback and are expected to provide each other with responsive feedback on ideas as they develop in all workshops. Feedback and marks for this assignment will be on ilearn.
Due: Week 13: June 8th
Weighting: 45%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Part 1
Script
5 to 7 pages
Write script for a fictional, or documentary or hybrid screen production.
It could be a short film, a pilot for a web-series or interactive/narrative game.
Include:
Your screenplay should be feasible for production in a low/no budget Australian context.
Part 2
Creative Research/Alternate Version Statement
750 words plus bibliography, submitted at the end of your screenplay (in the same document)
In this statement you will answer the question: what if the content of the screenplay I have written was converted to another form? Fiction to documentary, documentary to fiction, hybrid to fiction or documentary (not both). You may also choose to convert a short film to a game or game to film (eg. fiction film to fiction game).
The purpose of this statement is to reveal the depth of your research, your understanding of your own themes, characters and stories, and your capacity to apply research creatively. It is also to give you a chance to play with your idea in another form!
It should include statements on:
In each case answer the questions:
Finish with a title and two-sentence outline summarising your alternate idea in an engaging way.
Assessment criteria
Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment
Submission:
Submission is via learn. All parts of the task should be in one pdf.
Late submission policy:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Feedback:
Students will be instructed in protocols of giving constructive feedback and are expected to provide each other with responsive feedback on ideas as they develop in all workshops. Tutor feedback and marks for this assignment will be on ilearn.
Due: All of semester
Weighting: 10%
Students are expected to attend seminars regularly and make considered and informed contributions in response to weekly discussion questions, screenwriting exercises and other students' work.
Submission: through consistent punctual attendance and relevant, informed contributions in discussions of scripts, screenings and readings.
Assessment Criteria:
Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment
Due: weekly - weeks 1 to 7
Weighting: 10%
There will be short quizzes on the materials posted weekly on ilearn in weeks 1 to 7. You will be required to do the reading and watch the films online via links provided and then respond to questions about content of each.
Assessment Criteria:
Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
E-Readings
MAS 202 e-readings for this course will be available via the Library. The e-readings contain information necessary to completing assignments for this course.
Videos
Key videos relevant to assignments will be available through the MAS 202 iLearn page. They form part of the lecture material.
Technologies/resources required.
Students will be required to use their own computers for development of treatments, storyboards and scripts. It is recommended that MAS 202 students become familiar with Celtx (free script software). Microsoft Word can also be used for scriptwriting.
Schedule (Week 1 only is a live lecture. ).
Week 1 Introduction to MAS 202. LIVE! Don't miss it! Online: Ideas generation (& script formatting) (+ quiz)
Week 2 Generating ideas from actuality and research (+ quiz)
Week 3: Genre & Tone (+ quiz)
Week 4: Metaphors & Hybrids (+ quiz)
Week 5: Character (+ quiz)
Week 6: Theme & variation (+ quiz)
Week 7: Circumstance & Escalation - Outlines due on Friday of week 7 (+ quiz)
SEMESTER BREAK
Week 8: Place & Image
Week 9: Synthesis (Fiction)
Week 10: Synthesis (Documentary & hybrids)
WEEK 11 & 12 - INDEPENDENT WRITING - Scripts and Creative Research/Alternate Version Statements due on Friday of week 13
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
MMCCS Session Re-mark Application http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/?id=167914
Information is correct at the time of publication
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
online quizzes have been added as an assessment task to insure active engagement with online materials
parameters and form of outlines and scripts have been adjusted to maximise creative ideas development and to insure that scripts generated are feasible for production in units in the screen majors