Students

MMCC1025 – Screenwriting

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Karen Pearlman
Contact via karen.pearlman@mq.edu.au
10 Hadenfeld Ave (10HA) room 193H
Tuesdays 1 to 2 pm
Tutor
Miro Bilbrough
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces writing for screen media. Students encounter strategies for generating, researching, and developing their own creative ideas. They work on particular aspects of screen storytelling such as character, world, and cinematic metaphor. Students may choose to develop scripts for fiction, non-fiction, animation, interactive narrative, or hybrid forms. This unit combines creative writing projects with critical analysis of selected screenworks and screenplays. Students do not need prior knowledge to do this unit, and is relevant to those interested in screen and sound media, writing, and the creative process.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: analyse a range of screenwriting approaches and methodologies.
  • ULO2: generate story ideas and material suited to screen media.
  • ULO3: apply independent research and script writing skills to a creative project.
  • ULO4: evaluate screenwriting and creative work in progress.
  • ULO5: demonstrate the ability to reflect in action.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Assessment Information

All assignments of this unit are aligned to the standards outlined in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and- governance/university- policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment). Marking rubric for each of the assignments is available on the iLearn. Students are expected to read the rubric before working on the assignment.

 

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 (including weekends) after the original submission deadline, No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments - eg quizzes, online tests.

 

MMCCS Session Re-mark Application: http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/ndownload/?id=167914

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Delivery and Resources E-Readings:

 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 MMCC 1025 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.

Unit Schedule

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Lectures are live or online at 5pm on Mondays 

Students are expected to attend (or, if the streaming option is selected, watch online) lectures for MMCC 1025.  Lectures are not optional: they deliver important content and are a central component of meeting the learning outcomes in this unit. Students who elect to not attend/watch lectures will miss out on unit content, and do so at their own risk.

Tutorials will be on Thursdays or Fridays depending on your enrolment - one hour

Tutorials begin in week 1. Tutorials in this unit are an opportunity for you to further develop concepts introduced in the lecture and apply them to your own work. In workshops, you will have the opportunity to ask for assistance from your tutor, and receive informal feedback on work in progress. Students are expected to have watched/attended the weekly lecture and completed all required reading before attending each week’s workshop. Not attending workshops will likely jeopardise your performance in this unit. 

Weekly quizzes will open at 5pm on Fridays and close at midnight the following Wednesday.  They are closed on Thursdays and Fridays because you are expected to do the readings, view the short films, and complete the quiz before you attend tutorials each week. 

You are also encouraged to use the time in between lectures (on Mondays) and tutorials (on Thursday or Friday) for the creative exercises provided online. 

 

 

Policies and Procedures

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:

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).

Student Code of Conduct

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

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

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.