Drawing on material generated so far this semester through weekly tutorial and ilearn exercises, select two ideas, one fiction, one documentary or hybrid. Write short outlines for each of them. 

Outlines include:

• Title and form  - is it a short film? web series pilot? Interactive?
• Genre, approach and/or tone (mood boards compiling resonant textures, images, colours and so on are welcome)
• Theme - what is it really about? what underlying theme or issue compels you?
• Characters  - include names, ages, and a sense of who the key characters are as entities with emotional lives
• Storyworld & key plot event - what are the circumstances of the story, how do they change or escalate?  what happens?
• Key image (include at least one image and briefly describe its relevant aspects. More images are welcome and not all need to be described if you are running out of words)
• Research you have done and further research you will do to develop each idea

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.

Consider FEASBILITY.

If you are doing screen production units at MQ you may get a chance to pitch the screenplay you develop in this unit if it a strong idea and it is feasible.  Feasible means: small cast, small number of locations, avoid public transport and beaches as locations (getting rights to film on a bus or train is almost impossible, beaches pose dangers for camera gear).  No crowded public spaces. No guns at all. No knives as weapons, No car stunts (any car crash must be off screen).  No named music (don't include a song you like  - you won’t be able to get the rights). 

Assessment criteria:

• Identification and development of ideas, themes and characters,
• Clarity and creativity of choices of circumstances, issues, or events
• Strength of research and proposed further research
• Clarity and fluency of written expression

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 Sunday the 31st of March (midnight) 

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.

This task is designed to develop a specific aspect of the screenplay on which you are working for your final submission. Start with consideration of where focused independent research and development would be most beneficial to your creative work. Then:

1. Choose the a term from the following list. Research the term you have chosen. Summarise a working definition of the term (derived from more than one source) in 250 words or less.

• Character backstory 
• Subtext
• Metaphor
• Specific Genre in which you are working (eg. drama, black comedy, horror, satire…)
• Storyworld
• Creative Research
• Plot

2.  Do the creative writing task associated with the term you have researched (see list below).  These tasks will be read aloud in tutorials for discussion in week 8 or  9. The creative writing should be relevant to the screenplay you are working on for your final assessment task.  

• Character backstory: write the backstory of one or two key characters - real people for doc, fictional for drama. (up to 750 words)
• Subtext: write a scene with subtext
• Metaphor: write a scene or short sequence with a visual or aural metaphor embedded
• Specific Genre in which you are working: write a scene or short sequence where conventions of your selected genre are creatively employed
• Storyworld: describe the circumstances, pressures, and rules or relationships or your storyworld (up to 750 words)
• Creative research: write up the findings from research that you will apply to your script (up to 750 words)
• Plot: write a complete outline of all the planned onscreen events in  your screen idea

Submission:  ilearn link on last day of mid-semester break and via brief in class presentation in week 8 or 9 

Submission filename requirements: TuteDay&Time-Surname-TaskName

filename example: Tues2pm-Surname-ScreenplayDevelopment

Your submission must include:

• Summary of working definition of your chosen term
• Bibliography of sources used in defining term (may be academic or credible industry/journalism sources from online or print)
• Written creative task associated with the term as per list above

Assessment Criteria:

• Clarity and accuracy of summary definition of selected term
• Insightful application of knowledge of the term to creative writing task
• Creativity and sophistication of creative writing

Feedback: Interaction with peers and tutors in-class. Students also receive general comments & rubric. Marks are made available through the Gradebook function in iLearn. 

For a full assessment rubric, please refer to iLearn.

Examples of relevant or related assessment tasks will be discussed in practicals. 

Late Submissions: 

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. 

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

• Identify and develop original screen ideas by drafting and revising a screenplay through successive stages and responding to critical feedback.
• Apply discipline-specific knowledge of topics covered in the unit to development of screen ideas and creative writing for the screen.
• Analyse and apply dramaturgical insights to screen ideas and screen writing through in-class development of own and peer's work
• Critically analyse and communicate ideas about readings, resources, screenplays and productions.

Consolidate your work and learning this semester into a script for a short fictional, documentary, hybrid, or interactive screen production. 5 to 7 pages. 15% length variation (approx. 1 page) plus or minus is allowable. For more substantial variations you must consult your tutor.  

The script must be accompanied by an approximately 50 word synopsis of your idea and a 150 word account of how you have responded to feedback on your Outline. 

Remember: if you are enrolled in screen production units, make your script feasible for a chance to see it produced.  Feasible means: small cast, small number of locations, avoid public transport, beaches & crowded public spaces as locations, no guns at all, no knives as weapons, no car stunts. 

Assessment criteria 

• Development and refinement of screen ideas through successive stages of screenplay writing and responsiveness  to critical feedback.   
• Application of discipline-specific knowledge of topics covered in the unit to creative writing for the screen
• Creativity and sophistication of the screen play

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 is via learn.  All parts of the task must 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.

Students are expected to attend 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:

• Appropriately articulated and considered responses and contributions exercises.   
• Relevant and observant contributions to discussion of readings and screenings. 

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

There will be short  quizzes on the materials posted weekly on ilearn in weeks 1 to 10.  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:

• correct answers to multiple choice questions
• consistent engagement 

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.