SCREEN 201

Storytelling for Screen


Please note: this is archived course information from 2020 for SCREEN 201.

Description

A foundation-level core course for a major or minor in Screen Production which introduces students to the conceptual and practical aspects of constructing a narrative for screen. Drawing from various narrative forms both fictional and non-fictional, students will develop an understanding of the basics of cinematic narrative and how to best utilise a plethora of techniques to translate "story ideas" to time-based narrative forms.

The course comprises lectures, discussions, screenings, exercises and three key projects demonstrating lessons learned. Assessment is based on in-class exercises, work-in-progress assignments for credit and completed assignments.

The first four weeks of the course focus on formal/aesthetic elements of storytelling in fictional narrative for screen. We will examine how story is constructed and work towards completing your own one page scene in a correctly formatted screenplay.

Weeks five and six we break down how narrative is formed in non-fiction film. Is documentary constructed or is it simply a depiction of real events?

The last six weeks of the course focus on creative approaches to cinematic narrative and applying technical skills to storytelling. Using the scenes written in the first four weeks students will create short dramatic works. Each student will adopt a specific role and responsibilities in bringing the story to the screen.

Course Objectives

  • Students understand the fundamentals of narrative storytelling for screen
  • Students learn collaborative skills and ways to receive and provide constructive criticism 
  • Students develop role-specific skills in film making

Class limits information for 2020: Enrolment is limited to 40 students. Students admitted to a major in Screen Production will be guaranteed a place. Other on-time applications will be selected on the following criteria, ranked in order of importance:

  1. Completion of MEDIA 101 (FTVMS 101 pre-2018) and either COMMS 100 or 104
  2. Grade in MEDIA 101
  3. The qualitative evaluation of the application including evidence of creative lateral thinking and personal statement of intent
  4. GPA

Assessment

Coursework only

Availability 2020

Semester 2

Lecturer(s)

TBA

Reading/Texts


Recommended Reading


Assessment

Coursework only

Points

SCREEN 201: 15 points

Prerequisites

30 points from COMMS 100, FTVMS 100, 101, MEDIA 101 and Academic Head or nominee approval

Corequisites


Restrictions