Key facts

UNE unit code: THEA521

*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 2 - On Campus
  • Trimester 2 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • No
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Before the curtain rises or the camera rolls, there is the script: the foundation from which a director, cast, and production crew work together to engage, move, and delight an audience.

In this unit you’ll be introduced to the foundational elements of writing for performance, including the transferable skills and key differences between writing for the stage and screen.

Through a series of practical workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to hone a range of dramatic writing skills, including plotting, structure, dialogue, character, visual storytelling, and script editing, and gain valuable insights into working for the stage and screen industries.

While there are important differences between each medium, the building blocks of drama are the same, no matter which medium you’re writing for. This unit will give you the tools to recognise those building blocks, and apply them for yourself.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 2On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 2Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
candidature in a postgraduate award
Restrictions
THEA321
Combined units

Notes

offered in even-numbered years

Microsoft Word is sufficient for playwriting tasks. For screenwriting components, students can either format in Word, or download the free Celtx software program, or choose to purchase Final Draft.

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Richard Jordan
Richard JordanSenior Lecturer in Theatre and Performance - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate an applied comprehensive knowledge of different stage and screen narratives, structures, and genres;
  2. apply advanced expertise, independent creative thinking, and critical evaluation to the development of their own scripts, tailoring work to a particular medium;
  3. demonstrate advanced skills in writing dialogue and scenes within a clear structure incorporating character, action and ideas;
  4. apply a complex understanding of the relationship between text and performance and script and production; and
  5. apply expert creative judgement and critical analysis to their own outputs and the work of others.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Assessment 1: Script Exercise 1 and ExegesisYes20%All offerings

Script Exercise 1 and exegesis.

No. Words: 1500

Assessment 2: Script Exercise 2 and ExegesisYes20%All offerings

Script Exercise 2 and exegesis.

No. Words: 1500

Assessment 3: Major Script and ExegesisYes45%All offerings

No. Words: 3000

Assessment 4 (On Campus): Workshop TasksYes15%Trimester 2, On Campus

No. Words: 1000 (equivalent)

Assessment 4 (Online): Structured Forum TasksYes15%Trimester 2, Online

No. Words: 1000 (equivalent)

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

THEA321/521 Collected Readings

Theatre Studies Staff (eds), School of HASS, UNE

Note: Available from the United Campus Bookshops, UNE. All readings are also available on eReserve.

Text refers to: All offerings

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting

ISBN: 9780385339032

Field, S., Delta Revised 2005

Note: Paperback.

Text refers to: All offerings

Playwriting: Structure, Character, How and What to Write

ISBN: 9781848427907

Jeffreys, S., Nick Hern Books 2019

Note: Paperback.

Text refers to: All offerings

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