106-027 Writing Scripts

It is recommended that students wishing to continue with a major in creative writing also complete a first year subject in English literary studies as well as meeting the first year creative writing prerequisite (see below).

Usually 12.5 points of first year creative writing of either 106-186 Creative Writing: Autofictions or 760-101 Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice. This subject is available at second year level to Bachelor of Creative Arts students who have completed all first year BCA creative writing requirements.

This subject provides students with the chance to develop their own scriptwriting; through the study of course materials, through class discussions, workshop sessions and submission of draft material. Students will develop and draft a playscript, and should develop an understanding of the writing workshop process as well as an understanding of processes and choices involved in their own creative writing.

• access their own creativity and how to apply/focus it towards a particular objective (writing an original theatre/film script) and to better understand their own creative process/processes;

• use theoretical/research material to develop and challenge themselves intellectually and creatively and to develop and heighten self-awareness;

• demonstrate interpersonal skills of communication, collaboration and co-operation through attention to active listening, giving and receiving feedback etc. and how to reconceptualise and rewrite from feedback;

• be open to new ideas and possibilities and develop greater facility with language and writing;

Class participation 10%; a one-act playscript of 20 - 30 minutes with a short synopsis and introduction discussing the theatrical strategies you have used (equivalent to 3500 words) worth 75% (due at the end of semester); and a 500 word review of a play worth 15% (due at the end of semester). Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of workshops in order to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop.