Screenwriting: Theory and Practice

Undergraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MDIA 2016
Course ID icon
Course ID
200903
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
2
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This second-year course aims to familiarise students with a wide variety of approaches to writing for screen. Students will be introduced to the formal and industry-oriented expectations of a range of genres and formats, including writing for feature films, for streaming/series, and for fine art/installation. The course works to develop students technical skills in relation to this form of writing, in addition to affording opportunities to explore different genres and formats as they work towards a portfolio of short scripts.

  • Foundations
  • Features And Form
  • Shorts And Experiments

Course learning outcomes

  • Interpret, craft, and reflect critically on a broad range of screenwriting practices informed by expectations specific to different genres and platforms for distribution
  • Conceptualise short screenwriting projects, devise plans for their research and execution, and fulfil these to deadlines
  • Analyse creative, critical, and theoretical texts related to different screenwriting forms, informed by the global and historical contexts of their production
  • Write and revise polished creative and critical works and project pitches that demonstrate significant levels of clarity, insight, narrative innovation, sophistication, and understanding of industry expectations
  • Evaluate their own and others’ writing, both in seminar-based workshops and through written feedback

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A