Scriptwriting
PostgraduateSWI-PWR700052025
Previously SWI-PWR80002
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Learn the skills behind the scripts of your favourite films and productions, including structure, character, dialogue and more. Learn to critique genres and theoretical approaches – before lifting your pen and unleashing your inner scriptwriter.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 24 Aug 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $3,760
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Scriptwriting
About this subject
After successfully completing this subject, you will be able to:
- Assess and critically reflect on a range of scriptwriting platforms, forms, and genres for stage and screen, and also investigate theoretical approaches to scriptwriting.
- Demonstrate high level creative and practical skills in the production of their scripts, specifically in relation to the writerly elements of plot, character, dialogue, and structure, and apply complex critical and creative theories related to the practice of scriptwriting to their own work and the work of others.
- Generate a section of script from plan to final draft and create both industry standard supporting documentation and complex reflexive theorisations about their practice and project, and the practice and projects of others.
- What makes a good scripted story
- Building the plotline, including backstory, core story, forward story
- Characterisation and dialogue
- Setting
- Serialisation
- Writing for stage
- Adaptation
- The pitch and outline
- Professional layout
Students will investigate the art of visual storytelling and explore a range of techniques for the creation of story elements such as structure, character, dialogue, adaptation and layout. The subject also explores how cultural and critical theories offer frameworks for understanding film, television and multimedia.
Please note: Assessment values are indicative only; details will be advised at the start of the subject.
- Outline, script sample, pitch (60%)
- Weekly Discussion Threads (12) (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 19
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 14
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
SWI-PWR70003 (Not currently available)
SWI-PWR80002 (Not currently available)
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.