Writers and storyliners who work at a senior level in a range of film, television and digital media productions apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Writers take script development from concept to treatment, outline or storyline, while storyliners develop storylines for ongoing narrative material, and turn story outlines into structured formats, such as scene breakdowns. They work collaboratively with story editors, script producers and script editors.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Plan and prepare to write production material

1. Define appropriate script-writing construction, style and formats for given type of production and clients

2. Define and develop ideas and concepts of the given production material, including analysis of genre, audience and purpose

3. Develop elements of narrative, including visual and aural narrative components, dialogue, and other communication techniques, such as symbols and icons, to convey information in production material

Develop storylines or treatments

4. Identify components of script development required by concept proposals

5. Develop concepts to synopsis stage or equivalent as required by type of production format or genre

6. Develop treatment and scene breakdown as required by type of production format or genre

7. Evaluate narrative development with relevant personnel as required and incorporate feedback

8. Develop material in appropriate format for story conferencing or pitch presentation to client

Finalise storylines or treatments

9. Present materials for discussion to production team responsible for story conferences or pitching to clients

10. Redraft materials incorporating feedback from production team

11. Ensure that relevant production material is ready for next stage of production and is completed within agreed timeframes and budget requirements

Required skills

communication and literacy skills sufficient to:

interpret and clarify briefs and production documentation

prepare comprehensive presentations and concept proposals

present proposals to team members and respond positively to constructive feedback

apply correct grammar, spelling and punctuation

analyse genre, audience and purpose

apply redrafting skills

self-management and planning skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

develop clear goals, outlines and outcomes

seek out and participate in professional development activities

technical skills sufficient to use standard word processing applications

ability to work as a member of a team in developing production materials to time and budget

initiative and enterprise sufficient to:

develop original, innovative and creative approaches in the script-writing process

experiment with narrative styles and elements to develop a creative long-term vision

extend creative boundaries for self and audience

find creative solutions to problems identified during the process of story conferencing or preparing pitch presentations

locate and use resources to broaden own creative experience

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of project team members

issues and challenges that arise when developing storylines and treatments

well-developed understanding of storytelling techniques appropriate to a range of screen and media contexts

in-depth knowledge of script-writing narrative, structure and formats appropriate to genre and production methods

communication techniques, including active listening, questioning and non-verbal communication

organisational and legislative OHS requirements as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to write narrative outlines for media productions

ability to gather ideas and concepts using a range of techniques

ability to apply effective narrative and structural techniques and appropriate formats to given storylines and treatments

ability to prepare production material for a story conference or pitch presentation

ability to apply effective interpersonal communication techniques.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a computer and the internet

access to a range of resources as listed in the range statement for the development of ideas and concepts

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

evaluation of storylines and treatments developed by the candidate and their quality in terms of addressing production or client requirements

written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBCRT501A Originate and develop concepts

CUFWRT601A Write scripts

CUFWRT602A Edit scripts.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Productions may include:

advertisements/commercials

animation

children's television

corporate and training films and videos

digital media productions

documentaries

educational sequences

feature films and videos

film adaptations

games

live events and performances

short films and videos

television comedy, such as situation comedy

television miniseries

television series and serials.

Clients may include:

commercial service or product provider

screen and media personnel, including:

commercial producer

script producer

script editor

creative producer

creative director

executive producer

executive director

director

documentary producer.

Developing ideas and concepts may require:

gathering information from a variety of sources, including literary, film, television or digital media models

generating, exploring and recording a range of ideas for the design of stories

incorporating a range of narrative elements, e.g.:

visual drama

narrative pace

appropriate disruption of narrative

changes of visual narrative

music and sound effects

gestures

non-verbal communication

physicality

objects and icons conveying information

using resources for developing ideas and concepts, such as:

inspiration

imagination

life experience

actual events and facts

existing narrative material

other media

travel

observation

different experiences

using techniques for developing ideas and concepts, such as:

brainstorming

exercises

asking questions

role-playing

making analogies

looking at the subject from different viewpoints

innovation

Genre may include:

film, e.g.:

thriller

horror

road movie

romance

science fiction

action

western

comedy

film-noir

crime

historical

cinéma vérité

documentary

television, e.g.:

police series

prison series

comedy

historical series

family series

documentary.

Elements of narrative may include:

character

conflict

elements that establish genre in the script, including:

premise

story

narrative structure

causality

turning points

story development

story set-ups in opening sequence

genre

plot and story

setting

structure

theme.

Visual and aural narrative components may include:

convergence of image, music and text

gestures and non-verbal communication

metaphors, objects, icons and visual meaning

music and sound effects

musicality:

rhythm

beat

accent

physicality

signs and meanings

visual characterisation

visual forms of storytelling.

Components of script development may include:

development of client brief with negotiation

development of digital concepts outline, treatment and storyline

drafting process

pitching the script and feedback

product design

product hooks

scene breakdown

story conferencing and feedback

synopsis

treatment.

Synopsis may include:

analysis of:

structure and elements

opening scenes

film elements - light, sound, film culture and story

approach

characters

style

theme.

Treatment and scene breakdown may include:

analysis of appropriate approach for documentary, which may include cinéma vérité, docu-drama, direct address, interview or alternative approach

best practice for television series:

background and potential motivations of central characters

exposure of major characters

storylines around motivation, behaviour patterns and attitudes

dramatic events consistent with character and structure of potential series

concepts, themes, closing scenes and story hooks for series or serial

dialogue and character in genre and format

formats for television, such as episode capsules, pilots and soap operas

map of script development

narrative and structure

plot and subplot outlines, opening plan, character survey and storylines for feature

scene sequences and characters

story hooks

visual and aural narrative.

Relevant personnel may include:

broadcasters

clients

digital media technical staff

directors

funding bodies

performers

producers

script editors

storyliners

writers

other technical/specialist staff.

Story conferencing may include:

discussion of:

storylines

structure

elements

feedback from production team.

Pitch presentation may include:

image and product design

story or product hooks

storylines.

Unit sector

Communication - writing

This unit contains employability skills.