Course coordinator
Associate Professor Venero Armanno
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
This course will introduce students to the basic skills of feature film screenwriting.
WRIT2120 will introduce beginning scriptwriters to the essential skills of writing for the screen, using the Hollywood feature film as our primary model. The course covers the industry-accepted standard format of film scripts and the shorthand conventions of film narrative. Students will learn the fundamentals of creating compelling screen-based characters; the theory and application of narrative film structure; dialogue tips; sustaining the suspension of disbelief; developing plot and theme; the strategic use of settings and timeframes; understanding narrative pacing through the accumulation of scenes into sequences and sub-story arcs; the function of genre; and critical professional issues related to scriptwriting and production.
The course is practice-oriented and focused exclusively on feature film writing. WRIT2120 will not cover documentaries, television series, soaps, or TV mini-series. Work in these forms cannot be submitted for assessment.
Students will analyse films and film sequences throughout the semester, including works from Indigenous filmmakers and international cinema, while developing their own original screenplay concepts. Regular in-class scriptwriting exercises form the foundation of the seminar and tutorial program. Attendance at these classes is mandatory and recorded. Work begun in class should be expanded upon in students' own time and will contribute to several assessment components.
Important Note: Understanding the proper usage of industry-standard screenplay formatting is essential across all assessment tasks and will be assessed accordingly.
Your course leader is Associate Professor Venero Armanno, a nationally and internationally published author of award-winning stories, anthologies and novels. He is also a trained screenwriter who has worked with many of Australia's leading film producers.
Classes will emphasise the presentation and workshopping of students' film ideas and screenplay materials. Students should be prepared to share and discuss their creative work in a collaborative forum. If students are unwilling to workshop their personal creative material in this environment, they should not enrol in this course.
Course requirements
Assumed background
While this is an introductory screenwriting course that assumes little or no prior knowledge of screenplay format or film writing conventions, it is a second-year undergraduate writing course. Students are expected to have strong language and communication skills, and a working understanding of fundamental storytelling principles, including character development, narrative structure, plot construction, thematic development, and the effective use of setting.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
4 units of BA courses
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
WRIT6120
Restrictions
Course offering may be cancelled unless a minimum of 20 students enrol.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Venero Armanno
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
This course develops students' understanding of feature film screenwriting and builds practical skills in the craft of screenplay writing. Through writing, analysis, and workshop practice, students will learn to identify and work with the essential components of a screenplay, plan and create their own screen narratives, and revise their work in response to feedback and critical reflection. While the course focuses primarily on the three-act Hollywood feature film structure, students will examine works from diverse cultural contexts, including international cinema and Indigenous filmmakers, and will consider the ethical dimensions of storytelling and representation in their own screenwriting practice.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and understand the components of a screenplay, and how they work together.
LO2.
Plan, prepare and create a screenplay.
LO3.
Edit, revise and further develop your screenplay, in response to feedback and personal reflection.
LO4.
Demonstrate appreciation of cultural and societal diversity.
LO5.
Understand the ethical issues of screenwriting, and apply them to your own practice.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Course Participation
|
10% |
23/02/2026 - 22/05/2026 |
| Creative Production/ Exhibition, Presentation |
Film Treatment & Oral Assessment
|
40% 800 words |
24/04/2026 4:00 pm
For the Oral Assessment, instructions with scheduling details will be provided in tutorials. Important Note: The maximum extension period for this assignment is 7 days, as the treatment forms the foundation for your final screenplay and must be completed before the oral assessment component. |
| Creative Production/ Exhibition |
Screenplay Assignment
|
50% 2500 words |
29/05/2026 4:00 pm
Submit via Blackboard |
Assessment details
Course Participation
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
23/02/2026 - 22/05/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
All students are expected to participate actively in course activities. Participation will be assessed through regular writing which should be commenced at home and brought to class for development. A key progressive writing task is the development of the Short Pitch Document, as detailed below. These exercises must be finished within the scheduled class time. Students who miss a class for legitimate medical or personal reasons should email the course coordinator promptly to explain their circumstances and arrange an alternative task to maintain their participation grade.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
PARTICIPATION – 10%
Course Tasks to be brought to each class
The weekly development of a Short Pitch Document leads naturally to the Film Treatment assignment (which will be due in Week 9).
Week 2: Concept Development (1%)
· PROJECT TITLE and COMPARATIVE PITCH (explain the comparison: 100 words)
Week 3: Screenplay (1%)
· Bring 2-3 pages of correctly formatted screenwriting (i.e of your own, relating to your film idea) to class.
Week 4: Logline (1%)
· Create two or three possible one-sentence LOGLINES for your film idea, and workshop these in class.
Week 5: Storyline (1%)
· Create a one paragraph description of the STORYLINE, and present it to your table for discussion.
Week 6: Creative Statement (1%)
· Develop a PERSONAL CREATIVE STATEMENT (this should be about 150 words) and discuss it with your table group.
Week 7: Full Short Pitch Document (1%)
· Complete the full Short Pitch Document (400-500 words) and bring it to class in the following Headings format:
- PROJECT TITLE
- LOGLINE (1 to 2 sentences only),
- COMPARATIVE SHORT PITCH (1 sentence only)
- One paragraph description of the STORYLINE.
- PERSONAL CREATIVE STATEMENT (this should be about 150 words)
Week 8: Treatment draft excerpt (1%)
· First 300 words of your Treatment—opening scene/sequence
By Week 9 when the treatment is due, students have built the entire foundation for their Treatment Assignment.
Weeks 9-11: Various workshopping tasks for an additional 3%
Total Participation marks possible: 10%
Submission guidelines
Participate in seminars and tutorials by following in-class writing and workshopping tasks, which will be reviewed in-situe by your course tutors. If you are unable to attend a seminar or tutorial for a valid reason, contact your tutor and you can be given an appropriate task in order to receive the participation mark.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please note: this is a class assessment item and students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal. Please contact your course coordinator directly to see if alternative arrangements are available.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Film Treatment & Oral Assessment
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Creative Production/ Exhibition, Presentation
- Weight
- 40% 800 words
- Due date
24/04/2026 4:00 pm
For the Oral Assessment, instructions with scheduling details will be provided in tutorials.
Important Note: The maximum extension period for this assignment is 7 days, as the treatment forms the foundation for your final screenplay and must be completed before the oral assessment component.
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning, Secure.
Task description
Part A: Film Treatment (800 words, +/- 10%)
Write an 800-word Film Treatment for your feature film idea, following the conventions and guidelines provided during the course. The treatment should present your story in present tense, third person, with appropriate detail regarding structure, character development, plot progression, and thematic elements. An information sheet with detailed guidelines will be available via Blackboard and discussed in classes.
Part A has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, the successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to acknowledge generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Part B: Oral Discussion (7-10 minutes, in-class)
Following submission of your treatment, you will complete a one-on-one discussion with your tutor during Weeks 10-12. These sessions are scheduled in designated marking blocks outside of regular seminar or tutorial time. Students will be advised of the discussion block they should attend.
The discussion tests your understanding of your own creative work and your ability to articulate the choices you made in developing your screenplay concept. You will respond to 2-3 questions about your treatment's story logic, character decisions, and structural choices.
Important Note: The Oral Discussion is a hurdle requirement for this assessment, marked on a Pass/Fail basis. Students who fail this hurdle for the first time will be allowed a second attempt via an interview about their work with the Course Coordinator in Week 13. No further attempts beyond that will be allowed. Students who do not attend or do not pass the Viva will receive a mark of 0/40 for the entire Film Treatment assignment, regardless of the quality of the written treatment.
- All presentations will be recorded for marking purposes via recording facilities available where the assessment takes place (eg. ECHO360, Zoom, camera device)
- Recordings will be retained by the School of Communication and Arts for at least 12 months from the release of the final grade for the course.
- Recordings will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed by authorised school staff for the purposes of:
- Moderation of marking;
- Provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
- Re-marking following a successful re-mark application.
Part B is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit the written Treatment via the "Assignment 2: Film Treatment" tab in BlackBoard.
Attend in-person your scheduled Oral Assessment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A mark of 0/40 will be received if the Oral Assessment is not attended, or receives a Fail.
Screenplay Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Creative Production/ Exhibition
- Weight
- 50% 2500 words
- Due date
29/05/2026 4:00 pm
Submit via Blackboard
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
Task description
Your Screenplay: based on your Film Treatment and other work, write either
(a) Your entire short film (for short films excerpts not allowed, it must be for the short film complete), or
(b) the first 2500 words of your screenplay (+ or - 10%), remembering always that one screenplay page roughly equals one minute of screen time.
(c) Please include a short statement indicating that you did not use AI for this task, or outline how you did use AI.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to acknowledge generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
In the first instance your final Screenplay assignment will be graded on its compliance with the correct screenplay format and requirements set out during the course.
Other marking criteria are:
- Originality & Filmic Qualities
- Structure & Plot
- Characterisation
- Writing Craft & Mechanics
(Note: all criteria do not have equal weight. You can check this assessment item’s rubric in BlackBoard)
Submission:
Submit via the "Assignment 3: Screenplay" tab in BlackBoard.
Submission guidelines
Submit via the "Assignment 3: Screenplay" tab in BlackBoard.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
- During the seminars & tutorials, students will view portions of selected films in order to illustrate various film writing techniques.
- In Blackboard, students will be provided with sample screenplays and reading materials.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (23 Feb - 01 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 1 - Your Screenwriting Journey Begins In this seminar we will provide an introduction to the Screenwriting course & begin to look at the various important elements of the contemporary screenplay. Information will be given about your various seminar exercises. |
Week 2 (02 Mar - 08 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 2 - Screen Narrative & Understanding Your First Assignment In this seminar we will
|
Week 3 (09 Mar - 15 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 3 - Screen Narrative (cont.)
|
Week 4 (16 Mar - 22 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 4 - Film Structure - Three Acts & the Mid-Point
|
Week 5 (23 Mar - 29 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 5 - Screen Characterisation & Dialogue
|
Week 6 (30 Mar - 05 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 6 - The Film Treatment
|
Mid-sem break (06 Apr - 12 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break |
Week 7 (13 Apr - 19 Apr) |
Tutorial |
Week 7 - Screen Adaptations & Workshopping From Week 7 our course moves into a tutorial format.
|
Week 8 (20 Apr - 26 Apr) |
Tutorial |
Week 8 - The Importance of Genre & Workshopping
|
Week 9 (27 Apr - 03 May) |
Tutorial |
Week 9 - Workshopping This week we will learn expert tips and tricks to get the most out of your screenwriting work. |
Week 10 (04 May - 10 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 10 - No Tutorial Classes this week, Oral Assessment Blocks Commence
|
Week 11 (11 May - 17 May) |
Tutorial |
Week 11 - Workshopping & Oral Assessments
|
Week 12 (18 May - 24 May) |
Tutorial |
Week 12 - Workshopping & Oral Assessments
|
Week 13 (25 May - 31 May) |
Seminar |
Week 13 - Final Seminar, Make-Up Oral Examinations
|
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
- Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
Communication Expectations
While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.
- Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.
- You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.
- You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.
- You can send email at any time, however please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).
- Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.