1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Serial Storytelling

Serial Storytelling (CWRI40017)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2018 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
You’re currently viewing the 2018 version of this subject

Overview

Availability
Semester 1
FeesLook up fees

Students will read a range of fictional and non-fictional serial narratives written in the late 20 th and early 21 st centuries for newspapers, radio, film and television, such as Maupin’s Tales of the City books, Miller’s Mad Max films, or Breaking Bad. Students will analyse these texts with a focus on the relationship between serial distribution and storytelling form, and with particular attention given to historical transformations and new developments. Students will also read critical approaches to serial narrative concentrating on textual forms, genre, criticism, technologies of production and distribution, industrial formations of production and distribution, cultural contexts, and modes of audience engagement. Students will work to devise a concept outline for an original serial narrative for print, audio or screen (e.g. film franchise, television series, web series), and write selected installments.

This subject is only available to students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts Honours (Creative Writing), Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) Creative Writing, the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing, Master of Global Media Communications, Master of Marketing Communications, or the Master of Arts and Cultural Management.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject will:



  • Gain knowledge of the development of a serialised story concept, including devising the long-form concept, pitching the work, workshopping, drafting and structuring, and the preparation of selected installments;
  • Develop, through workshopping and completion of assessment tasks, an understanding of the concepts, conditions and history that underpin the development of serial storytelling;
  • Have a complex, comparative understanding of serial storytelling formations for various media and in different historical circumstances;
  • Evaluate serialised stories in various media within a broader context and with understanding of the concepts, conditions and history that underpin the development of serial storytelling;
  • Have the ability to workshop, analyse and give constructive feedback on story concepts and drafts for long-form stories in a range of media;
  • Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the mechanics of serialised storytelling, including segmentation, story arcs, multilinear stories and character development;
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the vocational possibilities in serialised storytelling, and be able to articulate an advanced understanding of industrial and creative contexts for their own long-form stories.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

  • Analyse and evaluate a variety of texts;
  • Participate in discussion and group activities and increase their creative and critical skills through workshopping and collaboration;
  • Independently devise and articulate a creative work in both verbal and written modes; and
  • Conceptualise, prepare and present their creative projects at an advanced level.

Last updated: 30 January 2024