Application
This unit describes skills and knowledge required to write a wide range of comedic scripts for TV, film and theatre, and for a range of other media. Writers of comedy may also work on texts with a comedic element including novels, short stories, copywriting, advertising, children’s stories, comic strips and animations.
It applies to individuals who as writers of comedy draw on a range of experiences, observations and research. The process includes the conception, drafting and redrafting, considering the requirements of the media or performance platform.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Determine purpose, concept and intended form of output for comedy script | 1.1 Identify purpose for writing comedy script according to professional, creative or personal standards and guidelines 1.2 Develop concept for comedy script according to identified purpose, using a range of resources and techniques including journals, notebooks, interviews, writing exercises, observations, reading and research 1.3 Define form of output for comedy script according to its intended audience, style and format. 1.4 Confirm purpose, concept and form of output with appropriate sources 1.5 Determine language, tone and length of comedy script appropriate for the comedy script’s purpose, concept and form |
2. Plan and prepare to write comedy script | 2.1 Develop timeline and approach for drafting and completing the comedy script 2.2 Research and gather information about the intended concept and form of the comedy script 2.3 Identify relevant copyright and intellectual property requirements |
3. Create draft comedy script | 3.1 Use safe work practices including addressing ergonomic requirements when undertaking writing tasks 3.2 Draft comedy script according to identified purpose, concept and intended form of output 3.3 Evaluate and revise draft comedy script to ensure it meets the identified purpose, concept and intended form of output 3.4 Proofread draft comedy script to ensure grammar, punctuation and spelling are appropriate for concept and form of output |
4. Complete the comedy script. | 4.1 Seek, consider and use feedback from appropriate sources to ensure draft comedy script meets intended purpose, concept and form of output 4.2 Confirm with appropriate sources that comedy script complies with copyright and intellectual property requirements 4.3 Complete agreed modifications and produce final draft within required timelines |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Analyses and interprets textual information from various sources Compares material from multiple information sources Applies appropriate strategies to check texts for accuracy |
Writing | Generates complex written texts, demonstrating a broad range of writing styles and techniques Selects vocabulary, grammatical structures and conventions appropriate to the text and audience Creates documents using language, format and style appropriate to the context and audience |
Oral communication | Uses clear language to articulate personal understandings, ideas and opinions |
Numeracy | Estimates time required for production tasks, creates timeframes and calculates resource requirements |
Navigate the world of work | Understands responsibilities and complies with copyright and intellectual property requirements relevant to writing tasks |
Interact with others | Collaborates with others to achieve writing goals Selects and uses communication practices and protocols appropriate to audience |
Get the work done | Adopts a logical and methodical approach in planning, organising and completing requirements within timelines Develops new and innovative ideas through exploration and analysis |
Sectors
Communication - Writing