Information Package / Course Catalogue
Short Film Screenwriting
Course Code: RTS309
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 6
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to help students understand the fundamental characteristics of short film narrative, learn creative idea-development processes, and acquire the skills to write screenplays suited to the short film format.

Course Content

The course covers all stages of screenwriting, from developing short film concepts to creating characters and atmosphere, and from dramatic structure to dialogue writing. Additionally, by teaching professional screenplay formatting, students are guided to transform their creative ideas into technically viable scripts. Through theoretical readings, analysis of sample screenplays, and workshop sessions, the course aims to help students develop their own original short film screenplays and present them at the end of the term.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Develops original story ideas for short films.
2.Creates visual stories based on various starting points (such as photographs, news stories, objects, concepts, etc.).
3.Turns an idea into a synopsis and a treatment.
4.Learns the rules of dramatic structure and integrates them correctly into a short film screenplay.
5.Writes and develops short film scripts.
6.Applies the rules and formatting conventions of screenwriting.
7.Presents and defends the short film script which wrote in class.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Nash, P. (2013). Kısa Film Senaryosu Yazmak (Çev. Baysal, B.). Kalkedon.
2.Piper, J. (2013). Kısa Film Yapımı (Çev. Metin, G.). Say Yayınları.
3.Cooper, P. ve Dancyger, K. (2005). Kısa Film Yazmak (Çev. Güneş, S.). Es Yayınları.
4.Felando, C. (2015). Discovering Short Films: The History and Style of Live-Action Fiction Shorts. Palgrave Macmillan.
5.Raskin, R. (2002). The Art of the Short Fiction Film: A Shot by Shot Study of Nine Modern Classics. McFarland, Jefferson.
6.Can, A. (2005). Kısa Film. Tablet Kitabevi.
7.Gündel, N. & Erçetingöz, A. (2023). Kısa Filmler Ne Anlatıyor, Nasıl Anlatıyor?. Literatürk Yayınları.
8.Erçetingöz, A. & Gündel, N. (2023). Kısa Filmler Ne Anlatıyor, Nasıl Anlatıyor? 2. Literatürk Yayınları.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical & Practice
Explanations regarding the conduct and assessment of the course, and the presentation of resources.
Week 2 - Theoretical & Practice
Story, theme, and idea development: Creative thinking methods using example short films.
Week 3 - Theoretical & Practice
Narrative structure in short films. Analysis of narrative structures using examples of short films.
Week 4 - Theoretical & Practice
How do you write a short film script using screenwriting software?
Week 5 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Visual storytelling exercises
Week 6 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Visual storytelling exercises
Week 7 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Visual storytelling exercises
Week 8 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Visual storytelling exercises
Week 9 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Visual storytelling exercises
Week 10 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Writing loglines, premise, and synopsis based on a given theme.
Week 11 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Creating scenes and writing treatments.
Week 12 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Character development, conflict building.
Week 13 - Theoretical & Practice
Writing workshop: Dialogue.
Week 14 - Theoretical & Practice
Presentation of the scripts.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Assignment1%25
Assignment Examination1%10
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Lecture - Practice143270
Midterm Examination120121
Final Examination130131
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)150
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
OÇ-1
3
2
2
2
3
5
2
3
4
4
OÇ-2
3
3
3
5
3
3
5
4
OÇ-3
5
2
5
5
3
3
4
OÇ-4
4
4
3
3
5
2
3
4
4
OÇ-5
5
2
4
5
4
4
5
OÇ-6
4
2
2
5
3
2
4
OÇ-7
3
3
5
5
3
2
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026