My thesis is creative practice as research, comprising a creative artifact (a screenplay) accompanied by a critical component (an exegesis). This conforms to AUT University’s guidelines for a ‘Format Three’ thesis, as described in the Postgraduate Handbook 2021, which states ‘practice does not serve to illustrate theory but is more appropriately understood as the site of research; the exegesis relates directly to the practice-oriented work and as such does not have a research topic or question of its own; the purpose of the exegesis is to elucidate and clarify the relationship between the central concept, key contexts, relevant critical context’ (pp. 109-113).

Accordingly, in my exegesis, I provide a discussion that overviews the creative work, which will include:

• A synopsis of the creative component and an explanation of my intentions
• A review of key texts relevant to the development of the creative work, in the form of a comparative analysis
• A detailed description of the process and methodology used, and a reflection on the outcomes of this creative practice as research
• Discussion of theoretical, historical, and critical context where relevant