This thesis consists of practice-led research in the form of a full-length script for a feature film; plus a 6000-word essay (exegesis). A summary of the script is as follows:

In New Zealand, 2047, a passionate graduating architect Annie must find a job in order to continue paying rent for herself and her sick mother. Unable to find any, she takes matters into her own hands, securing the contact details of an unconventional and eccentric property developer, Brent and successfully lands a job with him. She must move from Auckland to Whangarei and upon arrival, finds out the peculiar nature of her new employment. Annie is instructed to infiltrate a modern commune of climate refugees who live off-the-grid on a large block of land. Brent explains to Annie that a large corporation has the legal right to commandeer the land so together they can step in and buy the land, selling it back to the original owners whilst forging a deal to develop houses on the land. Annie would design the housing development and in return for a successful deal, Annie will get one of the houses for her and her family.

Annie is dropped off at the commune and successfully gains trust with the people living there, growing a strong relationship with one particular woman, Max. When Annie finds out the information required to secure a deal with the landowner, Annie realises she is on the wrong side. In a last ditch effort to save the commune, Annie convinces Brent to complete the deal in person, kidnapping him on the way before realising that it is too late.

The script is framed by an Exegesis which is a 6000-word essay on the subject of: (a) the genre of the script (b) the development process from synopsis to second draft