CC
399-01 - SCREENWRITING
WEDNESDAY
12:00-2:40 MOAKLEY M216
|
Blackboard: http://plato.bridgew.edu/
This
course introduces students to the theory, craft, and business of film
writing. While the heart of the course
is the development an original feature-length screenplay, this class is more
than a simple “how-to” program as it turns a critical eye on screenwriting,
investigating the profession as both craft and commerce. Using a mixture of screenwriting texts,
video and Internet assignments, and individual and group activities, students
will become familiar with key screenwriting concepts such as character
development and three-act structure. No
prior experience is required, but a desire to think creatively and learn a
craft through writing and revision is a must.
Required Texts
Frensham, Raymond G. Teach Yourself Screenwriting. Lincolnwood, Illinois: NTC Publishing Group,
1996.
Additional texts will available in class and
online.
| Philosophy
While some lectures are necessary to insure common
ground for discussion, this course will succeed based on your willingness to
explore and share your experiences and creativity in thoughtful and meaningful
ways.
|
Attendance Attendance at all class sessions is
required. More than one absence will
drop your final grade, as will habitual lateness, leaving early, and leaving
during class. While I appreciate the
information, merely noting your absence or intended absence does not constitute
an excused absence. You cannot learn if you are not here.
This course has a zero-tolerance policy for
plagiarism: You cheat and you get a zero: A documented instance of cheating
will result in a zero (0) for the assignment and a notification of the Vice
President of Academic Affairs as outlined in the Academic Integrity section of
the College Catalog (http://www.bridgew.edu/Catalog/ugpol.htm). This could
result in expulsion.
| Technology This is not a web class, but new-media technologies are
an integral part of contemporary learning.
I expect you to have basic word-processing, e-mail, and web-browsing
skills. We will integrate Blackboard
(plato.bridgew.edu) into the class.
| Papers Screenplay assignments must be properly
formatted or they will not be accepted.
Other writing assignments must be typed and double-spaced, with proper
margins. Do not submit first drafts of
papers: edit your work for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and paragraph and
sentence structure. I grade papers for
form and content: the way you communicate affects what you communicate.
You
must turn in materials when they are due.
For late papers, I will drop a full grade per day after the due
date.
Evaluation
You must complete ALL assignments to pass the
course.
Information
on individual assignments will be available in class and online.
I
adhere to the school’s grading system:
A — Superior; B — Good; C — Satisfactory; D — Poor;
F — Failure.
This class involves a lot of writing and a constant
immersion in your work. As such, there
are multiple tasks, all of which ultimately lead toward the final project, your
first act. Due dates for each
assignment are listed below.
|
10% - Short Assignments (2% each) - 3 full story ideas - 25-word pitch - 5 loglines - 1 scene -
1-page cast description 5% -
Background description (1 page) 10% - Backstory (2-10 pages) 5% -
Character arc/motivation chart 10% - Complete three-act outline 20%
- 10-page treatment 5% - Act
One (30 pages) 5% - The pitch 20% - Revised Act One (30 pages) 10% - Participation |
Grade Scale
|
|
DATE/SUBJECT |
READING |
ASSIGNMENT DUE
|
|
W Jan 16 Formatting & Ideas |
Frensham 1, 2, & 3 |
|
|
W Jan 23 Developing Ideas |
Frensham 4 |
-3 full story ideas |
|
W Jan 30 Character |
Frensham 5 |
-25-word pitch -5 loglines -Background description (1 page) |
|
W Feb 6 Character Growth |
Frensham 6 |
-Backstory (2-10 pages -Cast description (1 page) |
|
W Feb 13 Structure |
Frensham 7 & 8 |
-Character arc/motivation chart |
|
W Feb 20 |
NO CLASS |
|
|
W Feb 27 |
|
-Complete outline |
|
DATE/SUBJECT |
READING |
ASSIGNMENT DUE
|
|
W Mar 6 & 13 Spring Break |
NO CLASS |
|
|
W Mar 20 Deep Structure & Emotion |
Frensham 9, 10 & 11 |
|
|
W Mar 27 |
Conferences |
-One scene |
|
W Apr 3 |
Conferences |
-10-page treatment |
|
W Apr 10 Rewriting |
Frensham 12 |
|
|
W Apr 17 |
Frensham 13 & 19 |
-Act One (30 pages) |
|
W Apr 24 |
Optional Conferences |
|
|
W May 1 |
Final Presentations |
“The pitch” |
|
W May 8 |
5 p.m. |
-Revised Act One (30 pages) |