SCREENWRITING 1

SCREENWRITING 1 – (COM 340-B & WRI 340-B)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In this class the student prepares for and begins a narrative, feature-length screenplay.

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES / COURSE OBJECTIVES:
• To create and develop a story idea.
• To utilize various plotting and character development tools.
• To understand and apply the concept of theme.
• To develop and personalize the Writing Process.
• To prepare the student to market their work.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will have a working knowledge of:

• The Critique Process
• Character Development
• Plot Structure
• Thematic Analysis
• The Writing and Re-writing Process
• Basic Marketing for Screenwriters

GRADING OPPORTUNITIES:

Screenplay in Progress 50%
Participation & Attendance 30%
Tests & Quizzes 20%

SCREENPLAY IN PROGRESS – PROJECT CRITERIA – 50% OF GRADE

The screenplay that the student prepares for and starts counts 50% of the final grade. All work towards this goal will be handed in as it is completed and added to an individual student folder. All work will be submitted in HARD COPY. There are five different categories of this work.

1. General Concept Outlines
2. Plot Summaries and Breakdowns
3. Character Charts and Outlines
4. Thematic Analysis
5. Actual Screenplay Work

Since a variety of approaches to much of this work will be covered in class lectures, the students have the option of tailoring their projects with a certain degree of personal preference. All of the areas, however, must be covered in order to receive full credit for this component. Each category will count for 10% of the total (50% of the final grade) and will be evaluated on the following scale.

GRADING CRITERION:
This general grading criterion might not be applicable to all categories, but can be used as a project guide in relation to the overall student learning objectives for the course:
• concept 25%
• preparation 25%
• execution 25%
• presentation 25%

Concept is based on your ideas leading up to the project. Did you explore all viable story options for the project? Did you solve all the planning problems/issues with the given story? The start of your process is the concept.

Preparation is based on the tools used in designing the layout of your story, the development of your characters and the exploration of your theme.

Execution is based on artistic rendering of the script. Did you imaginatively assemble the elements of your story into an aesthetically pleasing screenplay?

Presentation is based on your technical aspects of the project. Do you have any typos? Are there technical issues with your project that take away from its presentation? The end of your process is the presentation.

PARTICIPATION CRITERIA – 30% OF GRADE

Participation is broken down into three areas, each worth 10% of the final grade:

1. Attendance – see below.
2. In-Class Discussion – Classes are conducted in the round as a story conference. You will be called upon to participate during every class session.
3. The Class Blog – http://scriptwriting-tom.blogspot.com

Joining, posting and making comments on the Class Blog is a component of the Participation Requirement.


TESTS & QUIZZES – 20% OF GRADE

Four short tests/quizzes will be given at random during the semester to verify the completion and understanding of various home viewing assignments. Each will be worth 5% of the Final Grade. No make-ups.

TEXTBOOK AND STUDY MATERIALS::

A subscription to Netflix (streaming only) is highly recommended. Various films will be assigned for home viewing and all such assignments will be “streamable” on Netflix. It costs $8 per month and the first month is usually free if you don’t already have it. If you do not get this service, make arrangements to watch with a friend or classmate or get the title from the library.

There are NO REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS for this class, but there are some…

RECOMMENDED TEXTS:

• “Screenplay” – (Syd Field)
• “The Writer’s Journey” – (Volger)
• “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” – (Campbell)
• “The Poetics” – (Aristotle)

At this point there are five films you will be required to view as homework.

• 8 ½
• Chinatown
• The Bicycle Thief
• High Noon
• The Last Laugh

These will be assigned as need arises, subject to class discussions.

GENERAL BREAKDOWN OF SUBJECT BY WEEK

These subjects will be treated in the following order but may vary in the time we spend on them. For a more complete listing of course details, read over the “brainstorming” notes in the next section.

1. The nature of storytelling
2. What is a screenplay?
3. Classic structure
4. Plot
5. Character
6. Theme
7. Writing tools & formatting
8. Writing
9. Notes & critiques
10. Re-writing & polishing
11. Marketing
12. Collaboration
13. Adaptation
14. Alternative story types & styles

SCREENWRITING CLASS BRAINSTORM

Here are thirty or so more specific subjects which will be covered during the course. I look forward to you adding to the list as the subject unfolds and the need arises. Please consider this a work in progress. You may treat it as an informal checklist.

What is a story?
What are the elements of a story?
Why do we tell stories?
What is a character?
What is a theme?
What is the “spine” of a story?
Tell a story in one sentence.
(1-3-7) A plotting exercise.
What are plot holes and how do you fill them?
Wants, needs and fears.
What is good dialogue and how do you write it?
What is back story?
What are motifs?
What is layering?
Set-ups and payoffs.
What is proper formatting?
What does a professional screenplay look like?
Who really reads your screenplay?
How do you pitch a story idea?
What is the “size” of a story?
What about adaptations?
What is story structure?
How do you market your finished screenplay?
What are notes?
What about re-writes?
How do you edit and polish a script?
What is the nature of a writing collaboration?
How does a screenwriter work with Producers and Directors?
What are the five story types?
How many Master Plots are there?
How do you develop good writing habits?
How do you break the rules?
What are the alternative markets for screenwriters?


CONTACT INFO: Tom Hammond – 813-900-4759 – thammond1946@yahoo.com