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Course Syllabus University of North TexasSpring2014
Intermediate ScreenwritingRTVF 4460
Meeting in Room RTFP 282
Tues11-2pm
Prerequisite(s): RTVF major status and RTVF 2010
Assistant Prof. Eugene Martin
Office location: RTVF Building Rm. 263
Office Hours: Tues10-11am and Wed 10-11am and by appointment
Email:
Course Description:
This course is an intensive writing workshop. Approaches to screenwriting will be covered from theoretical, historical and critical points of view. Several writing exercises will be done that will up to the creation of a final 10-page narrativescreenplay. Course time will include intensive writing workshops, screenings of films, exercises, and critiques.Students’ works-in-progress will be read aloud and discussed in class. We will examine the models of writing in the areas of the narrative short film, television drama, adaptation, and narrative feature film forms. During class you are required to participate in group projects. The instructor will explain this in detail in class. Please log into Blackboard for items that will be on digital reserve.
Class texts:
On Digital reserve: “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”, by Raymond Carver; “Pulp Fiction”, screenplay by Roger Avary and Quentin Tarantino; “Do The Right Thing”, screenplay by Spike Lee.
Course Objectives:
There are three main areas of learning that will be covered in the course.
A) Knowledge:
1) the art and craft of the role of the screenwriter
2) how a writer works collaboratively to achieve his/her vision in storytelling
3) how to write in the style of modern “spec”feature screenwriting format
4) techniques to develop characters; explore subtext, and develop compelling storylines
5) start to develop the craft of writing meaningful dialogue
6) the art of “hiding” exposition
7) how to create a final draft of a script that is ready for production and submission
B) Skills:
1) creatingdistinctive characters
2) writing techniques for working with a moving camera
3) writing techniques for creating dual dialogue scenes
4) story structure, narrative storytelling techniques
5) scene study and scene analysis
6) breaking down a script to prepare for filming –how to create a shot list and follow continuity as it applies to matched action and time.
7) introduction to the business of filmmaking
8) working with producers and directors
C) Attitudes/Personal development:
1) working collaboratively and developing clear communication skills
2) brainstorming, reflective, and problem solving skills
3) managing emotional responses to complex and demanding environments
4) tolerance for complexity and ambiguity
5) ethics of authorship, intention, and the relationship to audiences
6) learning to critique peers constructively
7) gain an understanding as to how to enter the motion picture and TV industries
8) learning to work responsibly and respectfully
Course Organization and Projects:
Assignments:
First Project: Write a short silent script, three pages.
Second Project: Adaptation. Adapt an existing piece of material into a short narrative film. Sources may include short stories, letters, diaries, news articles, plays, novels, oral histories, etc. 8 to 10 pages.
Final Project:Each student writes an original 10-minute short script. This project will be submitted in three stages; first, as a treatment; second, as a first draft; and third, as a final and completed screenplay.
Evaluation:
Grading:
First Project100 pts.
Second Project150 pts.
Final Project200 pts.
Participation/attendance:50 pts.
Total500 pts.
Grading Criteria: You must have excellent attendance and participation to receive an “A” in the class.Three unexcused absences will equal one whole letter grade drop. It is the instructors’ expectation that you will not use a cell phone (unless this is a specific accommodation that you arrange with the instructor) during class. Late Assignments: For every week an assignment is late, one letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for that assignment. Assignments are to be handed in and printed on paper when the instructor assignsthedue date.
Spring2012Calendar:
Week 1 – Intro towriting screenplay spec format. Definitions of a treatment vs. synopsis. Brainstorming session to create list of transitions. Break down screenplay format into workable elements.
Week 2 –Review the first assignment due, the three-page silent film. Screen selected shorts from Advanced Film 2010-2012.
Week 3 – The workshop process. Work groups in class do editing of each other scripts.
Screening from The Sopranos, episode 4, season 1, “College”.
Week 4 –Final draft of the first project is due. Discussion - The American Short story form. Raymond Carver to Juno Diaz. Screen 70-minute feature film.
Week 5 – Lecture on the art and craft of film adaptation. Screen feature film. Discuss parameters of the assignment.
Week 6 – Students “pitch” to the class their adaptation idea.
Week 7 – First draft due in class of second assignment.
Week 8 – Working draft of second assignment due.
Week 9 -- Final draft due of Adaptation.
Week 10 – Scene analysis techniques. Discuss scenes from “Heat”.
Week 11 – Students “pitch” their final script ideas.
Week 12 –1 page treatment due of final script.
Week 13 - First Draft due of final script.
Week 14 - Meetings with each student to review final edits.
Week 15 – Final scripts are due.
Disability Accommodation:
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at. You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.