SRJC Course Outlines

12/21/2024 6:19:15 AMMEDIA 78 Course Outline as of Summer 2012

Inactive Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  MEDIA 78Title:  WRITING FOR FILM/TV  
Full Title:  Writing for Film & Television
Last Reviewed:1/24/2000

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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Writing for the visual media is one of the most important modern communication skills.  This course covers theory and practice of writing drama and comedy scripts for film and television.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Completion of ENGL 357, MEDIA 41, MEDIA 42, MEDIA 77, MEDIA 79A.

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Analysis of the theory, form & practice of writing for film & television.  Emphasis on writing original scripts.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Completion of ENGL 357, MEDIA 41, MEDIA 42, MEDIA 77, MEDIA 79A.
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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The students will:
1.  Utilize dramatic theory in writing for film and television.
2.  Identify and select material appropriate to a particular medium.
3.  Evaluate character motivation and psychology.
4.  Assess and employ methods of non-verbal communication in writing.
5.  Plan and organize story and character elements into dramatic
   plotting.
6.  Describe how conflict and goals are translated into action by
   characters.
7.  Describe the function of the script in relation to the entire
   production process.
8.  Identify industry requirements for writing in film and television.

Topics and Scope
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1.  Aristotlean, Elizabethan and contemporary dramatic theory as
   applied to writing for film and television.
2.  The definition, function, and creation of characters. How character
   functions in relation to plot.
3.  The interaction of main and subplots. Theme and plot. How to plot
   a story. Multi-level plotting.
4.  Dialogue as a function of character. Verbal versus non-verbal
   communication in drama. Attributes of good dialogue.
5.  Film grammar and its place in writing. Manipulation of time and
   space. Camera angle and story telling logic.
6.  Economic and industury factors bearing on the creative process.
7.  Learning to write in the proper format.
8.  How to select and evaluate story. The importance of tone and setting.

Assignments:
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1.  Readings:
     A. Reading and analysis of representative screenplays, novels,
        and short stories.
     B. Style handbook for proper writing formats.
     C. Periodical literature pertinent to screenwriting topics and
        to the film and television industry which applies to the
        writer and the writing process.
2.  Screenings and discussions of representative feature films and
   television programming. Analysis of the changes which occur between
   the written word and its visual image.
3.  Writing:
     A. Weekly creative assignments dealing with various topics such
        as format, dialogue, characterization.
     B. A major course project consisting of an original comedic or
        or dramatic script for film or television 60 pages in
        length.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
60 - 75%
Written homework, Term papers
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
20 - 30%
Homework problems
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
15 - 30%
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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WRITING THE SCREENPLAY, Alan A. Archer, Wadsworth, 2nd ed., 1993
ON THE WATERFRONT, Budd Schulberg, Samuel French Publishing, 1988
FIVE SCREENPLAYS BY PRESTON STURGES, University of California, 1985
THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, John Huston, University of Wisconsin
Press, 1979

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