8/31/2024 10:11:37 PM |
| New Course (First Version) |
CATALOG INFORMATION
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Discipline and Nbr:
MEDIA 22 | Title:
SCREENWRITING |
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Full Title:
Screenwriting |
Last Reviewed:2/12/2018 |
Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 6 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
|
| Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total 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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An introduction to the fundamentals of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, dialogue, plotting, and formatting as they are used in creating scripts for film and television.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Completion of ENGL 100B or higher (V8) OR Qualifying Test Score of 125 in ENGL
Recommended Preparation:
Completion of MEDIA 10
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
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An introduction to the fundamentals of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, dialogue, plotting, and formatting as they are used in creating scripts for film and television.
(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:Completion of ENGL 100B or higher (V8) OR Qualifying Test Score of 125 in ENGL
Recommended:Completion of MEDIA 10
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
Associate Degree: | Effective: | | Inactive: | |
Area: | | |
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CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
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IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
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CSU Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 2012 | Inactive: | |
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UC Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 2012 | Inactive: | |
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C-ID: |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Not Certificate/Major Applicable
COURSE CONTENT
Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of screenplay format.
2. Describe screenwriting business practices in the film industry.
3. Analyze a screenplay from an industry reader's perspective.
4. Analyze and demonstrate the use of the "three act" structure.
5. Analyze and demonstrate the use of various character elements including:
(a) character arc;
(b) use of foils, protagonists, & antagonists; and
(c) revelation of character qualities through dramatic action.
6. Create dialogue and subtext that demonstrates verisimilitude.
7. Compose at least one act (or at least 30 pages) of polished screenwriting.
Topics and Scope
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I. Structuring and Plotting
A. Three-Act structure
B. Character arcs
C. The Hero's Journey and other popular structural models
D. Treatments
II. Formatting
A. Master scenes
B. Software and page set-up features
C. Transitions, camera angles, sound effects, and special effects
D. Produced scripts vs. speculative scripts
III. Writing
A. Treatments
B. Character histories
C. Sequences, scenes, and beats
D. Action
E. Dialogue and subtext
F. Studio coverage on a produced script
IV. Revising
A. Workshops
B. Peer critiques
V. Film Analysis
A. Film grammar
B. Film genres
VI. Marketing
A. Pitching
B. Marketing the speculative "spec" script
Assignments:
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1. Readings: (40 to 50 pages per week)
a. Reading and analysis of representative screenplays
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
3. Writing: (90 to 120 pages)
a. Weekly creative assignments dealing with various topics such
as format, dialogue, characterization
b. A major screenplay project
4. Participation in group activities, in-class workshops, peer critiques, optional quizzes, and exams
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 70 - 80% |
Written homework, script development, screenplay | |
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving 0 - 0% |
None | |
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 - 20% |
Quizzes, Exams | |
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category 0 - 20% |
Class Participation and Group Work | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Making a Good Script Great, 3rd ed. Seger, L. Silman-James Press: 2010
Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. Field, S. Delta Press: 2005
The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script, 5th ed. Trottier, D. Silman-James Press: 2010
Writing the Screenplay, 2nd ed. Armer, A. A. Waveland: 2002 (Classic)
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