Scriptwriting
Course Description and Prerequisites
Scriptwriting VF135H
In-person meeting time: Tuesdays 4PM-5:15PM
Online components: asynchronous
3 credits
SP 2022
Course Description:
Every great project starts with a concept which needs to be molded into a script. This course will start at the beginning of story development to examine the classical narrative paradigm used in the majority of both independent and Hollywood filmmaking. There is a strong focus on standardized script formatting, story structure, character development, story arcs, and scene analysis. Students will use industry standard software to cultivate an original concept that they design throughout the stages of story development into a finished screenplay that a production team could then schedule, budget, shoot, and edit a completed film.
Prerequisites: none
Instructor Information
Kris Bridges M.Ed., B.S., A.S
WCC Room 223¬
bridgesk@husson.edu
207-941-7000 ext.7917
Office Hours: M: 12pm-2pm W: 9:30am-11:30am / 2pm-4pm Th: 12pm-2pm
Confirmed by Appointment
Textbook & Required Materials
Syd Field, Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting (revised edition) ISBN 0-385-33903-8
Required Program (s): Students will need to download and use Adobe Acrobat Reader. This can be done on a lab computer or a personal machine. Students have the option of using Husson the WCC223 computer lab or if they prefer to use their personal machines, they can download the free trial version of Final Draft 12. Please do not do this until asked by your instructor - the trial version has a limitation on the number of weeks it can be used. If you download prematurely your trial will run out before the course ends.
Course Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
By the end of the semester, you should be better able to assess your own work and make an argument about where you are in your learning.
1. Analyze scripts from films and dramatic television to reveal structure and affective style.
2. Practice techniques that enable content creation and writing discipline.
3. Develop three-dimensional characters for inclusion in a screenplay by evaluating character archetypes and dialogue.
4. Identify and analyze scenes, sequences and plot points within a three-act structure with the goal of developing your own script.
5. Demonstrate proper screenplay formatting using industry standard software.
6. Pitch script ideas for development and sale.
Assessment Mapping
|
|
Week |
SLO |
Readings / required viewings / tasks completed before class |
Topic |
Active Learning Activities |
|
|
1 |
1,2 |
|
Loglines |
Logline Examples |
|
|
2 |
2 |
Reading Chapter 1
|
How to overcome writer’s block with random trips to “The Well” |
Creativity Exercise |
|
|
3 |
1,5 |
Prepare Loglines
|
Structure and script formatting Field’s paradigm
|
Read loglines to class “Script by numbers” |
|
|
4 |
1,4 |
Read a provided script Know: what is character?
|
Premise & Dramatic situation What is the subject?
|
Read loglines to class Watch provided script first act |
|
|
5 |
3 |
Reading Ch2, Ch3. Pages 31 to 58
|
Creation of Your Characters Who are characters and what do they do? Dramatic Need |
|
|
|
6 |
3 |
Reading Chapter 4&5 Have answered ½ your character Bio |
Building Character / Jungian Archetypes |
Character Mashups exercise |
|
|
7 |
3 |
Have finished your character Bio |
Dialog Verbal rule/Verbal strategy |
Character Mashups exercise |
|
|
8 |
1,4 |
Module Reading ‘ Act 1
|
ACT 1 to ACT II Midpoint (Pinch) |
|
|
|
9 |
1,2,4 |
Module Reading Act 2 |
ACT II Midpoint through ACT III |
Outlining Cards |
|
|
10 |
2,4 |
Module Reading Act 3 Index Cards |
Scenes, Sequences and Organization |
Outlining Cards |
|
|
11 |
1,2,4,5 |
Index Cards |
Final Draft Disciplined Writing
|
Dog Day Afternoon Part 1 |
|
|
12 |
1,4 |
Act 1 |
Move your fingers Disciplined Writing
|
Dog Day Afternoon Part II |
|
|
13 |
1,4 |
Act II Part 1 |
Disciplined Writing
|
Dog Day Afternoon Part III |
|
|
14 |
2,6 |
Act II Part 2 |
The 1 minute pitch |
Song title exercise
|
|
|
15 |
1,2,4,6 |
ACT III Finished Rough Draft |
You’ve finished your first draft How to approach draft 2 |
How to talk about you script exercise Next Steps. |
Evaluation and Grading
Exercises/Homework: 35%
Quizzes: 25%
Script Benchmarks: 40%
Zoom Proctoring
In the event that faculty utilize remote proctoring as a tool to monitor the use of remote exams, proctoring via Zoom is an option.
- A laptop capable of supporting Canvas, Examplify, and Zoom
- A second device that is capable of supporting both video and audio Zoom meetings for remote proctoring
- Suitable Internet connection to facilitate and sustain video and audio Zoom meetings
Canvas Information
Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.
- husson.instructure.com
- For Canvas, Passwords, or any other computer-related technical support contact the Husson Help Desk. (Links to an external site.)
- (207) 973-1000
- https://helpdeskticket.husson.edu/ (Links to an external site.).
Grading Rubrics
Please include all of the rubrics that you plan on using in this course – be sure that all of the rubric dimensions (lines in a rubric) are aligned to your intended outcomes or indicators.
Class Policies
Links to University Policies and student protections as well as student services can be found on the left navigation panel under the link "Student Policies and Support Resources." You can also find a link to information about how to navigate Canvas.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Tentative Schedule of Assignments
See "Assessment Mapping" above.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|