Cinema 435 - Writing the Primetime Drama

CINEMA 419b – SENIOR THESIS IN DRAMATIC TELEVISION SPRING 2015 #19210

Prof: Lance Gentile [email protected]

OFFICE HOURS: Available before or after class for individual meetings. Email any time.

TERM DATES: JANUARY 14, 2015 – MAY 13, , 2015 TIME: WED 10A-12:50P LOCATION: SCA 345

THE POINT: To create an original one-hour DRAMA SERIES.

THE CLASS: A writing staff whose job is to produce the same number of quality episodic television series as there are class members. Collaborative script development and analysis are ESSENTIAL TV writer/producer skills. ** Verbal and written notes on your fellow writers work is as important as the writing itself.

In the second semester of thesis course, you’ll further develop your DRAMA SERIES, producing a SERIES BIBLE and writing a MIDSEASON EPISODE. You will also revise your PILOT, based on further development.

You’ll be responsible for getting e-mail of your written material to each member of class by 7:00AM SAT MORNING, three days in advance of workshop session. There will be a schedule of whose work is to be discussed in class each week. You’ll be expected to provide written notes on a HARD COPY of your fellow writer's material in class and to participate in table discussion of material.

GRADES: Attendance: Mandatory. Series Bible: 5% Series Bible Analyses: 5% Episode Pitch: 5% Pitch analyses: 5% Story Arena: 5% Story arena analyses: 5% Story outline: 10% Outline analyses: 10% Script and revision: 25% Script analyses: 15% Class participation (verbal analysis of fellow writer’s work): 10% Writing Division Attendance Policy: Students are expected be on time and prepared for each class. Two unexcused absences will result in your grade being lowered by one full point (ex: AB). A third unexcused absence will result in your grade being lowered another full point (ex: BC). Two late arrivals equates to one full absence. Four, request to withdraw from course.

Deadlines: Mandatory. Just like TV. **Unexcused missed deadlines lose workshop time**

Episode Script: A completed FIRST DRAFT EPISODE is mandatory.

Story/script analysis: Verbal/written notes, participation in workshops, active contribution to others work PLUS ability/willingness to listen to and apply notes to your material. Writing talent is a minor factor in grades.

SCHEDULE: JAN 14 and 21 – SERIES BIBLE/MIDSEASON EPISODE IDEAS Discussion of where each pilot ended and overview of potential for season one. Consider major season milestones. Distribute rough drafts of SERIES BIBLES, written over break. Decide appropriate series models for each student series Assignment: 1) Watch TV!/Choose two shows that are in(or close to) the genre(s) of your show, watch the PILOTS of both, write beat sheets/character bios. *****DUE TO ME BY EMAIL FEB 25****

JAN 28 and FEB 4 - EPISODE PITCHES I and II ¾ page written pitch due by email prior to workshop

FEB 11 and 18- EPISODE STORY ARENAS I and II 3 page story arena due before workshop

FEB 25 – MAR 11 EPISODE OUTLINES I, II and III 12 page outline due before workshop

MARCH 18 - SPRING BREAK

MARCH 25 - APRIL 8 - EPISODE SCRIPTS I, II and III Scripts to dropbox, hard copy to me.

APRIL 15-29 REVISE PILOTS/EPISODES/BIBLES I, II and III Pilot scripts to dropbox, hard copy to me.

MAY 4-13 – Study/Finals Weeks. No class. ALL FIRST DRAFTS (I.E.: Revised pilot/episode/bible) DUE BY EMAIL SAT MAY 9, 2015.

RECOMMENDED READING: (non-required) Theory: The Art of Dramatic Writing (Egri), The Tools of Screenwriting (Howard/Mabley), How to Write a Movie in 21 Days (V. King), Writing the TV Drama Series (Douglas) The writing experience: On Writing (S. King), The Writing Life (Dillard), Bird by Bird (Lamott) 3

Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems

Academic Conduct Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11, Behavior Violating University Standards https://scampus.usc.edu/1100-behavior-violating- university-standards-and-appropriate-sanctions. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct, http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct.

Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity http://equity.usc.edu or to the Department of Public Safety http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-public-safety/online-forms/contact-us. This is important for the safety of the whole USC community. Another member of the university community – such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member – can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for Women and Men http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/ provides 24/7 confidential support, and the sexual assault resource center webpage http://sarc.usc.edu describes reporting options and other resources.

Support Systems A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international graduate students. The Office of Disability Services and Programs http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information http://emergency.usc.edu will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.

Statement for Students with Disabilities Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or to TA) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Website and contact information for DSP: http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html, (213) 740- 0776 (Phone), (213) 740-6948 (TDD only), (213) 740-8216 (FAX) [email protected].

Emergency Preparedness/Course Continuity in a Crisis In case of a declared emergency if travel to campus is not feasible, USC executive leadership will announce an electronic way for instructors to teach students in their residence halls or homes using a combination of Blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technologies. USC's Blackboard learning management system and support information is available at blackboard.usc.edu. 4

Disruptive Student Behavior Behavior that persistently or grossly interferes with classroom activities is considered disruptive behavior and may be subject to disciplinary action. Such behavior inhibits other students’ ability to learn and an instructor’s ability to teach. A student responsible for disruptive behavior may be required to leave class pending discussion and resolution of the problem and may be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action.