SCREENWRITING II FILM-M294-002 ENGL-A314-002

Course Term: SPRING 2019 Course Location: TBD Class hours: TR 2:00pm-3:15pm

Instructor: Steven Esteb Office Location: Comm/Music 405 Phone: 310-775-7560 Email: [email protected] Office hours: TBD

Text and Instructional Materials:

There are no required texts for this course. However, the following text is recommended for any serious screenwriter to purchase. It is on reserve in the library: The Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trottier; Silman-James Press (2014); ISBN: 978-1-935247-10-4.

Recommended reading on reserve in library: Screenplay by Syd Field.

Screenwriting software MUST be used in this class. Celtx and WriterDuet are free software that is adequate.

Final Draft is preferred and the industry standard. Cost is $129.99 https:// store.finaldraft.com

Obligatory supplemental reading materials will be posted on Blackboard or placed in the library.

Brief Course Overview: This course is the second in a two-part sequence in which students learn to format, structure and write for the visual medium of narrative film, TV or digital media. Upon completion of the course, students will have the foundations necessary to complete full story concepts and both feature and television scripts in Screenwriting II.

Expected Student Learning Course Outcomes:

1. Students will learn current industry script formatting standards..

2. Students will learn to use current screenwriting software.

3. Students will gain a visual language to scripting techniques.

4. Students will begin to learn the concise craft necessary for today’s screenwriter.

5. Students will develop tools to critically analyze quality of writing.

Course Outline (subject to change)

WEEK 1: Why storytelling is important. The inflexible structure of script formatting. ASSIGNMENT: Read a professional script. WEEK 2: Let’s look at some short scripts and discuss how scripts become films. SUBMIT Your Short Script to critique in class. WEEK 3: In-class workshop of your Short Scripts or projects continued from Screenwriting i. SUBMIT forRevised Short for grading WEEK 4: The story ride: dramatic structure, turning points, character development, story arcs. The external vs. the internal journey. WEEK 5: In-class presentation of a scene with structure and turning points identified. ASSIGNMENT: Scene analysis.. WEEK 6 & 7: In-class presentation of a scene with structure and turning points identified. WEEK 8: Writing dialogue. ASSIGNMENT: Your dialogue scene. / Mid term grades posted. WEEK 9: In-class workshop of your Dialogue scene. SUBMIT Your Revised Dialogue scene. ASSIGNMENT: Read assigned feature script. WEEK 10: Discussion of assigned feature script. WEEK 11: First Acts of feature scripts. The set up. WEEK 12: Your feature project pitch. Written version submitted in class. ASSIGNMENT: Your first act as a short script. WEEK 13 & 14: In class workshop of your script. ASSIGNMENT: Read assigned TV scripts. WEEK 15: In class discussion of TV Scripts. WEEK 16: Your screenwriting future. FINAL EXAM: Your Revised First Act/short script

Participation Expectations:

Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and be ready to pitch script ideas in class. Lectures, assignments and workshops are the basis from which scriptwriting technique and theory will be discussed. Class participation is mandatory.

Criteria for Assigning the Course Grade:

Grading will be determined by the following component areas:

Component Area Percentage of Grade

Class Participation/Attendance 20 Short Script Assignment 10 Scene Analysis Presentation 10 Feature Film Concept Presentation 10 30 page minimum script submission 50

Late Work Policy:

Students must agree at the outset of the class to deliver work ON TIME. Late submissions will receive one full letter grade deduction.

Attendance Policy:

All students are expected to attend class.

3 unexcused absences = no change in grade

4 unexcused absences = 10% grade reduction

5 unexcused absences = 15% grade reduction

6 unexcused absences = 20% grade reduction

7 or more unexcused absences = result in failing grade

Excused absences will be considered at the discretion of the Professor.