RTF 367Q Spring 2019 p. 1 RTF 367Q: SCRIPT TO SCREEN with Matthew McConaughey Spring 2019 Syllabus Instructor: Scott Rice Office Hours: phone: 512.797.4141 CMA 6.150 [email protected] Wed 12:30 – 2pm TA: Maggie Bailey Office Hours: [email protected] by appointment Unique #: 09000 Class Time: W 10am – 12:30pm, BMC 4.212 Screening Time: W 5pm – 7:30pm, CMB 2.104 (Occasional) COURSE DESCRIPTION Script to Screen takes students behind the scenes of two upcoming films starring Academy Award-winner Matthew McConaughey: THE BEACH BUM, Harmony Korine’s new stoner comedy, and TOFF GUYS, a crime thriller co-written and directed by Guy Ritchie. By studying early scripts, storyboards, shooting schedules, exclusive behind the scenes footage and more, students will garner insight into the making of two major motion pictures. Script to Screen also gives students practical instruction on producing their own content including web series, shorts, commercials and indie features. From guidance on pitching projects to founding a production company, Script to Screen is an essential “how-to” for students who are serious about producing and directing. REQUIRED READING The Complete Film Production Handbook (4th Edition) by Eve Light Honthaner Available at the University Co-op under RTF 367Q, Unique #09000 The Beach Bum (Screenplay Draft 1 & 2) Toff Guys (Screenplay Draft 1, 2 & 3) Various Handouts RTF 367Q Spring 2019 p. 2 SCRIPT TO SCREEN Welcome to Script to Screen. Matthew McConaughey envisioned this class as a way to acquaint students with the evolution of a feature story from concept to finished film. Along the way you will learn the gritty reality of producing major motion pictures, from creative differences in the development process to the intimate relationship between actor and director on set. Matthew McConaughey, writer-director Harmony Korine and writer-director Guy Ritchie have generously invited us into the process of making THE BEACH BUM and TOFF GUYS. The development and production of both films will be the backbone of the course. As we follow the production process, you will be asked to “declare” before the class your own take on the material. Two examples include the script changes you would order after the first draft, and the shooting plan you’d develop for an action scene. After pitching your creative directions, you will see the decisions the filmmakers made. Keep in mind that this class is not about the right decisions (there is more than one “right answer”). It’s about your decisions. Through textbook readings, script readings, lectures, guest visits, video presentations and production material presentations, you will develop insight into the sheer enormity of creating a feature film. What’s more, the filmmaking and business principles gleaned from THE BEACH BUM and TOFF GUYS can be applied to producing your own content. From making commercials to founding your own production company, you will learn how to survive and thrive in the marketplace as a producer and/or director. NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT For the privilege of reading material associated with THE BEACH BUM and TOFF GUYS, you are required to sign an NDA from each production company. Take this legal contract seriously. Breaches in the contract will be dealt with swiftly and severely. Be professional. Carefully guard your script copies. Do not lose them. Do not photograph or scan them. Do not discuss (neither verbally nor in writing) class materials. Do not share materials or production information (even anecdotal information/opinions from class guests) with anyone – not strangers, friends, roommates nor family members, including spouses. Do not discuss the material in any way on social media. There will be plenty of time to discuss material in the classroom. Beyond legal action from the production company, any breaches in the NDA, even slight, will be considered a violation of this syllabus’ contract with the student. Such breaches will be deemed violations of the University Honor Code and rules on scholastic dishonesty. Violations will result in dismissal from the class with an F in addition to possible expulsion from the University. Photographing or taping (video or audio) in-class meetings with guests is considered a violation of the NDA and will be met with the aforementioned consequences. Disclosing the day, time or location of a guest’s campus visit is also a violation. That includes texting people during a visit. Such activity is also a violation of the syllabus. NDA violations put in jeopardy the University’s ability to offer this class in the future and could put in jeopardy THE BEACH BUM and TOFF GUYS distribution and marketing plans. Please take pride in the secrecy to which you are legally bound. This is how it’s done in the industry. You are officially on the inside. Conduct yourself as the professional that you now are. Also, keep in mind that Harmony Korine and Guy Ritchie have personally authorized the release of this material. Let’s honor their trust and protect their films. RTF 367Q Spring 2019 p. 3 Note: There are circumstances under which you may officially volunteer to photograph, film or record audio of a class visit. Such a project is considered professional and a “work for hire” for the Moody College of Communication. As such, all material must leave set with the assigned producer (i.e. you may not possess this footage, neither audio nor visual, after the shoot). PROJECT 1 You must do ONE of the seven choices below as your first project/presentation. You may do a second one for 5 points extra credit (half a letter grade) if you inform the instructor in advance. Even though you are only doing one of these projects, you are required to read all the material. Because of time constraints, there are limited presentation slots per project (see course schedule). You must inform the instructor via email or sign the project sheet regarding which project you prefer to do. This includes projects done for extra credit. You are not guaranteed the project of your choice. Preferences are honored based on when they are received. SCRIPT NOTES: “THE BEACH BUM” SCREENPLAY DRAFT 1 or 2 Imagine you have only one draft left before the script must be locked for shooting. As producer, pitch the notes you would give to the writer to the class (5 minutes). This assignment requires that you type one single-spaced page of notes (they can be bullet points) to help you clarify the ideas you will verbalize in class. Print out this one-pager and turn it in to the instructor after your presentation. Note: please mark up your script copy with notes/thoughts to help you keep track. You are allowed one week to read each hard copy screenplay. Scripts must be returned to the instructor the following class period, so carefully pace your reading. If you fail to return your script on time or lose your draft, you are in violation of the NDA and course syllabus. For every day your script is late, you will lose 2 points from your grade. You will lose one full letter grade for each week your script is late. If you genuinely need more time to read your script, kindly ask the instructor for an accommodation in advance of receiving your draft and it will be granted. SCRIPT NOTES: “TOFF GUYS” SCREENPLAY DRAFT 1, 2 or 3 Follow the instructions and deadlines outlined above. FILMMAKER FOCUS: HARMONY KORINE or GUY RITCHIE Give a 5-minute presentation on the work of THE BEACH BUM writer-director Harmony Korine or TOFF GUYS co-writer and director Guy Ritchie. You may feature biographical information, filmography, stylistic touchstones, film clips – pretty much whatever you want. Get creative, but please present a vivid portrayal of your chosen artist that provides the class with concrete examples of his work and sensibilities. STORYBOARDS: THE BEACH BUM SCENE “SHARK” or “BOAT BURN” Create a shot list and storyboard for the scene of your choice. Sides provided. Print out your shot list and boards or save them as a PDF to present to class (5 minutes). You must turn in hard copies of both at the end of your talk. The same return deadline for scripts also applies to sides. RTF 367Q Spring 2019 p. 4 STORYBOARDS: TOFF GUYS “SCENE 1” Follow the instructions and deadlines outlined above. REWRITE ANALYSIS: TOFF GUYS “SCENE 2 - CLIMAX” Breakdown the rewriting process for the climax of TOFF GUYS. Also, give your opinion on what are some of the most valuable and most problematic steps in the several-day struggle to get this scene right. BUDGET & SCHEDULE You may create a film or TV budget & schedule. This may be done with a partner. See the instructor to clarify the scope of work. FINAL PROJECT The final project you choose should fit your immediate needs and interests (and thus advance your career goals). That is why the final project is wide open. You can do anything you want within reason. It cannot be material created for another class. The instructor will determine if your project plan is significant enough in scope, so get the instructor’s sign-off before you begin. Projects will be shared with the class in a 5-minute presentation at the end of the semester. You must also submit printed material after your presentation for full credit. For those who wish to participate, the Longhorn Creators Foundation (a non-profit that exclusively supports Script to Screen students) will award first, second and third place cash prizes to students with the best final project presentations. Evaluation will be based on an anonymous in-class peer vote along with the quality of the written material you submit to the foundation.