UMAR 420-81 Intermediate Screenwriting Spring 2004
Instructor:
Phone: (O) 680-2620, 865-5333
(H) 897-9622
Catalog description:
UMAR 420 Intermediate Screenwriting (3)
This course further develops students’ writing skills of UMAR 320, including the application of advanced techniques in character, story, and dramatic structure in UMAR 320, particularly as regards consistency, development and resolution. Emphasis is placed on revision techniques and professional polish. The course covers the marketing of the completed script. (UMAR 320 or instructor’s permission is prerequisite for this course.)
Course objective:
Students should complete an entire feature film/T.V. script during the course of the semester and then evaluate pathways toward marketing the completed script to agents/ production companies.
Grades will be based on the merit of the completed script with regard to character development, recognizable structure and well-written dialogue. Specific methods of structure beyond the traditional “three acts” will be discussed, such as the “Hero’s Journey” model and character “archetypes.” Of course, screenplays will be properly formatted.
The “writing workshop” part of the course will involve the participants’ copying and distributing screenplays for discussion the following week to fellow students who will be expected to read and comment on the script for the next class meeting. Remarks should be thoughtful and constructive, as befits an honest but supportive writing environment.
Following a critique session, the writer should feel empowered to do the inherent revision and polishing necessary to produce a completed screenplay. Another form of feedback for students may include actors’ line readings. The writing and polishing of at least one good query letter will be completed as well.
Attendance is important, especially since the class meets only one night a week. As in Matt Damon’s and Ben Affleck’s Project Greenlight contest, and Coppola’s online Zoetrope Studios, people are taking the time to read your screenplay, so you will reciprocate by taking the time and effort to read theirs and provide feedback. It’s only fair! Also, helping someone else to iron out problems in their script may help you learn to recognize and correct such problems in your own. Your attendance grade will drop one-half letter grade for every unexcused absence. (Excused absences include illness or a death in the family.)
Grading breakdown is as follows: Completed screenplay/ final exam = 55%
Attendance/ participation (includes workshop participation) = 35%
Query letter(s) = 10% = 100%
Required Text:
Ken Dancyger. Global Scriptwriting. Focal Press. ISBN 0-240-80428-7
Recommended:
Ken Dancyger and Jeff Rush. Alternative Scriptwriting. Focal Press.
ISBN 0-240-80477-5