FMS 100 Fall - ASU



FMS 209: Screenwriting Fundamentals

(Spring Session 1 – 2013)

Professor: Michael Green

Email: michael.b.green@asu.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 1 – 2:30 and by appt.

Online Office Hours: By Appointment

Office Location: LL 645D

Office Phone: 480 727 0884

Time/Location: Online

Dates: 1/7/13  - 2/27/13

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Description

What elements go into a successful screenplay? How is universal storytelling related to screenwriting? Why is it valuable for beginners to write a short script before attempting a feature-length script? Students will answer these questions on their way to writing a complete short script that they can produce by themselves or in a production class; use in a portfolio; or enter in contest, among other possibilities.

This screenwriting course differs from some introductory courses in that it focuses on the craft of story, rather than entertainment industry topics such as finding financing, procuring an agent or selling a script. It proceeds from the premise that a student must be able to tell a strong story before moving on to these other goals.

As any effective writing course should be, Screenwriting Fundamentals is writing intensive. It is unique in that it approaches screenwriting both creatively and critically. Students will write exercises designed to teach aspects of craft such as plot, characterization and dialogue; however, they will also critically analyze both short films and features to recognize how story works in professional productions.

Course Outcomes

At the conclusion of this introductory screenwriting course, students should be able to:

• Establish a personal writing process that allows them to produce creative work.

• Construct a script in professional screenplay format.

• Define crucial storytelling principles, including act structure, plotting, scene construction, character arc, tone, mood and theme.

• Analyze both short and feature films in terms of those principles.

• Create a Hollywood-style treatment that lays out a full synopsis of a short film.

• Write the first draft of a short film.

• Revise the first draft into a polished final draft.

• Evaluate the short film as a specific art form apart from the feature.

Although this course is web delivered, it is neither automated nor self-paced. You are expected to engage in all of the material and complete each task by the deadline. You can use your personal computer, one in the library, and/or the computer labs at ASU. Check the ASU Website for hours and locations.

Readings: There are two required books for the course:

Writing Short Films, Second Edition, by Linda J. Cowgill

The Screenwriter’s Bible, 5th Edition, by David Trottier

You will likely need to buy the books at either the ASU bookstore or from an online distributor such as .  Be sure to order them well before class begins.  Read the books carefully and on time, as they forms the basis of your assignments.

Software: You will need to download the free program Celtx, which will provide you with templates to write in the proper screenplay format. It is compatible across operating systems.

The website for the download is: .

If you have Final Draft, you may use that as well.

 

Screenings: You are responsible for viewing the screenings associated with each lesson. They are embedded in the lectures and linked to the course; Though these films are entertaining, you are watching them primarily for study.  This means taking notes and viewing the screenings numerous times.  The screenings will inform both your online discussions and your written work. 

Plagiarism Policy: You are expected to turn in original work for this course. Quotations or ideas paraphrased from other work must be properly cited. Taking credit for another's idea or writing is plagiarism, which is a serious violation of the University's Code of Academic Integrity: Integrity is expected of every student in all academic work. The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student's submitted work must be the student's own. This principle is furthered by the student Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures established by ABOR Policies 5-308-5-403, all provisions of which apply to all Arizona State University students. If you are unsure how to credit your source, ask a member of the teaching team for clarification.

Disability Accommodations:

Qualified students with disabilities who will require disability accommodations in this class are encouraged to make their requests to me at the beginning of the semester either during office hours or by appointment. Note: Prior to receiving disability accommodations, verification of eligibility from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is required. Disability information is confidential. Students who feel they will need disability accommodations in this class but have not registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) should contact DRC immediately. Their office is located on the first floor of the Matthews Center Building.  DRC staff can also be reached at: 480-965-1234 (V), 480-965-9000 (TTY).  For additional information, visit:  asu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/drc. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 M-F.

GRADED WORK

Participation (100 points): You are responsible for participating in the discussion board. In response to my posted questions, you need to post at least two substantive comments in the ongoing threaded discussion. These posts must keep up with the progress of the course. You cannot, for example, go back to the discussion board and post to a Lesson after it has been completed and expect for the posts to be counted toward your participation grade. Moreover, the teaching team will keep track of your participation, including assessing the value of what you bring to this interactivity. Refrain from flaming or ad hominem comments. Please be rigorous but constructive. Please see the course site for more details about what is expected in terms of participation.

Writing Exercises (100 points): You will complete 10 writing exercises. These exercises are crucial in your development as a screenwriter and storyteller. The writing lessons are typically a page long and are either in prose or screenplay format. You will post your writing exercise for each lesson on the discussion board where it is prompted. These writing exercises must keep up with the progress of the course. You cannot, for example, go back to the discussion board and post a late exercise. Also be sure to respect the work of your peers at all times. This includes not copying the ideas of others.

Treatment (100 points):  Before you begin writing your actual script you will first create a brief synopsis of its basic components called a treatment. The treatment is a boiled down prose version of your story that includes such crucial aspects as an outline of the plot and a description of the main characters and their function within the plot. The treatment serves as both a summary of your movie for others and a blueprint for you as you write. Your treatment should be 2-3 single spaced pages. See the course site for a sample treatment.

First Draft of Screenplay (100 points): You will complete the first draft of a screenplay for a short film. A first draft is by definition rough, but it should be about 10 pages long and include a beginning, middle and end along with other identifiable aspects of story structure such as conflict, crisis and resolution. Your script should be in a standard screenplay format approved by your instructor. See the website for a sample treatment.

Final Draft of Screenplay (100 points):  The final draft will include many of the elements of the first draft (beginning, middle and end, conflict, crisis, etc.) but show demonstrable improvement over the first draft. This might include heightened conflict, more functional dialogue, more three-dimensional characters, or whatever else the instructor suggests. The student should aim for the final draft to be 10-12 pages. It should be as polished as possible in terms of both the writing and the format.

Grading Scale: 0 to 530 Points

A+   ..... 530+ Points

A     ..... 493 – 529 Points

A-    ..... 477 - 492 Points

B+   ..... 466 - 476 Points

B     ..... 440 - 465 Points

B-    ..... 424 - 439 Points

C+   ..... 413 - 423 Points

C     ..... 371 - 412 Points

D     ..... 318 - 370 Points

E     ..... 000 - 317 Points

LEARNING TASKS

This course is comprised of 7 lessons plus an introduction. Each lesson includes some or all of the following tasks:

Reading: Read the assigned material.

Screening: Watch and study the film for each lesson.

Lecture: Listen to streaming audio lectures with PowerPoint slides.

Clips: Watch the film clips connected to each lesson.

Website: Engage relevant websites

Writing Exercise: Complete the writing exercise

Discussion: Answer questions on the discussion board.

Lesson 00: Getting Started/Course Introduction (Due by 11:59 PM on 1/11)

Readings: "What Makes a Successful Online Student?"

“Introduction,” to The Screenwriter’s Bible,” by David Trottier

The Writing Process

Screening: Live at Sundance: Short Films, Tall Ideas

Websites: Self-Evaluation for Online Students



Lecture: 1 – Course Introduction

Discussion: Lesson Posts (10 pts.)

Exercise: Complete Writing Exercise 1 (10 pts.)

 Lesson 01: The Writing Process & Proper Screenplay Format

(Due by 11:59 PM on 1/16)

Readings: “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott (linked to lesson)

Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 199-209

The Screenwriter’s Bible / David Trottier, pages 133 – 207

Screening: George Lucas in Love / Joe Nussbaum, 1999

Lecture: 2 – How Do I Start Writing and How do I Keep Going?

Website:

Discussion: Lesson Posts (10 pts.)

Exercise: Complete Writing Exercise 2 (10 pts.)

 

Lesson 02: The Principles of Drama & The Characteristics of a Good Short Film

(Due by 11:59 PM on 1/23)

Readings: Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages, xi-xiv & 3-11

Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages, 13-33

Screenings: Ten Minutes / Ahmed Imamovic, 2002

Black Button / Lucas Crandles, 2007

Lectures: 3 – What is Story?

4 – Starting Out? What is it About?

Website: Aristotle's Six Principles of Drama

Confessions of a Short Film Programmer

Discussion: Lesson Posts (20 pts.)

Exercises: Complete Writing Exercises 3 & 4 (20 pts.)

Lesson 03: Week Three: Character and Emotion

(Due by 11:59 PM on 1/30)

Reading: Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 34-61

Screening: IMAGO / Cedric Babouche, 2005

Lecture: 5 – Who Does What and Why?

Website: Character Moods or Emotions

Discussion: Lesson Posts (10 pts.)

Exercise: Complete Writing Exercise 5 (10pts.)

Lesson 04: Week Four: The Three-Part Nature of Film Structure & Plotting: The Twists and Turns

(Due by 11:59 PM on 2/6)

Readings: Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 64-81

Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 83-99

Screenings: The Powder Keg / Alejandro González Iñárritu, 2001

Copy / Michael Griffin and Sean Dowling, 2006

Lectures: 6 – How Do I Put My Script Together?

7 – How Do I Move My Story?

Websites: Three-Act Structure

Greatest Movie Plot Twists, Film Spoilers and Surprise Endings

Discussion: Lesson Posts (20 pts.)

Treatment due 2/10 by 11:59 PM (100 pts.)

Lesson 5: Week Five: Act I and Act II: The Beginning and the Middle

(Due by 9 PM on 2/13)

Readings: Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 103-120

Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 121-131

Screenings: Spin / Jamin Winas, 2005

The Hire: The Ambush / John Frankenheimer, 2001

Lectures: 8 – How Do I Fade in?

9 – How Do I Keep the Story Alive?

Clips: Say Anything / Cameron Crowe, 1989 (2 Clips)

Apocalypse Now / Francis Coppola, 1979

Blade Runner / Ridley Scott, 1982

Websites: What Happens in Act I?

What Happens in Act II?

Discussion: Lesson Posts (20 pts.)

Exercises: Complete Writing Exercises 6 & 7 (20 pts.)

Lesson 6: Act III – The End & Constructing the Scene

(Due by 11:59 PM on 2/20)

Readings: Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 133-145

Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 149-163

Screenings: Gridlock (Fait d'Hiver) / Dirk Belien, 2003

Love and Respect - A Paris Story / Gurinder Chada, 2007

Lectures: 10 – How do I fade out?

11 – What are the parts that make up the whole?

Websites: What Happens in Act III?

Short Films Online

Discussion: Lesson Posts (20 pts.)

Exercise: Complete Writing Exercise 8 (10 pts.)

Draft due 2/22 by 11:59 PM (100 pts.)

Lesson 7: Dialogue & the Subtext of Meaning

(Due by 11:59 PM on 2/27)

Readings: Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 165-176

Writing Short Films / Linda J. Cowgill, pages 178-188

Screening: Black Rider / Pepe Danquart, 1993

My Name is Lisa / Ben Shelton, 2007

Lectures: 12 – The Search for the Perfect Line

13 – Creating the Meaning Underneath the Meaning

Website: Pixar Short Films

Writing Great Dialogue

AFI's 100 Years / 100 Quotes

Clips: Pulp Fiction / Quintin Tarantino, 1994

Casablanca / Michael Curtiz, 1942

Discussion: Lesson Posts (20 pts.)

Exercises: Complete Writing Exercise 9 & 10 (20 pts.)

Final Draft due Sunday, 3/4 by 11:59 PM(100 pts.)

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