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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CW/COM 348"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Writing Workshop: Screenwriting"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Brian Thomson
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 2:00 PM 3:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The Creative Writing workshop on Screenwriting will answer all of the questions that writers producing work for screens large and small need continually ask themselves:
What is a movie idea and how does it differ from an idea for a poem, short story, or novel?
Why do screenplays look the way they do?
Aren't screenplays all about dialogue?
What are producers talking about when they use phrases like "inciting incident", "third-act climax", "character arc", "beats", "plot points", and so on?
What's the difference between a shot, a scene, a sequence, and an act?
How do words on the page translate to pictures on a screen?
So I wrote a screenplay...what do I do next? How do I get an agent and/or manager- and what's the difference between them anyway?!? 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Students who take the course will write a 15 page screenplay, beginning with an original idea and developing plot and character in a workshop setting throughout the semester. They will study several of the major story/screenwriting theories from Aristotle through Robert McKee and apply their knowledge not only as working screenwriters but also through the production of reader's reports. Students in the course will dissect the work of well-known screenwriters, incluing Ernest Lehman, Robert Towne, Walter Roy Hill, William Goldman, and Shane Black. Screenings will include Raiders of the Lost Ark (Lawrence Kasdan) and Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin) while the Scriptnotes podcast will provide essential listening. The course will conclude with a day devoted to students pitching their screenplays to potential producers.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students who have completed all of the assignments will:
understand the "best practices" of contemporary screenwriting
grasp how these practices have developed historically, and how they may change in the future
have written a short script suitable for production
be able to apply their knowledge of screenwriting principles in a variety of genres and formats
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Scene Analyses 15
Quizzes (10 of them) 30
Midterm Reader's Report 20
Short Film Script 25
Screenplay Pitch 10

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Each unexcused absence will result in the student losing five points from their final grade.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Week One
01 Why a screenplay looks the way it does and intro to Celtx/FadeIn/Final Draft
02 What is a movie idea?
03 Producer's eye view of the screenplay
04 Shooting Exercise

Week Two
05 Three Act Structure
06 Beginnings
07 Endings
08 Middles

Week Three
09 Heros
10 Villains
11 Conflict
12 Resolution

Week Four
13 Surprise and Suspense
14 Writing Dialogue
15 Writing Action
16 Genre

Week Five
17 Table Reads / Script Workshop
18 Pitching
19 Pitching Workshop
20 Fiasco Exercise