INTRO TO SCREENWRITING: Film 234, Summer, 2017, Online. Iverson
White, Mitchell Hall, B73C, [email protected], 414.350.7714,
Office hours: by appointment.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: For each student to complete a feature length
screenplay, in addition to other writing assignments.
Assignments must be posted by Saturday at 11:59PM the week they
are due in discussion forums on D2. Late assignments will not be
accepted.
In addition each student will post at least one weekly response
to another student’s work. One point each for excellent response.
Feedback Guidelines: It isn't enough to write that you liked
something or not, nor that it worked or not. You must tell us why
a scene works, why a line of dialog is naked exposition or too on
the nose, or why it is perfect. We are looking for evidence that
you have read and understood specific course material. Refer to
new ideas that you learned from the readings and or discussions.
Make suggestions on how to improve a scene and/or dialog, and how
to reveal character. We are also looking for clarity in your
writing. Your posts should be well articulated and
understandable. You should respond to at least one other student
each week. And finally, we want your posts to be respectful of
one another.
An “A” grade equals 100 points. To receive the maximum points
your work must be excellent. Don’t write gangster stories, heist
stories, hit men/women stories, time travel stories, parodies of
movie genres, nor adaptations. Avoid stereotypes.
RECOMMENDED TEXT: “THE ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING,” by Lajos Egri,
“Screenwriting 434,” by Lew Hunter; “How to write a Movie in 21
Days,” by Viki King, “Crafting Short Screenplays that Connect,”
by Claudia Hunter Johnson.
RECOMMENDED MOVIES: “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” “Jaws,”
“Rain Man,” “How to Train your Dragon,” “The Lives of Others,”
“Dallas Buyers’ Club.”
RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE: Final Draft, Celtx, Movie Magic.
You may write with any software you like as long as it formats
your screenplay as we require. You will post your script pages
as PDFs
WEEK ONE:
Read “Premise,” ”Character,” “Conflict,” “Film
structure,” and “Three Act Structure,” on the
contents page. Read the “Alien,” screenplay on the
contents page and complete a screenplay report
form. POST IN THE WEEK ONE ASSIGNMENTS FORUM.
WEEK TWO:
Read articles on synopses and outlining on the
contents page. Write a premise, and synopsis for
your screenplay. POST IN WEEK TWO DISCUSSION
FORUM.
WEEK THREE:
Write an outline for your screenplay. POST IN WEEK
THREE DISCUSSION FORUM.
WEEK FOUR:
Read “Scenes,” “Dialog,” “Character
Introductions,” “Screenwriting Do’s and Don’ts,”
and “How to Format Your Screenplay,”* in the
content section.
Post first pages of your screenplay in WEEK FOUR
DSCUSSION FORUM.
WEEK FIVE:
Post new pages in WEEK FIVE DISCUSSION FORUM.
WEEK SIX:
Post new pages in WEEK SIX DICUSSION FORUM.
WEEK SEVEN:
Post new pages in WEEK SEVEN DICUSSION FORUM.
WEEK EIGHT:
Post your final draft in the WEEK EIGHT DISCUSSION
FORUM.
*I know that you can find examples of produced screenplays
that break every rule that we advocate. You need to
understand that established screenwriters can get away
with things that novices can’t. There are gatekeepers who
will toss your script if it isn’t properly formatted no
matter how great your story might be.
When you see a produced screenplay that describes
things that can’t be seen or heard and directs the
camera, etc., someone in the hierarchy, let it pass, for
whatever reason. Every organization, business, workplace,
shop, has rules. We will explain to you the rules we want
you to follow in this class as we go along and in
articles such as “How to format your screenplay,”
and “screenwriting do’s and don’ts,” among others.
PARTICIPATION BY STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
If you will need accommodations in order to meet any of the
requirements of this course, please contact me as soon as
possible.
Feel free to visit me at my office during office hours to discuss
assignments or any questions or requests you have.
The Department of Film follows UWM academic policies which are
posted on the departmental bulletin board, or available online at
< http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/SyllabusLinks.pdf>
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the
United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of “original
works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical,
artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection
is available to both published and unpublished works. Section 106
of the 1976 Copyright Act generally gives the owner of copyright
the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to use their
materials. You must get permission to use copyrighted original
works of authorship if you plan to make your project available to
the public in any way. For more on gaining permission see:
http://www4.uwm.edu/ltc/copyright/getting-permission.cfm