SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
Summer I 2005
Course Outline: TV/Film Writing COBF 2222AA MTR 11:20 - 2:15
Prof. Thomas R. Rondinella off: FH 26 X5837 SHU email: RondinTh
Objectives of the Course: This course is designed to examine the principles, structure and practices of narrative feature screenplay writing. The student will study written screenplays and view subsequent finished films to learn how the "visual" is created from what is written. The student will also write his/her own step outline for an original narrative feature screenplay.
In this course, the student will:
1) understand the elements of a proficient screenplay;
2) learn to use screenwriting terminology to write visually;
3) interact thoughtfully and constructively with fellow students on collaborative projects.
4) discover the importance of the screenplay to the final film.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The goal of this course is to develop an original film idea into a complete and detailed step outline, and to write the opening scene(s) in proper screenplay format. To achieve this goal, the student is expected to perform the following:
1) Oral/written presentation of film idea: The student will present a three sentence "pitch" of his/her screenplay idea. 10% of final grade
2) Character breakdowns: The student will write an in-depth background on every major character in his/her screenplay. 10% of final grade
3) Short and long step sheet assignments: The student will complete these two
assignments in preparing his/her original screenplay. 35% of final grade
4) Dialogue writing exercise: The student will write a dialogue sequence from their
Script 10% of final grade
5) Scene writing exercise: The student will write the opening scene of his/her screenplay.
10% of final grade
The sum total of these assignments is the student's final step outline.(75% of final grade)
6) Class attendance, punctuality, and participation. 25% of final grade
REQUIRED TEXT:
Hunter, Lew. Screenwriting 434. New York: Perigee Books, 1993.
(Optional) Krevolin, Richard. Screenwriting from the Soul. Renaissance, 1998.
In addition, there will be various handouts and screenings each week.
There are some films recommended for viewing during the semester regarding story structure. All are widely available for rental on video cassette.
E.T. , Breaking Away, Betrayal, The Fisher King, Ordinary People
ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES:
Screenwriting is a discipline. Therefore, to enforce the discipline of writing, all deadlines must be met or a full grade will be deducted for each class period overdue. Any assignment more than two class periods overdue will not be accepted by the instructor. There will be no exceptions. All assignments MUST be typed and in proper format or it will not be read.
Absences are not allowed and will affect class participation grade. If the student will be absent, it is necessary to notify the instructor by phoning 973-275-5837. Time is limited; class starts at 11:20. Tardiness will be penalized. Open laptops are prohibited in class.
This course heavily emphasizes class participation. The student should be prepared to engage in discussion each week, especially regarding fellow students' work. Students are expected to have enough copies of their material for the presentations in class. The student should be prepared to re-write according to appropriate class comments.
COURSE SCHEDULE: (subject to change, except where bold)
May 31 Introduction to course structure. Syllabus review.
Ideas; Film idea assigned. Hunter 1
June 2 Screenplay basic elements: plot, theme, premise Hunter 2
Character, goals, and conflict
June 6 Oral/written presentation of film idea due.
Film idea refinement assigned Character. Hunter 3.
Character breakdown assigned.
June 7 Three act structure. Hunter, Chapter 4. Short step outline.Assigned.
June 9 Film idea refinement due, Character breakdown due.
June 13 Oral/written presentation of short step outline: class discussion.
June 14 Writing dialogue. Hunter, Chapter 5 Long step outline assigned,
Dialogue writing assigned
June 16 Screenplay style and format. Hunter, Chapter 4
June 20 Dialogue writing due, presented; re-writes discussed
June 21 Dialogue writing due, presented; re-writes discussed
Act One: The opening." Hunter 5 Scene writing assigned
June 23 Act One: The opening." Hunter 5, Act Two: The complication."
Act Three: The end." Hunter, Chapter 7.
“The art of re-writing." Hunter, Chapter 8
June 27 Dialogue re-writes due and presented.
June 28 Scene writing presented due.
June 30 Scene writing presented. "Screenwriting in the real world."
Final long step outline and opening scene writing due.
NOTE: The above procedures and schedules are subject to change in the event of extraordinary circumstances.