All students are required to read and have a thorough understanding of the syllabus. Any questions or concerns need to be addressed to the instructor.

Transcription

1 Regent University Missin Statement: Regent University serves as a center f Christian thught and actin t prvide excellent educatin thrugh a Biblical perspective and glbal cntext equipping Christian leaders t change the wrld. Schl f Cmmunicatin & the Arts Missin Statement: T prepare emerging and established Christian leaders t inspire, enrich and transfrm the media, the arts, and the academy thrugh excellence and innvatin in schlarship and practice. COURSE SYLLABUS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION & THE ARTS DEPARTMENT OF CINEMA-TELEVISION SSW 514 WRITING FOR TELEVISION FALL 2013 COURSE TYPE: CAMPUS MEETING LOCATION: COM 105 MEETING TIME: THURSDAYS, 6-9 PM COURSE INSTRUCTOR: SEAN GAFFNEY All students are required t read and have a thrugh understanding f the syllabus. Any questins r cncerns need t be addressed t the instructr.

2 Page 2 f 10 SECTION 1 COURSE OVERVIEW INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: Instructr: Sean Gaffney Telephne: Fax: sgaffney@regent.edu In the subject line f yur , please include the curse number (e.g. SSW 514) and have yur full name in yur signature. Nte: All students are required t keep their mailing address, e- mail address, and telephne numbers up t date in GENISYS t facilitate cmmunicatin between instructrs and students. Office Hurs: Wednesday 10-12pm; Thursday 1-5pm Office Lcatin: COM 256 Best time t cntact me: Any time by ; during ffice hurs by phne r in persn. Greetings. This is a fantastic time fr televisin bth quality and variety are unprecedented. With the ability t tell stries ver full seasns (and hpefully multiple seasns), televisin remains ne f the best places t dig deeply int character and themes; t allw arcs t evlve; t explre lng term cnsequences t actins. Televisin als has the distinctin f being a cmmunal frm f writing, giving us an pprtunity t wrk tgether, elevating each ther s talent and scripts as we mve thrugh the class. Blessings as we explre this medium tgether. -Sean Gaffney Please nte: This semester will fcus n the ne-hur televisin drama. SHORT BIO Sean Gaffney is a playwright, screenwriter, directr, teacher and prducer. He was the Stry Administratr fr Warner Brs. Features, editr f Drama Ministry Magazine, the Managing Directr f Taprt Theatre (Seattle) and General Manager f Lamb s Theatre Cmpany (New Yrk). He has authred twenty-nine prduced plays, fur cmmissined televisin pilts, tw published bks, as well as seventy plus prduced vides, animatin prjects and shrt films (including fr Big Idea, SuperBk, Yake Films and Glbalstage). He served fr ver a decade as writer, actr and directr fr his church s drama ministry, the Bel Air Drama Department. He has been the Master Teacher fr Act One: Writing fr Hllywd, directr f the theatre prgram fr the Masterwrks Festival, adjunct faculty at Bila University, and speaker/teacher at writing and drama cnferences thrughut the United States. He received his BFA frm Drake University, his MFA frm Clumbia University, and studied with Act One: Writing fr Hllywd. COURSE DESCRIPTION An analysis f the structural cmpnents f a variety f TV narrative prgram frms, such as situatin cmedies and hur-lng dramas. Includes survey f markets and pitching techniques. Theme Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-14 Then Nathan said t David, Yu are the man! INTEGRATION OF FAITH Nathan tld a secular stry and changed the heart f a king. If we are wise, we t can use the stry telling medium f televisin (secular and religius prgramming) t influence the hearts and minds f ur viewers. In this curse we will learn t craft such stries with the quality that will earn a hearing, and the

3 Page 3 f 10 faith underpinnings t be mre than entertainment. We will als develp spiritual disciplines the help guard urselves in the prcess, as well as remind us cnstantly t whse Glry we wrk. COURSE OUTCOMES SECTION 2 COURSE EXPECTATIONS Upn cmpletin f this curse, students shuld be able t: 1. Read, analyze and discuss ne-hur televisin scripts; Assessed thrugh class discussin 2. Determine and execute prper ne-hur stry structure; Assessed thrugh writing assignments 3. Select apprpriate and engaging stry lines fr spec scripts; Assessed thrugh creatin f stry lines, in class critique and critiquing ther stry lines 4. Create and refine subject and themes fr ur stries; Assessed thrugh in class critique and critiquing f ther subjects and themes 5. Write a spec script fr an existing ne-hur shw; Assessed in stages thrugh develpment f beat sheet, utline, and multiple drafts 6. Identify essential ingredients fr a pilt script: Assessed thrugh creatin f a pilt wrld, characters and situatins 7. Pitch a pilt; Assessed thrugh written pitch 8. Give effective, cnstructive, and useful ntes t ther writers and accept ntes frm thers gracefully and judiciusly; Assessed thrugh regular in class feedback sessins 9. Cnsider deeply hw the writer s spiritual life impacts stry creatin; Assessed thrugh regular verbal respnse t writer specific devtinals 10. Integrate practical faith and values int secular writings; Assessed thrugh spec develpment and creatin f existing secular televisin shws REQUIRED MATERIALS Students are respnsible fr acquiring the fllwing bks and materials fr this curse befre the first class meeting: Writing the TV Drama Series, 3 rd Editin Revised (Michael Wiese Prductins, 2011) Pamela Duglas, (ISBN ) The TV Writer s Wrkbk (Delta, 2007) Ellen Sandler (ISBN ) Getting Thrugh the First Draft f Yur Life, Kris Yung (supplied by instructr) Pilt episdes f Once Upn a Time, Persn f Interest, The Killing, Justified and Pushing Daisies (supplied by instructr) Nte: The Schl has partnered with the Regent Bkstre t have textbks available fr purchase fr all students, including distance students. Items may be rdered using the secured nline catalg fund at Daily access t the Internet and Micrsft Office (Wrd, Excel, PwerPint, etc.) versin 2007 r later. The latest versin f a web brwser cmpatible with Blackbard and media players. Fr assistance, visit the links prvided in the Helpful Resurces sectin f the curse in Blackbard r cntact IT Helpdesk via their website, phne at , r helpdesk@regent.edu. Additinal materials (e.g., PwerPint files, quizzes, media, and the like) may be prvided via Blackbard. Students are respnsible fr the infrmatin and materials distributed in class and n Blackbard (see Use f Blackbard belw fr mre infrmatin).

4 Page 4 f 10 Understand and adhere t the Regent Hnr Cde fund in the Student Handbk. A persistent link can als be fund in Blackbard s RU Resurces tab. Recmmended Curse Materials: Final Draft r ther scriptwriting prgram Other resurces such as writing style guides, Blackbard tutrials, University plicies, IT Helpdesk, and infrmatin may be accessed via the RU and Helpful Resurces tabs in Blackbard as well as in the Helpful Resurces sectin f this curse. USE OF BLACKBOARD Blackbard will be used t aid cmmunicatin and delivery f extempraneus and ther cntent as the semester prgresses. We may als utilize the Discussin Bard t extend ur in-class discussins. Participatin in Blackbard des nt supplant curse requirements fr attendance r class participatin. Therefre, while access t and use f Blackbard is required fr this curse, it shuld nt be seen as a surrgate fr class attendance r ther curse requirements. Als, please keep the fllwing in mind: All discussin psts shuld be schlarly in nature and respectful f clleagues. Students are expected t check the Annuncements sectin f Blackbard each week beginning ne week befre the start f the curse. Students must keep their address current in Genisys in rder t receive cmmunicatins frm Blackbard and the instructr. Students are expected t check their Regent daily t ensure timely receipt f messages frm the prfessr. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION Attendance is required in rder t cmplete this curse. Students failing t attend a minimum number f campus class meetings will autmatically fail the curse unless arrangement is made with the prfessr t take an Incmplete grade in rder t cmplete the curse at a later date in accrdance with University plicy (see student handbk fr mre infrmatin abut withdrawing frm a curse r the University r fr incmplete grades). T prevent autmatic failure f a curse, the minimum class attendance is as fllws: Fr a 16 week curse: Must attend at least 9 weeks f campus class meetings. Fr a 10 week curse: Must attend at least 6 weeks f campus class meetings. Fr a 5 day Mdular (Intensive) curse: Must attend all 5 days f campus class meetings. Nte: Internatinal students shuld cnsult the Office f Internatinal Student Services fr hw immigratin status may be impacted if yu fail t meet attendance requirements fr this curse. All students shuld cnsult the Financial Aid ffice fr infrmatin n hw their funding may be impacted as well. Internatinal students shuld cnsult the Office f Internatinal Student Services befre registering fr a Distance r Mdular curse. In additin, the fllwing attendance requirement applies t this curse: N further requirements. In the event f an emergency, it may be necessary fr Regent University t suspend nrmal peratins. During this time, Regent University may pt t cntinue delivery f traditinal classrm instructin using the Blackbard Curse Management System. It is the respnsibility f the student t mnitr the curse Blackbard site in the event f campus clsure.

5 Page 5 f 10 SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS Unless therwise instructed, all assignments fr this curse must be submitted via the Assignment Link fund in Blackbard. All files shuld be submitted using the fllwing naming cnventin: YurName_AssignmentName (e.g. Jhn Smith_Essay 1) Papers shuld be in MS Wrd frmat (.dcx) cmpliant with the MLA writing style guide. Scripts shuld be in PDF sftware frmat. Please nte that all scripts must be frmatted prperly. If using a sftware such as Final Draft, be sure t chse frm the televisin drama templates. Assignments f rewrites shuld be dne in revisin mde marking the revised lines. Unless therwise stated in Blackbard, n assignment will be accepted if submitted via any methd ther than Blackbard. Assignments are due n later than 11:59 pm n Mnday.It is recmmended that students give themselves a buffer f time befre the deadline t allw fr trubleshting shuld yur uplad attempt fail. Students shuld lk at the assignment submissin page t verify that the submissin was successful. Late Assignments Students must cmplete all assignments n time; lateness will result in ½ a grade penalty per day. NOTE: Technical difficulties when submitting t Blackbard will nt be accepted unless dcumented by the IT Help Desk. The IT Help Desk is yur first pint f cntact fr prblems with Blackbard. Deadline extensins will be allwed nly when a system issue ccurring n Blackbard s side is dcumented by Regent University IT department. METHOD OF EVALUATION The final grade fr the curse will reflect mastery f curse cntent and quality f thught as expressed in: Class Participatin: 20% Lgline, Beatsheets, Subject/Theme: 10% Outline: 10% Teleplay (all drafts): 50% Pilt pitch (Final): 10% Grading Rubric Each assignment will be apprtined a letter grade cngruent with the fllwing: The fllwing grading scale will be used: Grade Percentage Scre Quality Pints A A B B

6 Page 6 f 10 B C C C D D D F SECTION 3 SCHEDULE AND EVALUATION COURSE SCHEDULE The schedule belw includes the due dates fr all assignments in this curse. It is recmmended that yu place this Curse Schedule in a cnvenient place and refer t it each week f the curse. Yu need t fllw it clsely, as late assignments may be subject t a grade reductin. Thursday marks the beginning f the week fr this curse. Therefre, unless therwise stated in Blackbard, assignments fr each week must be submitted n later than Mnday, 11:59 pm (Eastern time) f each week. Week 1: August 22 Class intrductin LECTURE: WHAT MAKES A ONE HOUR Fr Next Sessin: READ Once Upn a Time Pilt READ Writing the TV Drama Series Ch. One, Three READ: The TV Writer s Wrkbk, Ch. 1, 5 READ: Getting Thrugh the First Draft f Yur Life Ch. 1 Week 2: August 29 LECTURE: THE ONE HOUR STRUCTURE / THE LOGLINE Fr Next Sessin: READ: Writing the TV Drama Series, Ch. Fur, pp READ: The TV Writer s Wrkbk, Ch. 3, 4, 6-8 READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 35 WRITE: Grup A create 5 lgline pitches fr spec scripts Week 3: September 5 LECTURE: BREAKING STORIES / WRITING A BEAT SHEET Discuss: Lgline Pitches Grup A Fr Next Sessin: READ: The Killing Pilt READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 30 WRITE: Grup B create 5 lgline pitches fr spec scripts

7 Page 7 f 10 Week 4: September 12 LECTURE: CHARACTER Discuss: Lgline Pitches Grup B Fr Next Sessin: READ: Writing the TV Drama Series, Ch. Fur, pp READ: The TV Writer s Wrkbk, Ch. 12 READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 2 WRITE: Grup A create beatsheet Week 5: September 19 LECTURE: SCENE STRUCTURE / WRITING OUTLINES Ntes: Grup A Beatsheets (Grup A ges t Outline) Fr Next Sessin: READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 8 WRITE: Grup B create beatsheet Week 6: September 26 LECTURE: SUBJECT AND THEME / THE CHRISTIAN AND THE DRAMA Ntes: Grup B Beatsheets (Grup B ges t Outline) Fr Next Sessin: READ: Justified Pilt READ: Persn f Interest Pilt READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 17 WRITE: Grup A create utline and subject/theme statements Week 7: Octber 3 LECTURE: EXPOSITION / ACTION Ntes: Grup A Outlines (Grup A t Script) Fr Next Sessin: READ: Writing the TV Drama Series, Ch. Fur, pp READ: The TV Writer s Wrkbk, Ch. 12 READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 40 WRITE: Grup B create utline and subject/theme statements Week 8: Octber 10 LECTURE: DIALOGUE Ntes: Grup B Outlines (Grup B t Script) Fr Next Sessin: READ: The TV Writer s Wrkbk, Ch READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 22 WRITE: Grup A first half f spec Week 9: Octber 17 Mdular Week N assignments

8 Page 8 f 10 Week 10: Octber 24 LECTURE: REWRITING Ntes: Grup A Script (1 st Half) Fr Next Sessin: READ: Writing the TV Drama Series, Ch. 2 & 5 READ: The TV Writer s Wrkbk, Ch , Appendix 1 READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 28 WRITE: Grup B first half f spec Week 11: Octber 31 LECTURE: THE HOLLYWOOD SYSTEM Ntes: Grup B Script (1 st Half) Fr Next Sessin: READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 16 READ: Pushing Daisies Pilt WRITE: Grup A full script Week 12: Nvember 7 LECTURE: OUTSIDE THE BOX Ntes: Grup A Script (Full) Fr Next Sessin: READ: Writing the TV Drama Series, Ch. Fur, pp READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 3 WRITE: Grup B full script Week 13: Nvember 14 LECTURE: THE PILOT Ntes: Grup B Scripts (Full) Fr Next Sessin: READ: The TV Writer s Wrkbk, Ch. 19 READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 38 WRITE: Grup A AND Grup B create 5 lgline pitches fr an riginal pilt Week 14: Nvember 21 LECTURE: PITCHING TIPS Ntes: Lgline pitches (fr bth grups) Fr Next Sessin: READ: Getting Thrugh Ch. 6 READ: Writing the TV Drama Series, Ch. Six and Seven WRITE: Revised Script (with revisin marks) (Due 12/5) WRITE: Pilt pitch (Due 12/5) Week 15: Nvember 28 THANKSGIVING Class des nt meet Week 16: December 5 LECTURE: WHAT S NEXT / THE WRITING LIFE Final: Revised Scripts (with revisin marks); Pilt Pitches

9 Page 9 f 10 SECTION 4 PROGRAM GOALS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND THE ARTS MISSION STATEMENT T prepare emerging and established Christian leaders t inspire, enrich and transfrm the media, the arts, and the academy thrugh excellence and innvatin in schlarship and practice. PROGRAM GOALS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CINEMA-TELEVISION. MFA in Cinema-Televisin: 1. Christian Wrldview Students will demnstrate the ability t integrate & apply the Christian faith & biblical principles t the study & practices f mediated cmmunicatin. 2. Prfessinal Artistry Students will articulate their persnal artistic vice and mastery f the prductin prcess as evidenced by excellence in their creative wrks. 3. Techniques (within majrs): Prducing: Students will demnstrate mastery f cinema and televisin prducing, which includes the develpment f leadership and stewardship skills within a spiritual, scial, cultural, and glbal framewrk. Directing: Students will demnstrate mastery f cinema and televisin directing, in strytelling, pre-visualizatin, prductin design, casting & perfrmance, cinematgraphy, audi, pst-prductin, and the applicatin f Christian leadership skills t the directing prcess. MA in Cmmunicatin: 1. Christian Wrld-View Students will demnstrate the ability t integrate & apply the Christian faith & biblical principles t the study & practices f mediated cmmunicatin. 2. Academics Students will demnstrate knwledge f relevant cmmunicatin theries related t the study f film & televisin. 3. Artistic Practice (within cncentratins) Students will demnstrate prficiency and excellence in the rigrus explratin and applicatin within their chsen artistic cncentratin: Prducing: In the lgistics f a film/tv prductin, including stry and prductin develpment, pre-prductin, scheduling & budgeting, legal issues & business develpment, pst-prductin, distributin, and the applicatin f Christian leadership t the prducing prcess. Directing: In strytelling, pre-visualizatin, prductin design, casting & perfrmance, cinematgraphy, audi, pst-prductin, and the applicatin f Christian leadership skills t the directing prcess. Editing: In pst-prductin including nn-linear, stry structure, wrkflw, acquisitin, sund design, cmpsiting, media frmats & technlgy, graphics, mastering, prductin prcess, and the applicatin f Christian leadership in the pst-prductin prcess. Critical Studies: In the histrical-critical analysis f film and televisin. This will include mastery f classical, cntemprary, and internatinal research methds, critical writing, understanding and applicatin f relevant thery and histries (natinal and internatinal) all cmbined with an understanding f the Christian wrld-view.

10 Page 10 f 10 SECTION 5 UNIVERSITY POLICIES Students shuld becme familiar with all university plicies as utlined in the Student Handbk including: Disability services (Nte: Requests fr accmmdatin must first be submitted thrugh Disability Services). Regent Hnr Cde (as an academic and Christian cmmunity, Regent University takes seriusly the call fr integrity and penalizes breaches f academic integrity.) Withdrawing frm a curse r the University Discipline plicies A link t the Student Handbk can als be fund in Blackbard s RU Resurces tab alng with links t University Library, Student Services, University Bkstre, academic writing assistance resurces, and mre. Blackbard s Help tab prvides additinal resurces including: Blackbard tutrials IT Help Desk cntact infrmatin STUDENT COURSE EVALUATION Students have the pprtunity t prvide feedback thrughut the curse thrugh , telephne, and n-campus appintments. Near the end f the curse, students will cmplete an annymus nline curse evaluatin frm. Since the results cntribute t imprving curse design and presentatin, it is imprtant that students be hnest and cnstructive in their evaluatins. Students will receive an reminder frm the University when it is time t cmplete these evaluatins. Please take time t prvide this input. Students can access the nline evaluatin system at: If yu have questins abut the nline evaluatin please cntact evaluatin@regent.edu. This syllabus is subject t change withut ntice. Last updated: 9/4/2013 Regent University 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, Phne (888) Regent University, All Rights Reserved.