SSW 614 Topics: Advanced Scriptwriting - Crawford Syllabus Page 1

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1 SSW 614 Tpics: Advanced Scriptwriting - Crawfrd Syllabus Page 1 Regent University Missin Statement: Our missin is t serve as a leading center f Christian thught and actin prviding an excellent educatin frm a Biblical perspective and glbal cntext in pivtal prfessins t equip 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 614 (MAD) TOPICS IN SCREENWRITING: ADVANCED CINEMATIC WRITING SUMMER 2013 (MAY 27 TH - JULY 28 TH ) DISTANCE COURSE (ONLINE) LECTURE POSTINGS, MONDAYS & THURSDAYS BY 5:00 PM (EASTERN) COURSE INSTRUCTOR: DR. KEVIN CRAWFORD 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. Students, please place yur initials belw t indicate that yu have read and understd the requirements utlined in this syllabus. Online: cut and paste this shaded sectin and t yur prfessr the first week f the curse. Student initials

2 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 2 SECTION 1 COURSE OVERVIEW INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: Instructr: Kevin R. Crawfrd, M.F.A., Ph.D. Telephne: (757) Fax: (757) kevicra@regent.edu Office Hurs: (By Appintment) Office Lcatin: COM 250 SHORT BIO I have been living in the Hamptn Rads area nw fr apprximately nine years. I am a wrking writer. My visin as a writer and a teacher is t explre, incarnate and prmte Truth by all the means Gd has placed at my dispsal. Karl Barth used t say that every Christian needs tw cnversins ne t get ut f the wrld, and ne t get back int it in rder t interact with the culture! I am a lngstanding member f the American Screenwriter s Assciatin and Member f the Writer s Guild f America (Independent Writer's Caucus). I graduated with a B.A. degree in Biblical Studies and Philsphy frm Asbury University, the M.Div. degree in Philsphical Thelgy and Cmparative Religin frm Asbury Thelgical Seminary, the M.F.A. in writing fr film and televisin frm Regent University, and the Ph.D. in Media Cmmunicatin als frm Regent. My dissertatin was n Christpher Nlan and temprality in film. I als run my wn entertainment/media cnsulting firm (Peltn Entertainment Grup) in additin t my script caching and a variety f ther authr/editrial services (w/k&t Literary) since My mtt: Whever tells the stry, defines culture! COURSE DESCRIPTION SSW Tpics in Screenwriting: Advanced Cinematic Writing is a three (3) credit hur summer r semester-length advanced-level screenwriting curse that ffers a variety f tips, tls, and techniques fr fine-tuning the screenplay. Curse emphasis is upn writing mre cinematically frm the page with strng attentin t the rewriting prcess, finding and eliminating flaws. Als, includes a survey f alternative scriptwriting elements designed t encurage writers t explre new ways f seeing their wrk, while stretching their skills. Ideally, students shuld have cmpleted at least ne full length screenplay r teleplay befre undertaking this curse. The curse is designed t help students take existing prjects t the next level instead f being left t rewrite n their wn. SCRIPTURE THEME My heart is stirred by a nble theme as I recite my verses fr the king; my tngue is the pen f a skillful writer. (Psalm 45:1) INTEGRATION OF FAITH This as all curses in the Schl f Cmmunicatin and the Arts is ultimately cncerned with hw the cmmitted Christian can blend his/her faith with what they learn here. Especially f cncern is hw the issues raised by this curse are t be cnsidered in cmparisn t yur wn a priri wrld view. Yu will be urged t cnsider all readings, lectures and discussins in light f yur wn Christian faith. PERSONAL NOTE Many f ur writing curses develp scripts t the treatment, step utline, r even first draft level. Hwever, it is ften left up fr the individual student t rewrite n their wn. This curse was develped t help yu take that prject t the next level.

3 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 3 COURSE PREREQUISITES Since this is an advanced writing class, I assume everyne has taken at least ne scriptwriting curse (e.g., must have taken SSW 510 Stry Structure fr Stage and Screen and/r SSW 612 Writing fr Feature Film). Students shuld als have cmpleted at least ne full length screenplay r teleplay. RATIONALE/COURSE OVERVIEW I find that students smetimes misunderstand the nature f a summer seminar and hence ften have wrng expectatins (r wrse nne at all). Merriam-Webster defines a seminar as (1) a grup f advanced students studying under a prfessr with each ding riginal wrk and all exchanging results thrugh reprts and discussins; and (2) a curse f study pursued by a seminar, an advanced r graduate curse ften featuring infrmality and discussin. Since this is a tpics-driven seminar curse, we will fllw the abve line f reasning in tw tracks. First, I am requiring that yu read the assigned bks and enter int the discussin f bth yur wrk and the wrk f thers... in the light f yur reading. The schedule f readings is designed t keep yu fcused n multiple aspects f yur script as everyne prgresses thrugh their rewrites. The secnd track invlves the specific issues that yu are wrestling with in rewriting yur film script. It is in this track that yu will find the mst freedm f mvement within and arund yur script. The assignments are geared t each student s individual needs. I may recmmend varius films (r assign actual screenplays) that I feel will be beneficial t yu as yu cntinue yur rewrite. All f this is t help yu make this versin f the script as slid and (hpefully) as cmmercially viable as it can be. SECTION 2 COURSE EXPECTATIONS COURSE OUTCOMES By the time yu finish this curse, yu shuld have accmplished these things: Students will cmplete a finished spec/first draft/re-write f an existing screenplay. By mving scripts frm the rugh stage t plished draft with strng attentin t the rewriting prcess, finding and eliminating flaws. By mastering a variety f tips, tls, and techniques fr fine-tuning the screenplay Students will cme t recgnize what cnstitutes a mre marketable (saleable) screenplay with an eye tward attracting agency representatin r management in tday s fast-paced spec market. By cmpleting assigned readings in this categry. By cnsidering alternative scriptwriting elements designed t encurage writers t explre new ways f seeing their wrk, while stretching their skills. By learning t view their wn and fellw writer s scripts as a Hllywd Reader sees them. Students will learn hw t write t a schedule and be guided by self-impsed deadlines. By meeting prject feedback deadlines and wrking t cmplete the required status reprts n their wrk. By learning hw t becme their wn best script dctr. By cmpleting assigned readings in this categry.

4 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 4 Students will learn hw t write mre cinematically (using sensry details in rder t create nt a read but an experience fr the reader). By cmpleting assigned readings in this categry. By practicing varius frmal elements f visual (spec) writing. By implementing a weekly BTHR ( Beating the Hllywd Reader ) checklist. Students will learn the value f cllabratin by advancing their wn and fellw writer s prjects. By giving/receiving develpment ntes. Writers awaiting feedback are ften in a vulnerable psitin. But it desn't mean ne shuld bfuscate - it means learning hw t deliver ne s pinin with kindness and prfessinalism expected in ur industry. Thrugh the practice f peer feedback and learning t wrk with assigned writing partner(s). REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS Students are respnsible fr acquiring the fllwing bks and materials fr this curse befre the first class meeting: (see Curse Schedule belw fr list f required readings) Dancyger, Ken, and Jeff Rush. Alternative Scriptwriting: Successfully Breaking the Rules, 4 th Editin. Bstn: Fcal Press, ISBN-13: Kenning, Jennifer. Hw t Be Yur Own Script Dctr. New Yrk: Cntinuum, ISBN- 13: Seger, Linda. Advanced Screenwriting: Raising Yur Script t the Academy Award Level. Beverly Hills: Silman-James Press, ISBN-13: SOFTWARE Van Sijll, Jennifer. Cinematic Strytelling: The 100 Mst Pwerful Film Cnventins Every Filmmaker Must Knw. Studi City, CA: Michael Wiese Prductins, ISBN-13: If yu want t "wrk" in the industry, smeday (as I am sure all f yu d), then cnsider it an investment in Yu, Inc. It's n different than buying animatin, editing, and prductin, budgeting r scheduling sftware fr yur ther curses. These are simply the tls f ur trade. It is VERY imprtant that students btain ONE (1) f the industry standard screenwriting prgram LISTED BELOW in rder t cmplete class requirements (writing f scripts). If yu d nt already wn ne f these prgrams, BELOW is a list f sftware packages with varius ptins fr yu t chse frm.

5 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 5 I expect yu t have access t ne (1) f these prgrams by the time ur curse begins. Celtx ffers a great free-ware alternative fr students. G t fr infrmatin n hw t rder and dwnlad this free sftware. It takes nly minutes t set up a free accunt. (Nte: the desktp versin f the prgram Celtx Plus is available fr a nminal charge.) I highly recmmend yu purchase the Celtx Plus versin (instead f the Clud versin which is buggy and cumbersme t use.) NOTE: since Celtx files d nt play well with Blackbard all students wh chse t use this sftware ptin will be required t cnvert all scriptwrk t.pdf befre attaching/sending thrugh Bb grading system. FAIR WARNING: if yu send me a native Celtx file that I cannt pen/read/grade yu will receive a grade f ZERO 0 fr that writing assignment and NO re-submit will be allwed. G t fr answers t frequently asked questins. Script Wizard 10 Full service script writing add-n t Micrsft Wrd. (PC nly). Script Wizard 10 requires Micrsft Wrd 2000 r later (Mac versin nt yet supprted). Nte: this is a mdestly priced Windws-based add-n, but yu must have a fully licensed versin f MSWrd already installed n yur PC in rder fr it t wrk. Order Script Wizard at: MvieMagic Screenwriter 6 (r higher) Order frm the Writer s Stre nline at: MvieMagic develpment suite is nw the sftware f chice at Amblin, Carlc, Disney, Fx, HBO, MGM/UA, NBC, New Wrld, Orin, Paramunt, Tri-Star, and Warner Brs. NOTE: Please d nt rder yur sftware frm shell cmpanies and sftware distributrs like JurneyEd.cm, since they dn t actually warehuse the prducts they sell. They use middle-men and ther suppliers wh are ntrius fr taking yur mney and NOT sending yu the sftware fr up t 6-8 weeks! I als suggest yur rder early and set aside time t becme familiar with the features and benefits f yur frmatting sftware. These prgrams are nt difficult t master (n a basics level), but a day spent with the prgram befre the curse begins shuld bst yur cnfidence immensely. Thanks fr taking care f this ahead f time, alng with yur textbk rders! NOTE: Final Draft users Final Draft is anther great prgram but it has knwn issues with Blackbard and Mac OS X Muntain Lin, therefre, I require all scripts written in Final Draft (.fdx, fdr. file frmat, whether Mac r PC) t be cnverted t.pdf befre attaching/sending thrugh Bb grading system. FAIR WARNING: if yu send me a native.fdr/.fdx file that I cannt pen/read/grade yu will receive a grade f ZERO 0 fr that writing assignment and NO re-submit will be allwed.

6 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 6 RECOMMENDED COURSE MATERIALS Hrtn, Andrew. Screenwriting fr a Glbal Market: Selling Yur Scripts frm Hllywd t Hng Kng. University f Califrnia Press, ISBN-13: Friedman, Anthny. Writing fr Visual Media, Third Editin. Bstn: Fcal Press, ISBN: SUGGESTED READING Magazines: Trades/Reference: ADDITIONAL MATERIALS Creative Screenwriting Scr(i)pt: Where Stry Begins Hllywd Representatin Directry ( Hllywd Creative Directry nw ffers ur fur premier directries in ne integrated database fr a lw mnthly subscriptin f nly $19.95/m. Yu can als lg n t the directry free f charge thrugh the Regent University Library at Databases ( Cmmunicatin & the Arts, click Hllywd Creative Directry and fllw the lgin instructins). The Hllywd Reprter ( Yu can als lg n t the Reprter thrugh the Regent University Library at Full Text Jurnal Finder (search Hllywd Reprter and fllw the lgin instructins). PwerPint lectures, links, multimedia resurces, and the like, may be fund n Blackbard in the frm f e-handuts. Students are respnsible fr the infrmatin and materials distributed thrugh Blackbard. Please get in the habit f checking yur Curse Resurces, Week-by-Week menus ften. SCREENINGS We are all adults in this schl. Any film r mvie I encurage yu t study is purely fr educatinal and instructive purpses t develp critical abilities rather than fr entertainment. In the case that visual media recmmended is at the R-rated level, and yu plitely indicate t me that yu are having prblem, I will ffer a substitute at the PG 13 r lighter rating (if available). Or, if nt, I will assign an utside essay r ther academic wrk (such as a psitin paper) in place f the screening. That said as Christians we must be careful t remember: 1) nt even the Bible, itself, pulls the shades n the blemishes f its characters in ther wrds, realism is there fr an apparent purpse, and nt t glss ver the radical depravity f the human heart (Jer. 17:9); 2) if we whitewash human sin and try t sentimentalize the gspel, peple in the wrld will challenge ur dishnesty and may even make light f the answers we ffer. Sin is serius business it cst the sinless Sn f Gd His life n a crss. Fr these reasns, truth des nt change accrding t ur ability t stmach it emtinally. Indeed, the Bible is filled with PG-13, R, and even (what sme might call) X-rated material (i.e., rape, incest, murder, adultery, dismembered cncubines, etc.).

7 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 7 Of curse ur purpse as Christian writers is nt t "glamrize" human sin, r t dwell upn it. But as Cathlic nvelist Flannery O'Cnnr was fnd f saying: "the message f redemptin is f n effect in a wrld withut any memry f the vilence f human sin" (Mystery and Manners). In ther wrds, fr O Cnnr the gspel must becme bad news befre it is gd news, etc. Christian writer and film critic Ken Gire hears Gd speak in the mst unlikely places in his millennial ffering, Reflectins On The Mvies, where he prpses there is ften far mre at stake than ur ffended sensibilities when it cmes t film and art,... I wuld rather be tld an R-rated truth than a G- rated lie (35). In ther wrds, fr Gire, it is nt a G-rated wrld that we live in and yet ur Gd is present t speak in/thrugh everything. A WORD ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING First, let me cngratulate yu n yur decisin t tackle this curse nline and during the summer. I am a firm believer f the anecdtal evidence that mre learning ften ccurs n-line than n-campus, s kuds t each f yu! Since this is an nline learning experience (and may be new t sme f yu), I thught I d ffer sme rules f thumb t ensure success: 1. Befre yu d anything else, please make a hard cpy f this syllabus and keep it near yur cmputer fr reference. While it may nt be inspired, it cnstitutes yur bible fr the curse. Having a readily available hard cpy f the syllabus in yur wrk area will make it easy fr yu t turn quickly fr answers vs. leaving it buried in the digital wasteland f yur laptp r PC. I find that 99.99% f questins students generally ask are already cvered in the syllabus. S please READ carefully. 2. This is an electrnic classrm, nt a series f individual study mdules. In ther wrds, yu dn t just sign-in whenever yu feel like it. Althugh yu are free t wrk at yur wn pace, we mve steadily thrugh this curse tgether. S plan t check yur Regent and the curse website in Bb (Blackbard) at least twice-weekly (n Mndays and Thursdays). Blackbard is accessible via the MyRegent Prtal ( where yu check yur Regent , Genisys accunt, etc. BE SURE t cmpletely familiarize yurself with the layut f the curse in Blackbard (all menus). 3. All f yur imprtant dcuments (e.g., yur majr assignments) may be sent t me in ne f tw ways: a. Via the Assignment Manager windw prvided in the Assignments (Week-by-Week) menu. (See link: View/Cmplete Assignment ), r by b. Drpping ( attaching ) a CLEARLY LABELED cpy t me utilizing the Blackbard feature. I much prefer the first methd (a.), since yur assignment cmes directly int my grade bk fr cmment and feedback. I recgnize that these prcesses may nt wrk flawlessly and that any prcess may take a little bit f experimentatin at first. Take heart! All mechanical and electrnic glitches can be wrked ut eventually. One f the cmpnents f my life philsphy is expressed in the fllwing sentence NOTHING IS SIMPLE. This is especially true with technlgically driven experiences. Simply expect that things may nt wrk at first. Becme mre resilient. Grw in patience. Yu will be a better persn. Be a schlarly pilgrim and faithful scribe. 4. Keep up with the recmmended readings and required pstings each week. It s a cinch-by-the-inch, but hard-by-the- yard! We live in a wrld where nearly everything takes lnger than it des, s be diligent. Please dn t wait until the last pssible minute t try and cram everything in yu will enjy the curse a lt mre! Screenwriters aren t late r they aren t screenwriters fr very lng. USE OF BLACKBOARD Blackbard (Bb) has five primary purpses in ur curses: (1) t prvide a means fr students t receive timely infrmatin abut the curse in general, assignments, grades, and annuncements frm the

8 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 8 instructr; (2) t prmte thughtful interactin between the instructr and students and amng students themselves as they wrk thrugh curse materials; (3) t prvide a means fr students t cmplete quizzes, writing assignments, and ther frms f evaluatin; (4) t enhance the learning prcess by prviding a variety f materials; and (5) t enable students t check their grades. Students cmplete their weekly assignments as psted/directed in Blackbard. Students are expected t check the Annuncements sectin f Blackbard each week beginning tw weeks befre the start f the curse. ING YOUR INSTRUCTOR Students must keep their address current AND under quta by regularly archiving r emptying unanswered mail, mail left in message flders, etc. Students are expected t check their Regent daily t ensure timely receipt f messages frm the prfessr. Please use yur regent.edu address, as it appears in GENISYS, when crrespnding with yur prfessr. The nly address I will use t cmmunicate with yu is yur fficial RU accunt check that accunt regularly. I answer s in the rder in which they are received. Hwever, since I receive as many as ne hundred + s per day in all my ther classes, yu may have t wait t get a respnse. Please practice patience and I will extend t yu the same curtesy. If I send an (grup r individual) and I d nt receive and errr respnse frm the RU Server r Blackbard, I will assume yu have received it and will hld yu respnsible fr its cntents. NOTE: If yu attempt t cmmunicate with me frm utside the RU platfrm I will nt answer yu this is due t FERPA legislatin and campus Internet security requirements. D nt crrespnd with me r send attachments thrugh.htmail,.gmail,.yah r ther utside systems. Always use the regent.edu and/r RU Bb Cmmunicatin platfrm. Further the subject line f all messages related t this curse shuld include the curse number (e.g., SSW 614) and the name f the student (Example, SSW 614_JhnSmith; SSW 614_MaryJnes). Fllwing these directins enables the prfessr t quickly identify the student and curse, facilitating a timely respnse. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION Attendance and active participatin is required in rder t cmplete this curse. Nte: Internatinal students shuld cnsult the Office f Internatinal Student Services befre registering fr a Distance r Mdular curse. Regent University recgnizes the imprtance f class attendance and participatin fr students learning. While attendance alne des nt guarantee learning, engagement with the class thrugh regular attendance and participatin is essential t learning, bth t the individual student and t the class itself as all benefit by thers cntributins. At Regent University, class attendance, understd as the act f being present, is cnsidered t be separate frm participating in the class, understd as active engagement thrugh discussin and ther frms f interactin. Bth are valuable t student learning. Like ther institutins f higher educatin, Regent University is required t maintain accurate attendance recrds by the U.S. Department f Educatin. Attendance is tracked weekly. Fr any week (7 days frm Mnday t Sunday) in which a student des nt attend class time r, fr nline classes, lg int the curse in Blackbard at least twiceweekly, the student will be marked absent in the Blackbard grade bk. The standard by which a final date f attendance in the class is measured will be the last date n which the nline student lgs int the curse in Blackbard r the n campus attends the n-campus class fr a curse, whichever is mre recent. Students shuld be aware that this date culd affect their financial aid and financial bligatins. Nrmally, expectatins fr participatin such as thse fr quality wrk in the grup discussins (including thse in Blackbard)--differ frm the minimal requirements fr attendance. Thus, at the

9 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 9 instructr's discretin, a student wh is present r absent might lse participatin pints. Instructrs determine whether students may gain back lst participatin pints (fr example, thrugh additinal wrk). Students shuld be aware that instructrs fllw their psted plicy fr receiving late wrk frm students (see belw). Wrk turned in late (papers, discussin bard psts, etc.) culd result in the lss f participatin pints r ther cmpnents f the final curse grade. Instructrs are respnsible t maintain accurate recrds regarding attendance and t fllw curse plicies fr grading student wrk, including students participatin. Students are respnsible t attend and participate in class and t fllw campus plicies. Fur (4), r mre, unexcused absences may result in failure f the curse. I als reserve the right t deduct up t 10% frm yur final grade fr late attendance/habitual absence frm class. ONLINE PARTICIPATION Twice per week I will pst a lecture, series f discussin questins, checklist, r ther techniques fr yu t cmment n and apply t the re-writing prcess (Mnday and Thursday afternns nrmally by 5:00pm). Yur participatin grade cmes largely frm yur participatin in these weekly discussins. Use the syllabus as a guide fr what t expect. (See Class Schedule belw.) Yur discussins and assigned psting are due as fllws: - Please respnd t ALL Mnday psts and assigned wrk by Thursday, midnight f the same week. - Please respnd t ALL Thursday psts and assigned wrk by Sunday, midnight f that weekend. In additin t psting yur wn wrk, students must als ffer a Respnse Pst t at least tw (2) ther student s Original Psts (bi-weekly) during the curse. These psts shuld be wrds in length and shuld be psted n later than Thursday r Sunday midnight as indicated abve. Student cmments shuld be respectful and supprtive even when given in defense f an ppsing view. Beynd giving/receiving creative feedback, ne f the gals f this curse is t prvide students with the pprtunity t learn hw t give and receive criticism apprpriately; r, in ther wrds, hw t take ntes as we call it in this business. The ideal pst will be curteus even when critical f a fellw writer s creative chices. Als, I want yu t be slutin-riented. If yu find that a particular tip, tl, r technique was helpful t yu whether it came frm the readings, ntes, r my lectures please share this with the class. Please knw that I mnitr all discussin threads and I may enter the discussins, at any time. Hwever, when I chse nt t enter the discussin by writing my wn pst, be assured that it is nt because I have nt read yur psts. I always mnitr discussin threads, whether my name appears in them r nt, in rder that by the end f the curse I have a firm grasp f the quality f yur discussin cntributins. Als, Blackbard allws me t call up a quantitative review f each individual s cntributins t threaded discussins, s it is a relatively easy matter t determine this grss quantitative aspect f yur achievement by curse end. I m saying here that it is imprtant fr yu keep up n discussins and that they will be mnitred by me. Yur participatin will be a significant part f yur curse grade. Besides, it is frustrating when the rest f the curse members must g back t ld discussin threads just because ne r tw persns did nt keep up n reading r bther t make discussin respnses when they were due. ASSIGNMENTS A. Prject Status Reprt: (wrth 25% f yur final grade) This is a serius evaluatin f yur wn wrk t this pint. It includes all wrk yu have dne s far (i.e., the wrking title, lgline, tagline, synpsis, genre, any develpment histry, latest draft, etc.), and a plan fr what yu will need t d t take the script t the next level. Fr example: frm utline t treatment phase, frm rugh t first draft, scene-wrk, edit and plish, etc. (See Class Schedule belw)

10 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 10 B. Participatin: (wrth 25% f yur final grade) Since the success f this curse depends upn regular writing and rewriting, I am expecting that yu stay n a regular schedule f writing, self-evaluatin and critique. This will als invlve keeping up with the assigned readings and cmmenting n each ther s wrk. C. Finished Draft: (wrth 50% f yur final grade) At the end f the curse yu will turn in a finished draft. Ideally, this shuld be a first r subsequent draft f a full-length screenplay ( pages). Since this is an advanced writing curse, I d nt have time t teach yu frmatting. But I expect all screenplays t be submitted in flawless industry standard frmat upn cmpletin. A prly frmatted script will be marked at least ne full letter grade lwer. [Nte: if yu have any dubts abut hw t write in spec screenplay frmat, I suggest getting a cpy f Dave Trttier s The Screenwriter s Bible: A Cmplete Guide T Writing, Frmatting, and Selling Yur Script, 5 th Editin. Ls Angeles, CA: Silman-James Press, ISBN-13: ]. Final Scripts are due: Sunday, July 28 th 2013 by 5:00 pm. SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS Unless therwise instructed, all assignments fr this curse must be submitted via the Assignment Link fund in Blackbard. (Directins hw t use Assignment links can be fund under Help tab and Tutrials. See als the Assignments sectin f Blackbard fr mre detailed instructins.) 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 (.dc/.dcx) cmpliant with the MLA writing style guide. If yu send me a file that I cannt read, I will autmatically enter a grade f 0 fr that assignment. Scripts shuld be in MvieMagic (.scw/.mmsw), ScriptWizard (.dc/.dcx) sftware frmat. NOTE: IF yu are using Celtx r Final Draft (as nted abve) yu must CONVERT ALL SCRIPT WORK TO.PDF befre attaching/sending thrugh Blackbard. All ther file types will be returned t yu with a grade f 0. 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 the day f the day f the week specified in the syllabus (see Curse Schedule belw) r as nted n Blackbard. 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 Screenwriters aren t late r they aren t screenwriters fr very lng. Meeting assignment deadlines and class participatin is a substantial prtin f yur ttal grade and is imprtant t yur persnal and prfessinal develpment. Wrk nt submitted within fur (4) days f the assignment due date will be nrmally given a grade f 0. Unless prir arrangements have been made with the Prfessr, there is a grade reductin f 10% pints per day thrugh the furth day. At the Prfessr s discretin, late wrk may be received fr credit nly under extenuating circumstances. Timely cmmunicatin with me is f paramunt imprtance, if yu are experiencing setback r difficulty. NOTE: The Department f Cinema-Televisin is hlding its Summer Film sht during the first half f ur curse. While n campus and lcal area students are encuraged t participate, please be advised that

11 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 11 invlvement with the summer film prject will nt excuse yu frm regular and timely participatin in ur curse. 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. A final wrd: if fr any reasn yu are having technical issues r difficulty submitting yur assignments n-time (as required), yu shuld immediately cntact Blackbard supprt bbardsupprt@regent.edu and/r Regent IT helpdesk@regent.edu. As tragic as it may be, n many levels, lsing cmputer access a crashed cmputer hard drive, r ther prblems, including Internet Access will nt excuse lack f participatin in the curse. All mnetary burden and respnsibility fr cmputer equipment, maintenance, and viable nline (Internet) access are brne by the student. In any case, I will require cpies f any/all prblems reprted and matching replies frm ur Regent Supprt Staff in rder t ffer yu credit fr any late assignments. Be advised the crrespndence dates f yur reprted utage r prblem MUST als match the late assignment date(s) in questin. METHOD OF EVALUATION The final grade fr the curse will reflect mastery f curse cntent and quality f thught as expressed in the fllwing majr assignments: Assignment Weight PROJECT STATUS REPORT (Parts 1 & 2) 25% PARTICIPATION (Wkly Discussin + Feedback Assignment) 25% FINISHED DRAFT 50% TOTAL: 100% The fllwing grading scale will be used: Grade Percentage Scre Quality Pints A A B B B C C C D D D F SECTION 3 COURSE SCHEDULE PRINT A COPY OF THIS SCHEDULE AND KEEP IT NEAR YOUR WORKSPACE/DESK, ENTER IT INTO YOUR BLACKBERRY, PDA, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC CALENDAR DEVICE. LEGEND: (READINGS)

12 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 12 S = Advanced Screenwriting by Seger K = Hw T Be Yur Own Script Dctr by Kenning V = Cinematic Strytelling by Van Sijll D & R= Alternative Scriptwriting by Dancyger and Rush Optinal Readings: (as assigned/student discretin) H = Screenwriting fr a Glbal Market by Hrtn F = Writing fr Visual Media by Friedman. DATES TOPICS/ASSIGNMENTS READINGS/POSTINGS Week 1A Mnday, May 27 Week 1B Thursday, May 30 Week 2A Mnday, Jun. 3 Intrductin t the Curse Strytelling Basics I: Review status f yur prject. Beating the Hllywd Reader (BTHR) Checklist #1: The Idea TURN IN PROJECT STATUS REPORT: Part 1. Strytelling Basics II: Review status f yur prject. BTHR Checklist #2: Structure Part 1 Welcme: Stp by the Discussin Frum (under Cmmunity ), and intrduce yurself t everyne. Pst a picture f yurself and an intrductry message. Like a facebk page, ur Cmmunity frum shuld give yur classmates a snapsht f wh yu are, and where yu are in the writer s jurney, etc. I trust I will see everybdy up there by the end f this week. S = Ch. 1 A Realistic Tale Well-Tld K = Intrductin; Part I Prepping fr Script Surgery D & R = Ch. 24 Rewriting V = Intrductin F = at yur leisure/ptin S = Ch. 2 A Cinematic Tale Well-Tld V = Chs. 1-3 D & R = Ch. 1 Beynd the Rules F = at yur leisure/ptin

13 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 13 S = Ch. 3 Keep it Mving, Mving, Mving V = Chs. 4-5 Week 2B Thursday, Jun. 6 Stry Flw BTHR Checklist #3: Structure Part 2 TURN IN PROJECT STATUS REPORT: Part 2. D & R = Ch. 2 Structure H = Ch. 10 Building a Screenplay: A Five-Act Paradigm, r, What Syd Field Didn t Tell Yu F = at yur leisure/ptin Send yur Prject Status Reprt (Parts 1 & 2) t the Instructr and pst cpies n Bb t the tw (2) writers assigned t review yur wrk. Week 3A Mnday, Jun. 10 Scenewrk: Basics BTHR Checklist #4: Scenes Part 1 S = Ch. 4 Making a Scene K = Ch. 3 Operatin Scene D & R = Ch. 3 Critique f Restrative Three-Act Frm V = Ch. 8 F = at yur leisure/ptin Week 3B Thursday, Jun. 13 Scenewrk: Reversals BTHR Checklist #5: Scenes Part 2 S = Ch. 5 Twists and Turns; Secrets and Lies K = Ch. 4 Operatin Premise and Theme D & R = Ch. 4 Cunter-Structure V = Ch. 9 F = at yur leisure/ptin

14 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 14 Week 4A The Spine f the Stry S = Ch. 6 What s It Really Abut K = Ch. 6 Operatin Structure and Plt V = Ch. 10 Mnday, Jun. 17 BTHR Checklist #6: Frmatting D & R = Ch. 6 Narrative and Anti- Narrative: The Case f the Tw Stevens: The Wrk f Steven Spielberg and Steven Sderbergh F = at yur leisure/ptin Week 4B Thursday, Jun. 20 Scenewrk: Expsitin BTHR Checklist #7: Descriptin TURN IN FEEDBACK ASSIGNMENT... S = Ch. 7 Shw, Dn t Tell V = Chs D & R = Chs. 7-9 Wrking with and Against Genre F = at yur leisure/ptin Send yur feedback assignment t the Instructr and pst cpies t the tw (2) writers assigned fr yu t review. Week 5A Mnday, June 24 Character Develpment I BTHR Checklist #8: Characters Part 1 S = Ch. 8 There s Mre t a Character Than Meets the Eye K = Ch. 5 Operatin Character V = Chs D & R = Ch. 12 Reframing the Active/Passive Character Distinctin F = at yur leisure/ptin Week 5B Thursday, June 27 Character Develpment II BTHR Checklist #9: Characters Part 2 S = Ch. 9 - D Yur Characters Change and Grw? V = Chs D & R = Ch. 13 Stretching the Limits f Character Identificatin F = at yur leisure/ptin

15 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 15 July 1-7 Week 6A Mnday, July 8 4 th f JULY BREAK -- NO CLASS THIS WEEK! Dialgue Devices BTHR Checklist #10: Dialgue Nthing Due Use this time t rest, catch up n readings, r wrk ahead. S = Ch Say it Well D & R = Ch. 15 Subtext, Actin, and Character F = at yur leisure/ptin Week 6B Thursday, July 11 Yur Writing Vice BTHR Checklist #11: Executin S = Ch Creating a Style K = Part III Csmetic Surgery V = Ch. 17 D & R = Ch. 21 Dramatic Vice/Narrative Vice; Ch. 23 Writing the Narrative Vice H = Ch. 3 Eight Wrldwide Prjects Up Clse F = at yur leisure/ptin Week 7A Mnday, July 15 Knwing Yur Audience BTHR Checklist #12: Prfessinalism S = Ch Rar f the Crwd K = Part IV Sterilized Tls fr Stitching Yur Script Back Up D & R = Ch. 16 The Primacy f Character Over Actin: The Nn-American Screenplay H = Ch. 9 Lew Hunter s Wrldwide Screenwriting 434 F = at yur leisure/ptin Week 7B Thursday, July 18 BTHR Checklist #13: The Industry Part 1 D & R = Ch. 25 Adaptatins frm Cntemprary Literature H = Ch. 11 I Want Mvies t Surprise, Stimulate, and Shck Audiences : An Interview with Terry Gilliam F = at yur leisure/ptin

16 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 16 Week 8A Mnday, July 22 BTHR Checklist #14: The Industry Part 2 (Marketing and Selling yur script) D & R = Chs Persnal Scriptwriting: The Edge... Beynd the Edge H = Fade Out: Cnclusins, New Beginnings; Appendix 5. Finding an Agent, Prducer, r Guardian Angel F = at yur leisure/ptin Week 8B Thursday, July 25 Final Thughts n Rewriting F = at yur leisure/ptin July 28 th (Sun. by 5 PM) COMPLETED full-length DRAFT f yur Screenplay is DUE... (N extensins: wrked graded n what is cmpleted by this date) 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-TELEVISION: Christian Wrldview Students will demnstrate the ability t integrate & apply the Christian faith & biblical principles t the study & practices f mediated cmmunicatin. Prfessinal Artistry Students will articulate their persnal artistic vice and mastery f the prductin prcess as evidenced by excellence in their creative wrks. 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. Script & Screenwriting: The student will demnstrate mastery f script & screenwriting fr televisin, cinema, & stage-plays, in idea, stry, & character develpment, narrative strategies, frmat & scene cnstructin, pitching & marketing, and the applicatin f Christian leadership t the script & screenwriting prcess. MA IN COMMUNICATION: Christian Wrld-View Students will demnstrate the ability t integrate & apply the Christian faith & biblical principles t the study & practices f mediated cmmunicatin.

17 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 17 Academics Students will demnstrate knwledge f relevant cmmunicatin theries related t the study f film & televisin. 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 pstprductin 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. Script & Screenwriting: In idea, stry, & character develpment, narrative strategies, frmat & scene cnstructin, pitching & marketing, and the applicatin f Christian leadership t the script & screenwriting prcess. 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

18 Summer Advanced Cinematic Writing Page 18 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: 3/15/2013 Template versin 8/2012 Regent University 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, Phne (888) Regent University, All Rights Reserved.