RTVF INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING. or, Writing for Visual Media. Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:50 AM (Media Arts building room 180-i)

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1 RTVF INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING or, Writing for Visual Media Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:50 AM (Media Arts building room 180-i) INSTRUCTOR: Garrett Graham. You can just call me Garrett OFFICE HOURS: Media Arts 180-C Mon/Tues 11:00 AM 12:00 PM (and by appointment) COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course offers an introduction to scriptwriting for a variety of media: commercials, PSAs, fiction films, documentaries, and the web with an emphasis on the art of visual writing. Students will produce their own short film script while contributing to and critiquing the work of their fellow classmates. In this class, collaboration and the ability to take and give constructive criticism is as important as individual creativity. COURSE OBJECTIVES: To become familiar with the broad field of media writing. To learn how to write visually and in a format appropriate to the medium. To go through the stages of writing a PSA and/or commercial scripts. To go through the stages of writing a short film script. To learn how to research and write a documentary proposal. To learn how to plan for feature length scripts and episodic scripts. To develop con fidence in communicating and editing ideas for media projects. Part of your grade for this class is your demonstrated knowledge of the readings during class discussions. Students are expected to have the readings done BEFORE the class period when that reading is being discussed. REQUIRED READINGS: The Short Screenplay by Dan Gurskis Introduction to Documentary by Bill Nichols Documentary Storytelling by Sheila Curran Bernard RECOMMENDED READING: Writing for Visual Media, 4th Edition, by Anthony Friedmann

2 ASSIGNMENTS: 1.) Non-Verbal Script (1-2 pages)... 5 % 2.) PSA or Commercial (1-2 pages) % - includes one 3 minute pitch 3.) Short Script (6-8 pages) % - treatment, outline, rough draft, revised draft, final draft, individual meeting with the instructor, and a cold read for the class 4.) Documentary Outline and Treatment (3-4 pages) % - Outline, Treatment, and 5 minute pitch 5.) TV/Web/New Media Series Treatment & Outline (3-4 pages) % - Treatment, outline, group workshop, & 10 minute group pitch 6.) Weekly Writing % 7.) Participation % ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY: More than two unexcused absences will cause your overall grade to drop 5% (or 1 2 a letter grade) per absence. If you are more than five minutes late to class, you will be counted as absent for that day. Assignments are accepted ONLY on the day they are due. If received on the due date past the specified time, the work will be accepted but with points deducted. Beyond the due date, no late work will be accepted. Unless cleared with the instructor, the use of computers and mobile phones in the classroom is considered an absence and will be marked as such for each occurrence. Academic Dishonesty: While adaptations of public domain works are permitted in class, you must clear each instance of adaptation with the instructor. If you pass off the work of another artist or student as your own without proper attribution and communication with the instructor, you will receive a failing grade on that speci fic assignment. Communication: You MUST check your and Blackboard accounts regularly in an effort to have the latest information regarding class meetings and assignments. Participation: Contribution to classroom discussions and critiques is an important element of the learning process. Participation indicates that you have read the assigned readings and are also mentally present in the classroom.

3 Weekly Reading: Anthony Friedmann s Writing for Visual Media is used to create the structure of the class and is recommended but not required reading. Required reading for the course includes The Short Screenplay by Dan Gurskis as well as screenplays and additional readings posted on Blackboard. Your ability to consider and discuss the readings will contribute to your participation grade. Weekly Writing: Each week you will be assigned exercises that will serve to keep your writing skills active. These exercises will mostly be drawn from Now Write! by Ellis and Lamson. Your grade for this work will depend on perceivable effort. Warning: It is possible that mature or audio/visual content will sometimes be screened during class time. By remaining enrolled, you acknowledge and accept this element of the course. MOBILE DEVICE POLICY: The UNT Department of RTVF/Media Arts prohibits the use of mobile devices during class. This includes but is not limited to cell phones, smart phones and personal computers. All such devices should be put away and silenced before class starts. DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION: The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Of fice of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact them by phone at COURSE EVALUATION: The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. I am very interested in your feedback so please consider taking advantage of this opportunity. Syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

4 CLASS SCHEDULE: Tues. Aug 25: Introduction Thurs. Aug 27: Visual Writing / Idea Development Tues. Sept 1: Idea Development continued Friedmann: Ch1- Describing One Medium Through Another Gurskis: Ch 1 - Shorts Thurs. Sept 3: Idea Development & Basic Formatting Friedmann: Ch 2- A Seven Step Method for Developing a Creative Concept *Assignment Due: Non-Verbal Script Tues. Sept 8: Script Development Friedmann: Ch 3- Describing Sight and Sound Gurskis: Ch 2 - Character Thurs. Sept 10: Sight and Sound Friedmann: Ch 4- The Stages of Script Development Tues. Sept 15: PSA's & Commercials Friedmann: Ch 5- Ads and PSAs: Copywriting for Visual Media Gurskis: Ch 3 - Narrative Thurs. Sept 17: PSAs & Commercials continued Friedmann: Ch 6-Corporate Communication Activity: Small Group Workshops Tues. Sept 22: PSA/Commercial Presentations *Assignment Due: PSA Script or Commercial Script Due Individual Presentations (3 minutes) Thurs. Sept 24: Dramatic Structure Friedmann: Ch 8-Dramatic Structure and Form Read: Short screenplay examples Tues. Sept 29: Dramatic Structure continued Gurskis: Ch 4 - Dialogue

5 Thurs. Oct 1: Dramatization Gurskis: Ch 5 Development *Assignment Due: Short Script Treatment & Outline Tues. Oct 6: Visualization Gurskis: Ch 7 - Format Activity: Group Treatment Workshops *Assignment Due: Short Script Rough Draft Sunday October 11 th by 12:00 PM Thurs. Oct 8: Script Workshop 1 Read: Your workshop partners scripts. Activity: Small Group Workshops Tues. Oct 13: Script Workshop 2 Read: Your workshop partners scripts. Activity: Small Group Workshops *Assignment Due: Short Script Revised Draft Sunday October 18 th by 12:00 PM Thurs. Oct 15: One-on-One Script Development Meetings Tues. Oct 20: One-on-One Script Development Meetings *Assignment Due: Short Script Final Draft Sunday October 25 th by 12:00 PM Thurs. Oct 22: Short Script Cold Reads / Group Critique Gurskis: Ch 6 Production Tues. Oct 27: Short Script Cold Reads / Group Critique Read: Feature Screenplay of your choice Thurs. Oct 29: Documentary Writing Friedmann: Ch 7-Documentary and Non fiction Narrative Tues. Nov 3: Documentary Writing Introduction to Documentary by Bill Nichols (E-Book) Ch 1 How Can We Define Documentary Film? Ch 2 Why Are Ethical Issues Central to Doc Film?

6 Thurs. Nov 5: Documentary Writing continued Documentary Storytelling by Sheila Curran Bernard (E-Book) Read: Part 1-Understanding Story Tues. Nov 10: Documentary Writing continued Documentary Storytelling by Sheila Curran Bernard Read: Part 2-Working with Story Thurs. Nov 12: Documentary Pitch Presentations *Assignment Due: Documentary Concept & Treatment Tues. Nov 17: Documentary Pitch Presentations Thurs. Nov 19: Writing Web and TV Series Friedmann: Ch 10-Television Series, Sitcoms and Soaps Tues. Nov 24: Group Workshops *Assignment Due: TV/Web Series Treatment and Outline Friedmann: Ch 11-Writing and Interactive Design Thurs. Nov 26 Sun. Nov 29: Thanksgiving Break! No Class Tues. Dec 1: Group Workshops Friedmann: Ch 12-Writing for Interactive Communications Thurs. Dec 3: Final Assignment: Group Presentations Syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

7 RTVF First Assignment Non-Verbal Script Write a 1-2 page script that focuses on one or two characters. The film cannot have any dialogue, but it must tell a compelling visual story that reaches a satisfying conclusion. Do not worry about precise formatting at this point. Avoid overly long single-spaced blocks of text. Focus on writing visually while remaining succinct and descriptive. Include a beginning, middle, and end in your script. DO NOT describe camera shots or camera movement in your script. Examples of non-verbal short films will be viewed and discussed in class so that you will have a clear idea of what is expected from this assignment. Thursday, September 3rd Non Verbal script is due. This assignment counts for 5% of your total course grade.

8 RTVF Second Assignment Public Service Announcement (PSA) or Commercial Script Write a 1-2 page PSA script on an issue of your choice. Identify a non-fiction, real-world social issue or problem that affects your audience. Conclude with a possible solution or suggestion with a persuasive argument. Don't just describe the problem and insist that it's a serious issue and nothing more. OR.. Write a 1-2 page commercial advertising a product of your choosing. You may come up with your own imaginary product or service. You may select a pre-existing product or organization and write a spec commercial. AND... Prepare a presentation that visualizes either your PSA or Commercial for the class. *Although your PSA and Commercial scripts should each take 1 minute of screen time if produced, you may have up to 3 minutes to present and explain your visuals. Tuesday September 22nd - Final PSA or Commercial and Presentation are Due On September 22 turn in the final draft of your PSA or commercial script and present your idea to the class. Be prepared to answer questions about its rhetoric, messaging etc. Part of your grade will be how well you receive and respond to constructive criticism. PSA Script... 5 points Presentation... 5 points Constructive Criticism... 5 points This assignment counts for 15% of your total course grade.

9 RTVF Third Assignment Short Master Scene Format Script For the third assignment, we will concentrate on the process of developing and writing a short form script (6-8 pages) in the master scene script format. This assignment will take you through the stages of idea development, drafting, formatting, workshopping, re-writing, polishing, and finally, presenting a short script via a cold read in class. The cold read consists of a live read-through of your script by your classmates. You will not participate in the reading of your own script since it is important for you to experience your script as a listening audience member. This assignment is worth 30% of your total course grade (see the grade breakdown below). Thursday, October 1: Short Script Treatment & Outline Sunday, October 11: Short Script Rough Draft Due by 12:00 pm Thursday, October 8: 1st Workshop Day March 9th Bring 2-4 copies of your script Tuesday, October 13: 2nd Workshop Day March 11th Bring 2-4 copies of your script Sunday, October 18: Short script revised draft Due by 12:00 pm October 15 20: Individual Meetings with Instructor (15-20 min) Bring your own script Sunday October 25: Short Script Final Draft Due October 22 27: Short Script Cold Reads / Group Critique. Treatment & Outline points Rough Draft Script... 5 points Workshop Participation... 5 points Individual Meeting (with Revised Draft)... 5 points Final Draft Script points Cold Read / Group Critique Participation points Total points

10 RTVF Fourth Assignment Documentary Outline, Treatment and Pitch Assignment For this assignment, you will write a documentary outline and treatment (3-4 pages total). This assignment will take you through the stages of documentary idea development, research, proposal formulation, and the pitching of your idea in class. You must select an existing subject. The fabrication of characters and situations should be avoided. Documentary is about the creative treatment of actuality (John Grieson) However, you may predict and hope for ideal situations during the production of your proposed documentary. Your proposal must demonstrate research and knowledge of your subject. The pitch consists of an organized presentation of your concept that should last no less than 5 minutes. It is, to some extent, a sales speech. Thursday, November 12: Documentary Outline & Treatment Due Thursday, November 12: Documentary Pitch Session 1 Tuesday, November 17: Documentary Pitch Session 2 Concept and Treatment points Pitch Session... 5 points This assignment counts for 15% of your total course grade.

11 RTVF Fifth Assignment TV, Web, or New Media Series For your fifth and final assignment, you will write a treatment and outline for a television show, web series, or multi-media/new media experience. This is your opportunity to imagine a story that can possibly extend for many hours as a network series or as an ongoing web-based experience. It is also an opportunity to consider creating something more experimental and outside of the commonplace narrative forms within which we have been working. You will be expected to turn in a written treatment (2-3 pages) and an outline (2-3 pages). You will then share your individual idea with your group and collectively decide upon one idea to green light. As a group, you will prepare a presentation based on the selected idea. This final assignment is worth 15% of your final grade. Tuesday November 24: Treatment and Outline Due Thursday December 3: Final Group Presentation Treatment/Outline... 5 points Group Presentation points