Syllabus: Title of Course

Transcription

1 Syllabus: Title of Course CE 1925 N Spring 2017 Continuing Education Writing for TV and Web Course Information Location: Terra Building Room 1221 Dates: February 2, 9, 16, 23 & March 2 Note: Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 Instructor Information Name: June Fortunato jfortunato@uarts.edu Policy: When you me, please identify your course in your subject line. me as you need. I will also send information to the class via on the day after the class. Be aware that these e- mails are part of the curriculum. Instructor Bio: June currently teaches, American TV, Culture and Society (the history of TV) for UArts, and Writing for TV for Arcadia University. The 15 week writing class is a hands on, writer s Boot-camp, in which attendees write for every format of broadcast and cable television. She works with individual writers as a story consultant to help them find and shape the stories they want to tell. To date, she s coached approximately 65 writers. Other teaching credits include: Scratch to Completion Film Production, Acting for Camera, Film production for Theatre students, Improvisation and writing courses. She also works as an actor coach. With over 35 years of production experience, June journeyed through overlapping careers as a director/writer, audio producer, designer, and technician for corporate events. She is a producer, director and writer of her own works. Her film, Adele s Way broadcast on PBS, and the radio dramas she produced and directed, aired internationally and regionally. Her scripts include: Trance, the PowerPug (Scripts: a TV series) Dual Life, a living film. (Produced) Clinical Trials (Script: Narrative film) Stealing Mama, (Script: Narrative film) Dragon Eye (Script: Narrative film) Course Description This course provides ample video clips and visuals, and demonstrates principles of great writing for broadcast, cable and web dramas. Attendees must share ideas openly, and have a willingness to collaborate and to read your work aloud, and also to read aloud the characters of other attendees scripts. All sit around a large table and face each other in this writers room #UArtsCE

2 set-up. The course is pass/fail, and no tests will be given. The primary objective of this course is to help attendees begin or to further develop a pilot for an original series. Pre-requisites There are no prerequisites for this course; however, if you have a script idea or a script in progress, this course will help you to analyze, develop and improve it using the techniques and personal advice of this class. Recommended preparation: Watch: on Netflix: Show Runners: The Art of Running a TV Show. Sign up for free newsletters from The Wrap. Sign up for podcasts at Nerdist.com The Writer s Panel (Blacker and Acker). There are 300 free episodes with show runners. Course Overview Each class will incorporate open discussion and multiple presentations. Students are responsible for printing scripts, on hard copy.. Readings, viewing, presentations and critiques, will all be part of the curriculum. Course Objectives/Learning Objectives At the end of this course, students will: Understand story structure for Drama and Comedy on TV and the differences when writing a series for the Web. Have a new way of looking at TV and Web dramas. Understand the process and steps to writing a great series. Have a better understanding of TV language and terms. Have made progress on the creation of an original TV or web pilot. Course Resources Software:. Students must use a scriptwriting software, such as Final Draft, or the free software, Celtix Students will have access to the computer labs during the course of the term where Final Draft is available. Literature: Professor will supply a list of resources. Articles, links, and sources will also be supplied by the instructor. Recommended but not Required: As above, in pre-requisites, and including: The Wrap free online newsletter The Hollywood Reporter free online newsletter Nerdist.com podcasts - feature show writers and show runners For Final Draft tutorials and additional help it is recommended to visit Lynda.com or Adobe.com for video tutorials. These tutorials are free and/or low cost. You will be able to access Lynda.com for free using your UArts login. You can also find Final Draft tutorials on You tube. Additional Course Materials Supplies Pen and notepad. Your preferred instrument to write on (Laptop or I-pad, ETC). Final Draft software OR the free software, Celtix. Final Draft is available on campus. Must have access to NETFLIX. 2

3 Must have access to Internet, including you tube, and sites such as The Wrap, Wikipedia, IMDB, etc. and access to broadcast TV is helpful. Course Policies Student Feedback/Communication If you experience an emergency, which will prevent you from completing required coursework on time, please communicate with the instructor at the earliest opportunity via . Attendance + Participation All students are expected to attend classes regularly and PROMPTLY and for the duration of the scheduled instructional time. Individual instructors will decide the optimum time for taking attendance and may penalize for habitual lateness or absence. Repeated absences may result in a grade of FAIL for the course. *Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing. Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal. University Policies Academic Honesty/ Integrity Policy Violations of academic integrity are considered to be acts of academic dishonesty and include (but are not limited to) cheating, plagiarizing, fabrication, denying others access to information or material, and facilitating academic dishonesty, and are subject to disciplinary action. To review the Academic Honesty/ Integrity Policy in its entirety, please visit: Student Code of Conduct It is the policy of the Division of Continuing Studies to provide a safe and healthy environment for learning, personal growth and enjoyment. The well-being of this community depends upon the good judgment and considerate behavior of its members. Student status at The University of the Arts is not an unconditional right, but a privilege subject to certain rules and expectations articulated in the Student Code of Conduct. To review the Student Code of Conduct in its entirety, please visit: Grading Students taking the course for non-credit will still receive a PASS/FAIL grade. The following criteria will be weighed: Component Examples of Components Points Growth Understanding and development based on 40% Projects. Interactions and Exercises Participation Class Discussions and interaction. Openness and 15% helpfulness. Presentations Clarity, Concepts and Peer Feedback. 25% Deadlines & Following Instructions completion and content 20% Total 100% Projects will be graded in the following categories: Development, and presentation. 3

4 Schedule* SESSION + DATE TOPIC COURSEWORK DUE Introduction Overview: Who you are and your goals. This course. Session 1 In-Class work TV defined. Web defined. All classes are visual and incorporate open discussion and collaborative writing. Power point presentation and video clips. Topics include structure, TV composition and elements, and the differences between broadcast; cable TV VS made for the Web. 1) View a video (link will be provided) and take notes. 2) Listen to a podcast (link will be provided) and take notes. 3) Write a brief 5- point checklist for each part of the assignment, to share in class. 4) Brainstorm ideas for your pilot and take notes. Class share reactions to the viewing and listening assignment. Session 2 Elements of a series. Genres, series must haves. Intro to the one- sheet and the show bible. Intro to pitch techniques. Ample video samples. 1) Read the show bible (I will provide via ). 2) Brainstorm your series and make notes. 3) Take notes for your scenario/scene list. Session 3 Reactions and comments to show bible. Story creation. Techniques. Class is collaborative and attendees will share ideas. Professor will provide advice and direction. 4

5 1) Create a story bible for your series and 2) work on your episode s list of scenes. Be sure to incorporate the 7 essential story elements. Share your logline, 4 lead characters, and story conceit. Session 4 Share and develop. Attendees will share their four lead character backgrounds, and story bibles. Professor will provide advice and direction. In class writing exercise with another person. 1) Write the last scene of your episode, and then 2) write the first scene. Session 5 Critique Reactions to the work. Critiques throughout course. Share scenes and conclude. Attendees with share scenes, and co- attendees will read characters. *Lectures and Projects subject to change throughout the course determined by the Instructor. s/ Projects Before second session 1) View a video (link will be provided) and take notes. 2) Listen to a podcast (link will be provided) and take notes. 3) Write a brief 5- point checklist for each part of the assignment, to share in class. 4) Brainstorm ideas for your pilot and take notes. Before third session 1) Read the show bible (I will provide via ). 2) Brainstorm your series and make notes. 3) Take notes for your scenario/scene list. 5

6 Before fourth session 1) Create a story bible for your series and 2) work on your episode s list of scenes. Be sure to incorporate the 7 essential story elements. Before fifth session 1) Write the last scene of your episode, and then 2) write the first scene. 6