Faculty of: Arts and Business Teaching Session: Semester 1 Year: 2018 Course Coordinator: Rebecca Belfield-Kennedy Email: rbelfie1@usc.edu.au Course outline Code: CMN200 Title: Introduction to Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description This course introduces you to the foundational aspects of Screenwriting, with an emphasis on the fundamentals of visual storytelling and dramatic form. It explores the basic elements of character, conflict, dramatic structure and dialogue, in addition to providing a comprehensive analysis of film genres, adaptations, shot and sound design, point of view and setting. This course develops skills for those with an interest in media production, and specifically those who aspire to become screenwriters, script editors, directors, producers and/or creative executives. 1.2 Course content Fundamentals of storytelling and the dramatic form Basic elements of dramatic structure: o plot, scene development, character, theme, genre, and dialogue Composition of screenplays according to industry standards 2. Unit value 12 units Recfind Number: F20846
Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Graduate Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Critically analyse and reflect upon creative practices in relation to selected visual, literary and dramatic texts; Develop original ideas and apply the narrative elements of characterisation, plot, conflict, dramatic structure and setting when creating or adapting dramatic texts for the screen. Demonstrate film industry codes, conventions, and formats in creating screenplays in alignment with industry standards. Critically evaluate, edit and perform your own and others' work. 1 and 3 Knowledgeable. 1, 2 and 3 Creative and critical thinkers. 2 and 3 Empowered. 1 and 3 Engaged. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions 4.2 Pre-requisites CMN104 or CMN105 or DRA101 or DRA102 4.3 Co-requisites 4.4 Anti-requisites 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
Page 3 5.2 Assessment tasks Task No. Assessment Tasks Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it? 1 Journal and Tutorial Individual 20% 1000 words Week 12 Blackboard Participation 2 Dramatic Scene Individual 35% 1500 words Week 6 Blackboard 3 Short Story Adaptation Individual 45% 2500 words Week 13 Blackboard 100% Assessment Task 1: Journal and Tutorial Participation Goal: The goal of this task is to encourage you to keep a creative journal throughout the course. Product: Creative Journal (minimum 1000 words of original content) with text, photos, film/book reviews, links to film/writing related websites, YouTube clips (film trailers, interviews with writers & directors) film and story ideas, character profiles and in-class writing exercises (available in the weekly tutorial slides on Blackboard.) Format: This is an individual assessment task. Your creative journal will contain material that you find personally interesting and helpful in creating potential story ideas. Further, the journal will support your tutorial participation by including the weekly in-class creative writing activities. The creative journal can either be in the format of a hand-written "scrapbook," or a word-processed text document. If hand-written, individual pages will need to be scanned and submitted as a PDF document. (Examples of both styles are available on Blackboard.) Criteria This task is assessed according to level of achievement in the following: - Completion of journal which must contain in-class writing activities and collected material related to the course content - Critical written analysis and reflection on creative practice in relation to selected visual, literary and dramatic texts - Demonstrated engagement with content, concepts and ideas presented in weekly set readings through class discussion of set readings - Effective use of critical analysis of your own and others work to complete the weekly in class writing exercise Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Information Literacy Organisation Assessment Task 2: Dramatic Scene Goal: Product: Format: The goal of this task is for you to demonstrate knowledge of fundamental course elements such as dramatic conflict, tension, characterisation, dialogue and formatting through the construction of a dramatic scene for film. Dramatic scene (1500 words) This is an individual assessment. This assignment will be in the form of a short, one scene screenplay, formatted to industry standards, and demonstrating how conflict can be dramatised in a scene with two to three characters. Submitted as a PDF document
Page 4 Criteria This task is assessed according to level of achievement in the following: - Appropriate content and style for intended audience - Structured as a dramatic scene which demonstrates knowledge of fundamental dramatic elements of conflict, characterisation and dialogue - Demonstrates a developing original contribution to knowledge in an innovative and resonant way - Professionalism of presentation and correct screenplay formatting - Demonstrates ethical use of intellectual property Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Organisation Assessment Task 3: Short Story Adaptation Goal: Product: Format: Criteria Generic skill assessed Communication Organisation Information literacy This task requires you to adapt a short story (that will be supplied) into a screenplay format in alignment with industry standards, and to workshop and then edit the script for final submission. Screen adaptation of a short story (2500 words) This is an individual assessment. The short story adaptation will be structured as a screenplay that aligns with current industry practices and must be accompanied by a title and logline. Short stories will be provided and available to read on Blackboard Week 5. Submitted as a PDF document This task will be assessed according to the level of achievement in the following: - Accurate translation of story to screenplay - Effective use of dramatic elements such as characterisation, conflict, structure, and dialogue - Effective use of visuals and sounds to tell the story - Effective use of point of view and setting to tell the story - Demonstrates a developing original contribution to knowledge by responding to the exemplars in an innovative, artistic and resonant way - Professionalism of presentation and correct screenplay formatting - Adherence to ethical considerations Skill assessment level Developing Developing Developing 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Plagiarism In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Blackboard, are electronically checked through SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Page 5 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus lecture: 1 hour per week On campus tutorial: 2 hours per week 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 1 6.3 Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Introduction to the course and key concepts in screenwriting Lecture (No Tutorial) 2 Building character and conflict 3 Scene study and screenplay formatting. Formative Feedback: Students will receive feedback on Task 1 in this week's tutorial. 4 Dialogue that reveals character and conflict 5 Friday 30th March Good Friday Public Holiday Screenplay structure and the Hollywood formula 6 Plot: creating tension and raising the dramatic question No Lecture or Tutorial due to public holiday content available on Blackboard Mid Semester Break 7 Adaptation: moving beyond the fidelity discourse
Page 6 8 Wednesday 25th April ANZAC Day Public Holiday 10 Monday 7th May May Day Public Holiday Point of view and setting that reveals character and conflict 9 Shot and sound design that reveals character and conflict Film genres: finding inspiration in sub genres and cross-pollination 11 Selling your idea: title, logline and pitch. Writing for multiple platforms and online streaming services 12 Australian screen industries and industry professionals: guest speaker,, 13 Course reflection and summary: review of key concepts Lecture (No Tutorial) Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) The CMN200 Course Reader (only available as a digital copy via Blackboard) contains weekly creative writing activities that will need to be included in Task 1. 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements The "table readings" of your scripts are an important industry-based element of the course. It is essential that you attend all tutorials and participate in the "table readings" of your written work in order to achieve an understanding of industry practices and successfully complete the course. 7.4 Risk management Health and safety risks have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to research and understand risks of specific courses and to review the USC s health and safety principles by viewing the online induction training for students. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance is provided to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 or Email: student central@usc.edu.au
Page 7 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching 10. General enquiries In person: Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1) USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 Email: studentcentral@usc.edu.au