Big Sandy Community and Technical College Course Syllabus PS Number: 84585 Semester: Spring Year: 2017 Faculty Name: Rebecca Mullins Title: Professor Course Prefix and Number: ENG 207 Course Credit Hours: 3 Course Prerequisites: Course Title: Creative Writing: Screenwriting Catalog Course Description: ENG. 207 is a beginning course in the craft of writing, teaching students how to read critically and how to revise work in progress. The students provide an audience for each other s work. Exercises involve practice in the aspects of craft and promote experimentation with different forms, subjects, and approaches; outside reading provides models for inspiration. May be repeated under different subtitle to a maximum of 6 credit hours. This course will focus on the art of script writing. Instructor Contact Information: Campus Location: Pikeville Building & Room: N308 Office Hours: See class /office schedule under syllabus tab Office Phone Number: 606-218-2060 x81246 Alternate Number: Best Times to Call: See class /office schedule under syllabus tab KCTCS Email: rebecca.mullins@kctcs.edu Special Instructions: Please note that any assignment that is not submitted is the same as an assignment that receives a zero in the grade book. When looking at your grade, you must look at the total points you have received and where that falls on the grade scale to know where you stand in terms of the overall class. Supervisor Contact Information: Name: Mary Wallen
Campus Location: Prestonsburg Building & Room: Pike 107E Office Phone Number: X94761 KCTCS Email: mary.wallen@kctcs.edu Text and Supplies: Required Text: Russin, Robin U. and Downs, William Missouri. Screenplay. Silman-James Press. Los Angeles. 2003. ISBN: 1-879505-70-3 ( you may use the first or 2 nd edition the bookstore will have the 2 nd edition). Recommended Text (to those who are going to pursue a deeper knowledge of scriptwriting or scriptwriting as a career): Trottier, David. The Screenwriter s Bible. 5 th Edition Expanded & Updated. Silman-James Press. Los Angeles. 2010. ISBN: 978-1-935247-02-9. USB key on which to save your work; a manila bubble envelope in which you will mail your final script and video production of your script The scripts we will focus on can be located under course links, and they are as follows: The Verdict, Witness, The Terminator, and Sleepless in Seattle. You will also want to be able to borrow, check out, or rent these titles so you can participate in comparison discussions of how the script differs from the finished product as it appears on the silver screen. Keep in mind you will want access to a video camera so you can tape your production of your script. Approved Course Competencies General Education: (KCTCS General Education Competency Statements and General Education Requirements) Students should prepare for twenty-first century challenges by gaining: A. Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural worlds through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the arts. Method to Achieve Competency: Students will fulfill this competency by using critical thinking skills to analyze the resource materials that they will read and possibly integrate into their own scripts. Students will also learn and use a variety of critical approaches discussed in class lectures and forums. B. Intellectual and practical skills, including inquiry and analysis critical and creative thinking written and oral communication quantitative literacy information literacy teamwork and problem solving Method to Achieve Competency: To understand, analyze, summarize, and interpret a variety of screenplays provided. Students will
analyze the scripts in terms of aspects of the scripts, and the finished product as it appears on the screen. Students will note how the finished product is indeed altered from the script. C. Personal and social responsibility, including civic knowledge and engagement (local and global) intercultural knowledge and competence ethical reasoning and action foundations and skills for lifelong learning Method to Achieve Competency: Students are highly encouraged to research the various scripts being used and the concepts contained within their own scripts for accuracy and believability. Students will be reflecting upon their own opinions about various Issues that humanity and our culture face as they complete the scriptwriting process. As a script writer, one must always be aware of cultural differences and be able to expand upon them. D. Integrative and applied learning, including synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized skills. Method to Achieve Competency: Apply learning in academic, personal, and public situations. Students will be able to take the skills learned in this class and continue their college coursework and utilize them for future success especially in the areas of journalism, writing, and cinema. Course Specific Competencies: See above Lab Competencies: (Enter N/A if this does not apply.) N/A Course Outline: Weekly Agenda Week One (January 9-15): Review Course Contents and Syllabus Background information on the first script: Witness The Scriptwriting Process/Beginning Tips Are you forming a writing team or writing independently? Begin writing Draft one of script Overview Of Aspects
Read chapters one and two in Screenplay Submit: Chapter one exercise 2 (pg 15) Submit: Chapter two exercise 1, 2, or 3. Choose one of the listed assignments based on the technique you may wish to apply to your own writing. (p37) Week Two (January 16-22): Read Chapter three in Screenplay Reading of Witness Continue Writing Draft One of your script Submit: Chapter three exercise 3 (p42) Week Three (January 23-29): View Witness Read chapter four in Screenplay Schedule Writing Time to continue working on Draft one of the script Submit: Chapter four exercise 2 (pg 56) Week Four (January 30-Feb5): Background information on second script: The Terminator Read chapter five in Screenplay People Watcher Journaling- My experiences as a character building writer/ sources for possible inspiration Writing Time to get ready for Draft 1 submission Submit: Chapter 5 exercise (pg 84-85). Use this worksheet with one of the main characters from your
script. Week Five (February 6-12): Read Chapter six in Screenplay Collaborative Writing Time Submit: Draft 1: Include the following: a working character list with descriptors, a working title, a workable synopsis, a beginning to the script (for example scenes 1, 2, 3 of act 1), an anticipated ending, and a rough outline (which will most likely drastically change) for the remainder of potential script. Submit: Chapter six exercise 1 or 2 (pg 106). Chose either exercise based on overall theme/purpose of your script. Week Six (February 13-19): View The Terminator Analysis of Script and Movie Read Chapter Seven in Screenplay Writing Time- continue writing your script and also begin revisions to script based on feedback provided and new information about the world of scriptwriting as you begin to come across. Start to fine tune your characters traits and dialogue. Strive to make each character unique and able to stand out in the crowd. This would also be a great time to redefine your character listing. Submit: Chapter seven exercise 3 (pg 130-131). Apply exercise 4 to your script. Week Seven (February 20-26) Background information on third script: The Verdict Read Chapter Eight in Screenplay Spend time writing your script.
Submit: Chapter eight exercise 3 (pg 159-160). Format your answer the same as the table on pg 160. Week Eight (February 27-March 5): Read Chapter Nine in Screenplay Writing Time Submit: Draft 2: include the following: more detailed and revised character list with descriptor, title, a more detailed and revised synopsis, beginning acts, at least 60% of the script in rough form, a more accurate anticipated ending, and a more accurate outline for the potential remainder of the script. Be sure to look at dialogue and actions up to this point to see if it is believable to the readers (if indeed that is a goal of yours). Submit: Chapter nine exercise 2 (pg 182) THE WEEK OF MARCH 6t h -12 th IS SPRING BREAK- HOWEVER I DO ENCOURAGE TO CONTINUE WORKING ON SCRIPT AFTER YOU HAVE TAKEN AT LEAST ONE DAY TOTALLY AWAY FROM IT. DON T LOOK AT IT FOR AN ENTIRE DAY. THIS WAY YOU CAN COME BACK TO THE SCRIPT WITH FRESH EYES! Week Nine (March 13-19): View The Verdict Read Chapter 10 of Screenplay Writing Time- continue writing for the 3 rd draft of the script and continue reshaping any dialogue or character traits that need to be fine tuned. You are now ready to focus on some of the more interesting moments in scriptwriting, so one by one you plug it the cinematic elements as you read them. Keep in mind that when you plug in these elements that a goal is to make them fit the characters and plot that you have created. The 3 rd draft should be a completed script with all elements in place and should only need minor revisions for the polished version to be filmed. Submit: Chapter ten exercise 2 (pg 192-193). You can use one of the posted scripts for this exercise or find a different script of your choice.
Week Ten (March 20-26): Background Information on fourth script: Sleepless in Seattle Read Chapter 11 in Screenplay Writing Time Submit: Chapter eleven exercise. Choose any one of the five exercises (pg 232-233) and apply to your script. Submit an excerpt of the of that specific scene sequence to me. Week Eleven (March 27-April 2): Read Chapters 12 and 13 in Screenplay Collaborative Writing Time Submit Draft 3: include the following: exact characters list with descriptors, title, completed script (the only difference between this and the final version should be minor revisions or last minute deletions/additions). Production Note: You should make sure that you cast your production and secure your filming location (if you have not already done so). If you are planning on using any type of crew to aid in filming, make sure you secure them as well. Submit: Chapter twelve exercise 2 (pg 252) Submit: Chapter thirteen either exercise 3 or 4 (pg 288/289). Week Twelve (April 3-9): View Sleepless in Seattle Read Chapter 14 in Screenplay
Do any necessary revisions to script and begin rehearsals and filming. Submit: Chapter 14 exercise 3 (pg303). Submit chart and apply to script. Week Thirteen (April 10-16): Final Draft of Pre-production Script Due (if you want any more comments or advice from me). Rehearsal Week /filming of production Week Fourteen (April 17-23): Production Week: This is the week when you should be ready to film your productions. Please make sure that you film your scripts as accurately as possible to your vision. Make sure that the copy you send is on DVD or uploaded to the student Scriptwriting One Drive Video Channel. Week Fifteen (April 24-April 30): All final scripts and videos or DVDS should reach me no later than Wednesday April 26th. Please note that I will keep the copy of the final script and production that you send me. Please mail the script and DVD in a bubble manila envelope ( so the video does not get broken) to the following address: Big Sandy Community and Technical College Pikeville Campus Attn: Rebecca Mullins 120 South Riverfill Drive Pikeville KY 41501 Week Sixteen (May 1-5):
Finals Week for the college: you will receive feedback on your productions via the course site. Course Structure: English 207 is a composition and production course. Students will be expected to read the assigned material, openly express their critiques of the scripts, collaboratively (with friends, family, or classmates in this course or others) or independently write their own scripts, and cast and produce their movies. Technology/Media Component: All drafts of the scripts produced in this course are to be typed according to script formatting. Students should also take time to watch the films being studied in this class and conduct online research for inspiration. The final version of the script (worth 500 points) and the video production of your script ( worth 400 points) will need to be mailed to me at the address listed in the course outline and should reach me no later than the assigned due date. Keep in mind that I do not expect you to spend money to make your video. I don t expect this to be perfect; however, I do request that you include a brief (1-2 page) narrative of what the video would look like if you had an unlimited budget. The video production should be fun and enlightening to your cast, crew, and yourself. This is a great way to see how movies go from thought to the silver screen. Students in this course are required to type all essays and will need to log the appropriate amount of time on our course website(s) in order to successfully complete the course. Students will also need to utilize technology in the research process. Collaborate: Students will need to run the collaborate wizard within our Blackboard course shell during the first week of class. This area will serve the following purposes. In face to face courses, this area will serve as our back up plan in case the college has to close for weather or other unplanned reasons. We will meet in collaborate during our regularly scheduled class time, and I will conduct the course lectures via that avenue. This way the class stays on track, and we don t miss any time together. Secondly, this area could serve as an online conference room when requested by the student. For the online courses, this room automatically serves as the online office for the office hour posted for your course. This means that on the day and time I have posted on the office schedule, I will automatically be in that room to answer any and all questions that you may have regarding the course content. Please do not ask me about your personal grade if anyone else is in the room. If you wish to have a private conference over your grade in the course, please request a private request with me via email. We schedule this when it is convenient for both of us. I will also use this area to post any audio lectures by request that may arise during the course of the semester. I will post an announcement if an audio lecture is recorded. One Drive Video Channel: There is also a student channel to which you will be able to upload videos of your production.
Facebook: Every class has a Facebook page. This is not mandatory; however, if you have a Facebook I highly encourage you to join our course page. This is where all online course discussion of the course material will take place. I will also post announcements and sneak peeks of upcoming events as I see fit for the course. The announcements that contain video (since this not a feature I could do on Blackboard due to Blackboard s limitations of video) files are going to automatically go on the Facebook site. This site will also allow students to message me via the Facebook message feature or to facetime me when scheduled between us. Please note if I am in class, I will not respond to you. I will only respond if I am not in class, conferencing with another student, or during hours in which I am already awake (don t expect a response at 2am unless I am having a bout of insomnia), or not otherwise obligated. You will find the link to our Facebook page in the course announcements in our Blackboard course shell. Service-Learning: N/A Course Requirements and Evaluation: Assignment Total Points Available Chapter Exercises 700 (14 @ 50 pts each) Draft 1 of Script 200 Draft 2 of Script 200 Draft 3 of Script 200 Final Draft of Script 500 Script Production 400 Total Points 2,200 points ***Please note that will be 4 opportunities for bonus points in this class. The bonus will consist of students logging onto the website during the announced timeframe and participating in a collaborate live classroom session. Session dates and times will posted to announcements at least 2 days in advance and one session will occur over each of the four class assigned scripts/films. Sessions will be worth 30 points each.
Grading Policy: 1980-2200= A 1760-1979= B 1540-1759= C 1320-1539= D Below 1320 = E Attendance Policy: Your participation in this class is crucial to the success of the class. Since this class meets online, attendance will be measured by the number of times you log in. I highly encourage you to log in on a regular (every day or every other day) basis since you are sure to miss out on valuable points and discussions if you do not do so. Active participation will be based solely on the date of the last submitted assignment. Missed Exam Policy: Since there are no exams in this class, this policy does not apply. Late Assignment Policy: Late assignments will be deducted by 10 points per day late up to ½ credit and will be accepted up to 1 week late. Withdrawal Policy: Students may withdraw at any time (prior to finals week) in the semester from this course; however, you will have to get my e-signature after midterm. The last day I will accept drop requests for this course is April 26. This will ensure that I have time to receive and respond to the request and that you have time to have it processed no later than April 28 ( the final day to have the drop processed by the admissions office). This policy will be strictly enforced, so make sure if you are going to drop my course you do so no later than this date. Students may withdraw from this course at their discretion until midterm; however, after midterm my signature will be required before the drop can be processed. The last day I will accept drop requests for this course is April 26. This will ensure that I have time to receive and respond to the request and that you have time to have it processed no later than April 28 ( the final day to have the drop processed by the admissions office). This policy will be strictly enforced, so make sure if you are going to drop my course you do so no later than this date. Starfish: Starfish is a software program that allows college faculty and advisors to maintain contact with students concerning their academic progress during the semester. If academic progress is not satisfactory, flags
can be issued with suggested improvements. Referrals to academic support services can be made and positive comments, called kudos, may also be issued. These Starfish notices will be sent to students college email addresses only. Students will also have the opportunity to schedule appointments with their academic advisors through the Starfish calendar feature. Students may access Starfish through a link in Blackboard. Students may also be able to sign up for conferencing appointments with their instructors in order to discuss course progress using the Starfish calendar feature. Students should contact their instructor, their advisor, or an advisor in the Advising Center if they have questions about the program. Students will be introduced to Starfish through new student orientation and through the FYE course. Students may expect to receive Starfish communications from the following email addresses. Kudos will be sent from the instructor s email Flags and referrals will be sent from studentsuccess@kctcs.edu Daily notification summaries will be sent from notices@starfishsolutions.com Additional information can be found at the following site: http://www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu/en/academics/office_hours_schedules_and_syllabi.aspx