Note to students: this public syllabus is designed to give you a glimpse into this course and instructor. If you have further questions about our courses or curriculum, please contact the Writers Program at (310) 825-9415 or via email at writers@uclaextension.edu. We are happy to answer any questions and to help you find the best class to achieve your writing goals. SYLLABUS STORY ANALYSIS ONLINE WEEK 1 1. Welcome to story analysis online (goals of course, modes of instruction online, grading standards), 2. What s Online (materials at a glance) 3. Course overview 4. Laying the Foundation ( What is a Story? Premise, Theme, Plot, Characterization) 5. Sample coverage Alien (plus sample log lines) DISCUSSION BOARD: Student introductions - What got you interested in taking this course? - What is your interest in film (i.e. writing, production, story analysis, etc.)? - How would you like this course to help you? - Any other info about yourself you might like to share with others Begin reading handouts - watch Kramer vs. Kramer and The Matrix if not viewed in the last six months WEEK 2 1. On Being a Writer 2. Kramer vs. Matrix Scene by scene breakdown of three act structure for each 3. Screenplay, Dave (link online provided) 4. Glossary OPEN HOUSE (CHAT ROOM), 8-9 pm Pacific Time - Topic: Intro session Why aren t hits and great films always the same? and What is the future of movies? - Addressing questions students may like further elaboration on re. what a story analyst does, the course, and how it applies to their own writing - Q&A on breakdowns of Kramer and Matrix
2 - Why do some great films go virtually unseen by the mass public, while some hits are aesthetically empty or offensive? What can be done about it? - Discussion of new distribution forms (DVD s on same day of theatrical release, eventual pay downloading of features, UMD mini-disks for PSP s Playstation Portables, downloads for Ipods) and other aspects of technology which are quickly altering the playing field as to who regularly watches first run films and what will get made - What makes a great film? The possible answers to this one may surprise you Read Dave online, but do not cover WEEK 3 1. Guide to writing coverage 2. Covering Dave 3. Additional sample coverages 4. Screenplay, Benny and Joon DISCUSSION BOARD: Please respond to at least two of the following: - What were the positives regarding the script? - What were the negatives? - What was the key strength or weakness? - Should Dave have been a more active character? - Were the antagonists strong enough? - Did author fully exploit his premise for greatest comic and dramatic effect? - Forum on Dave preparation of synopsis and comments - Cover Dave - Read Benny and Joon WEEK 4 1. Log lines methods and samples for creating them 2. Guidelines and format of synopsis and comments for Benny and Joon 3. Guidelines and format of cover page 4. Screenplay, Deef Killer DISCUSSION BOARD: Respond to at least two of the following: - What is Benny and Joon saying about normal and abnormal in society? - Was the subject of mental illness accurately portrayed?
3 - What is the key strength or weakness of the script? - Reaction to Sam Was he strong enough to carry the second act? - Forum to prepare coverage on B&J - Cover Benny and Joon - Read Deef Killer WEEK 5 1. Topic Sentence Guide 2. What Makes a Great Ending? - Topic Sentence Guide - Review of coverage strategies - Screen sequences from Basic Instinct and Under Investigation, Turbulence and Con Air from DVD WEEK 6 1. Action vs. thriller What distinguishes each? 2. Comparison of sequences screened from thrillers and action vehicles 3. Presentation questions and guidelines for week 9 4. Villains What makes a great one? 5. Deef Killer Guidelines and formats of synopses and comments 6. Screenplay, Come West with Me DISCUSSION BOARD: - List one scene from scripts read so far where you believe dialogue hit the mark or missed strongly? Which principles from handouts were used well, poorly or overlooked? - Respond to at least one other classmates selections of scenes and briefly explain why you agree or disagree, using the pyramid to support your views - Q&A on Deef Killer, debating positives and negatives of script - Q&A on application of topic sentence guide specifically to Deef Killer
4 1. Cover Deef Killer 2. Read Come West with Me 3. Screen clips from DVD: 39 Steps Batman: The Movie Pretty Woman Kramer vs. Kramer Stand and Deliver Oliver WEEK 7 4. Select a favorite film for presentation week 9, to be broken down into three act structure 1. Plot vs. characterization within scenes detailed breakdown of scenes screened 7. Building a scene pyramid of what underlies effective dialogue 2. Scene from The Graduate 3. Sample of final project posted on Discussion Board DISCUSSION BOARD: List film for final project week 9 - Creating great dialogue analysis of a scene from The Graduate 1. Work on presentation for week 9 2. Screen clips from DVD: Airplane! Airplane 2 Made in America King Ralph Dr. Strangelove Harold and Maude Annie Hall As Good as it Gets Raising Arizona Documentary excerpts romantic comedy
5 WEEK 8 1. Comedy analysis of the most ubiquitous of genres, as just about every story has some form of comic relief or underlying humor at moments 2. Breakdown of great and not-so-great comedy clips screened 3. Screenplay, Change of Heart - Q&A re. juxtaposition between plot and characterization of clips screened - Come West with Me preparation for coverage 1. Cover Come West with Me 2. Read screenplay, Change of Heart (NOTICE: NO CHAT ROOM OR ASSIGNMENTS DUE TO THANKSGIVING HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY!) WEEK 9 none DISCUSSION BOARD: Post or email final projects by - Discussion of presentations - Coverage on Change of Heart - Practical questions re. work as story analyst - Discussion of internships Cover Change of Heart WEEK 10 - What to expect as a story analyst tips as to getting work, making job as time efficient as possible, etc. DISCUSSION BOARD: Post any questions re. the business side of being a story analyst - Development session on Change of Heart - Final questions addressed re. coverage and job of story analyst