The Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago
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Course Title: Scriptwriting and Storytelling
for Digital Media Production |
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Course Number and Section: DMP |
Term: Fall |
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Year: 2005 |
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Number of Contact Hours: 6 |
Time: Tuesday / Thursday 6:30– 9:20 pm |
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Weekly
Homework Hours: 3-6 |
Place: 180
N. Wabash (Loop) |
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Instructor: Lindsay
D. Grace |
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Office Phone / E-mail: LG3311@fac.aii.edu |
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Office Hours: As
needed |
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Course Overview:
This course focuses on applying industry-standard scriptwriting and storyboarding techniques to media production. Contents to be covered include the various purposes and formats of scripts, the basic terminology and concepts used in scriptwriting, and the application of scriptwriting techniques to the creation of scripts and storyboards. Required Reading: The Screenwriter’s Bible, 1-879505-44-4 Required Viewing As specified – see film list Prerequisites: Drawing & Perspective, Color Theory & Design Course Objectives: · Exhibit proficiency in writing for media production.
· Demonstrate proficient use of language, grammar, and vocabulary in writing for media.
· Recognize and apply the stylistic characteristics in writing for media.
· Develop narrative, storytelling, and scriptwriting skills.
· Create scripts specific to various target audiences and delivery mechanisms.
· Identify the demographic attributes of a target audience.
· Determine delivery mechanisms appropriate for the subject.
· Write a script to tell a story with appropriate techniques and style for the subject.
· Select specific scripting approaches that appeal to a chosen audience.
· Research background, story, or project information.
· Apply basic library research skills.
· Employ the various search engines on the Internet.
· Interact with media clearing houses.
· Conduct a basic media research.
· Evaluate and organize researched information for effective presentation.
Week 1: Book 1
Overview of Story fundamentals Week 2: Book 1
Overview of Story fundamentals (continued) Character and Dialogue Week 3: Book 2
Research: Finding Ideas Understanding Audience Formatting a PSA or Commercial Week 4: Book 2 and Handouts
Creating a Treatment *****PSA/ Commercial Due***** Week 5: Book 3
Formatting Writing a Teleplay/ TV Script
Week 6: Book 3
Writing a Teleplay / TV Script
Week 7: Book 4
Writing a screenplay
The Art of Revision
*****Teleplay
Due*****
Week 8: Book 4
Writing a screenplay – Camera Language
Creating Big Stories
Week 9: Book 5(199-208) – Protecting Your Work
Developing a larger script
Week 10: Handouts and Revisions
Peer Review
Week 11: Work Week
*****Final Project Due*****
There will be a lecture and discussion for every class session.
Many classes will involve workshop activities that seek to enhance your writing abilities through practice and guidance. Some workshop activities evolve into homework assignments.
All assignments must be handed in at the beginning of
class.
Students should always keep a backup copy of their work.
No late assignments are accepted. Every
working professional is expected to provide their work on time. Failing to do
so reflects poorly on that person’s performance. Repeated failure to meet
deadlines often results in firing. It is best to learn to meet deadlines now.
In this course, each assignment will build on the
previous. Failure to complete the prior
week’s assignment will make each subsequent week more difficult. It is in your
best interest to complete each assignment on time and to the best of your
ability. Always hand in what you have, even if you want to revise it. Partial
credit is better than no credit at all.
Movie and Television Viewing:
In addition to reading and writing, watching good scripts helps you to become a good writer. This course requires you to view films on a weekly basis. You may rent these films from local rental outlets or borrow them from the local library. It’s also a good idea to watch these films with other students. Please allow yourself time to obtain and watch the required film list. Failure to watch required films will adversely effect your grade in this course.
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Point Score range |
Letter Grade |
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93 and above |
A |
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90-92 |
A- |
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87-89 |
B+ |
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83-86 |
B |
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80-82 |
B- |
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77-79 |
C+ |
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73-76 |
C |
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70-72 |
C- |
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67-69 |
D+ |
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63-66 |
D |
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60-62 |
D |
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Below 60 |
F |
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Participation and Preparedness: 5%
PSA/
Commercial: 10%
Week 7 -
Midterm Project: Teleplay 20%
Week 11 - Final Project: (2) Teleplays or Short Film 25%
Assignments and Workshops: 40%
Midterm grades will be based on current collected
assignment and the PSA commercial project.
Students are expected to attend each class and arrive on
time. It is a student’s responsibility
to contact the instructor when they know they will be absent or have missed a
class session. Students should notify
the instructor of their planned absence as soon as they are capable. It is best to send an email.
Makeup exams and acceptance of late assignments will only
be granted in the following circumstances; Medical excuse, emergencies,
campus-sponsored activities.
All issues of attendance and tardiness will be handled as
school policy dictates and at the discretion of the instructor.
Any student that cheats or plagiarizes will be reported to
the academic standards committee and may be dismissed from the course.
All homework is to be completed independently (except when
instructed otherwise). Any student who is caught or suspected of working in
conjunction with any other student will be penalized.
The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago has a special needs
coordinator, Jamey DiVietro, who organizes services for qualified students
requiring reasonable accommodations. Notifying the Illinois Institute of
Art-Chicago that you have a disability or special needs is optional and
confidential. However, in order for the school to accommodate your needs, we
need advance notice of the services you require. For more information please
contact Jamey DiVietro at 312-777-8616.