INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE: Room A-200-B
PHONE: 425 564-4078 or 425-890-6958 (Cell)
OFFICE HOURS: WEDNESDAYS from 1-4 PM and by Appointment.
E-MAIL: plucas@bcc.ctc.edu
TEXTBOOKS:
TELEVISION AND SCREEN WRITING -
from concept to contract
by Richard A. Blum
STORY
by Robert McKee
THE WRITER'S JOURNEY
by Christopher Vogler
WRITING FOR MULTIMEDIA: A GUIDE &
SOURCEBOOK FOR THE DIGITAL WRITER
by Michael Korolenko
Texts are available at college bookstore
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course presents the mechanics of scripting for both new and old media. The
student is taught the correct script format for both motion picture and
television scripts and the job of the screenwriter in pre-production and
production. The student will also be introduced to writing non-linearly for the
new interactive multi-media technologies. The student will create templates
from which to work when writing both linearly and non-linearly. The course will
also show how the students go about protecting their work.
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
Week 1: Introduction and Overview
"It all begins with the word;"
The Writer's Journey;
Who Is Your Audience
The idea; Visualizing the idea;
Atmosphere - Subjective or Objective? P.O.V.
Use of Symbols; Products & Ad Images
For Week 2 - Pages 3-28 of McKee's Book/Book 1
of Vogler/Parts 1 & 2 in Blum
Week 2: Story Development & Format
The Outline; the Treatment
Plot & Story; Theme & Subject
Characters & Character Biographies
Copywriting and Protecting Your Work
For Week 3 - Pages 31-66 of
McKee's Book / Part 3 in Blum.
STORY LOG LINE AND BIOGRAPHY OF ONE MAJOR CHARACTER IN YOUR PIECE DUE - WEEK 3
Week 3: Character and Scene Development
Key Characters - Who Does the Theme Come Through?
Scene development
The First Draft
"Movie Talk" vs. "Reel Talk"
When to Use Dialogue - When Not to Use Dialogue
Use of Action
For Week 4 – Pages 67- 130 in McKee / Pages
95-157 in Vogler / Part 4 in Blum.
OUTLINE AND TREATMENT DUE - WEEK FOUR
Week 4: The Script
Length, Style, Format - Film vs. TV Style
Formatting
Formatting Tools
Screenplay Formatting Software
For Week 5 – Pages 135 – 176 in McKee / Pages
157-247 in Vogler / Part 5 in Blum / Part 1 Chapters 1-3 in Korolenko
Week 5: Non-Linear Writing
Overview and introduction
Just What Is Multimedia? - a definition and description - the variety of uses,
and the technology utilized
Background - from The Time Machine to the Multimedia explosion and the Web
Orwellian Years
Why An Interactive Piece? - Does what you want to write lend itself to
multimedia and interactivity
For Week 6 - Chapters 4 - 6 in Korolenko
Week 6: Writing for Multimedia and
Interactivity:
Guide For the New Developer
Choosing an "Interactive" Subject or Storyline
Writing for Multimedia & Interactivity
Preparing the script
Brainstorming - Goals & Objectives
The Treatment
The Content Outline
FIVE PAGES IN SCREENPLAY FORMAT DUE WEEK 6
BY 9PM
For Week 7 - Chapters 7-9 in Korolenko / Part
6 in Blum
EXAM ON THE
Week 7: Writing The Interactive Script
Non-Linear Script Writing
TREATMENT & CONTENT OUTLINE = SCRIPT
Writing the Interactive Script
Storytelling
Prototypes
Prototype Descriptions
Sketch Prototypes/Creative Models
EXAM ON THE
DESCRIPTION OF INTERACTIVE PROJECT DUE
SATURDAY BY 9PM OF WEEK 7
For Week 8 - Chapter 10 in Korolenko
Week 8: Navigation for Interactive Multimedia
Mapping Your Design Concept - Objectives, Audience
Profile, Content
Delivery Systems
Navigation: Definition and Explanation
Navigational Components:
Navigational Pathways and Rules
Decision Points (where does the program become truly interactive?)
World's Fair Template
Week 9: Production of the Interactive Piece
The Production Process
The Writer's Role During Production
Production Integration
FINISHED INTERACTIVE PROJECT DUE TUESDAY OF WEEK 11
Week 10: Is The End Of Writing In Sight?
New Media, New Genres, New Creativity
Week 11:PRESENTATION OF THE FINISHED INTERACTIVE PROJECTS
TO THE CLASS
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
There will be a ONE to THREE sentence Log Line, a ONE page Bio of your main
Character(s)( the Log Line and Bio will be graded as one assignment), a ONE to
FIVE page, DOUBLE-SPACED outline of the story, a ONE to FIVE page,
double-spaced treatment written according to Vogler's Stages of a Hero's
Journey. All of the above assignments must be written using the
"Courier New" or "Courier Final Draft" font using the 12
point font size. This will all later be developed into the first five pages of
a screenplay, which must be written using either scriptwriting software or the
scriptwriting template for MS Word. This template will be supplied to you.
Students will then team up for the Final interactive multimedia project. Your team will write a description of an interactive multi-media piece then write in outline and storyboard from the beginning of an original interactive multimedia piece then demonstrate with images or models how their multi-media project works and then present the interactive multimedia prototype as an html and a zipped file by webct email to me. All OTHER assignments must be turned into me by attaching them to the webct DROP BOX.
GRADING will be as follows: The grades will be added and divided by the number of assignments given. And Note: There will be an extra credit assignment worth 20 points. The Log Line and Character Bio together will count as 75 points; The Outline will count as 100 points; Treatment will count as 100 points; the five page script will count 125 points; the exam will count as 100 points, and the final project/pitch along with participation will count 100 points. The highest number of points any student can receive are 600 points. The points work out the following way:
600 Total Possible
570 A
540 A-
520 B+
500 B
480 B-
460 C+
440 C
420 C-
396 D+
380 D
379 Less = F
This Syllabus is subject to change.
CLASS ETIQUETTE
Disruptions and impoliteness are not tolerated. Students are to show respect towards each other and their instructor, which includes respect and tolerance for each other’s ideas. Any sort of disrespect will, at the very least, impact negatively on your class participation grade.
1. The Instructor retains the right to maintain the classroom
environment as he feels is appropriate to the needs of the class, including
maintaining order, discipline, and a safe, functional instructional setting.
2. All work must be submitted in a neat, professional manner. Instructor
reserves the right to refuse work that is not professionally presented.
3. The instructor, the labs, the Program, and the College are NOT responsible
for digital work lost due to equipment failure, accidental or intentional
erasure, or other unforeseen circumstances. YOU are responsible for backing up
your own work and keeping it safe.
4. The Instructor reserves the right to impose other rules and regulations to
maintain the integrity of the instructional setting.
5. For each day an assignment is late without a medical or family crisis
excuse, ten points will be taken off the grade.
6. You are expected to post, at the least, four comments to the Bulletin Board
every week - two relating to the week's "exhibits," and two
commenting on another person's post. Failure to post to the bulletin board
accordingly will result in the lowering of your grade one full grade point.
DSS:If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.If you would like to inquire about becoming a DSS student you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DSS (Disability Support Services) program office in C210, the student union building.
MEETINGS WITH THE INSTRUCTOR will be by appointment, and will normally take place in the Virtual Office in the chat room area.
PROCEDURES OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DIVISION / Revised Fall 2000
Cheating* Any student who cheats by engaging in the use of pre-marked tests or answer sheets, cribbing, use of text(s), notebook(s), copying, or any other means used to score or complete his/her answer sheet in conjunction with a(n) exercise/examination, test/quiz with other than the student’s own answers will be assigned a final course grade of “F”. All forms of cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students and the student will be informed of this action.
Stealing Exams* Students and/or confederates who are caught attempting to copy, or remove exams, tests, or exercises without instructor authorization will receive a final course grade of “F”. All forms of stealing course materials will be reported to the Dean of Students and the student will be informed of this action.
Plagiarism* Any student submitting a paper which contains a paragraph or sentence from another source, of which, when reviewed by an expert, neutral, third party, contains so close a paraphrase as to be considered non-coincidental and which does not cite the source clearly and distinctly, will be assigned a final course grade of “F”. All forms of plagiarism will be reported to the Dean of Students and the student will be informed of this action.
F Grade, W Grade, and HW Grade Students who fail a course will receive a letter grade of F. Students can withdraw from class and receive a letter grade of W until the end of the seventh week of the quarter. After that date, students will receive the grade earned. In certain situations, approved by the Office of the Dean of Students, an HW (Hardship Withdrawal) grade can be issued after the seventh week.
Final Exam Schedule The Telecommunications Division will adhere to the final examination schedule as stated in the BCC will not give examinations in advance of the regular schedule. A student who is absent from any examination held at any time during the quarter may forfeit the right to make up the examination. If, for illness or some other circumstance beyond the student’s control, the student is unable to be present at any scheduled examination and has contacted the instructor on a timely basis, the student may be permitted to take such examination at a time designated by the instructor.
Withdrawal from class College policy states that students must formally withdraw from a class by the end of the seventh week of the quarter. (Registration Office: B125). If a student has not withdrawn by that date, an appropriate letter grade will be assigned for the course.
Disabled Students Students with a disability requiring special accommodation from the College and/or the instructor are required to discuss their specific needs with both the Office of Disability Support Services (B233) and the instructor during the first week of class.
Distribution of Grades Grades will not be posted in the Telecommunications division or in faculty offices, nor will the secretary give out grades. If a student wants to know his/her grades prior to them being available by touch-tone phone (425-641-2625, press 3#), the instructor should be provided with a stamped (postage appropriate to weight), self-addressed envelope.
Return of Papers and Tests Papers, projects, exam, etc. returns will be arranged in the following ways: By mail, if the student supplies the instructor with a stamped self-addressed envelope (with appropriate postage), or by the instructor designating a time and place whereby the student may retrieve his/her papers. Unclaimed materials must be kept by the instructor for a minimum of sixty (60) instructional days following the end of the quarter. __________
*If you are accused of Cheating, Stealing Exams, and/or Plagiarism, there is a Bellevue Community College Discipline and Appeals Procedure (the right to due process) which you may pursue. Contact the Associate Dean of the Telecommunications Division (N212A), or the Dean of Student Services (B231A), or the Associated Student Body offices (above the Cafeteria) for information regarding the appeals process.