Course Syllabus / fall Quarter 2012

CMST 216: SCRIPTING FOR FILM, VIDEO, AND MULTIMEDIA
5 Credits
INSTRUCTOR: Michael Korolenko
OFFICE: Room R260-J
PHONE: 425 564-4109
EMAIL: mkorolen@bellevuecollege.edu
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment Only

TEXTBOOKS:

Television and Screen Writing: From Concept to Contract
by Richard A. Blum

The Writer's Journey
by Christopher Vogler

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 interactive technologies such as games and the web. 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:

Write a one to five page television or motion picture treatment in the treatment format for both a dramatic piece and a documentary.
Verbally "pitch" an idea and "sell" the class on the idea, citing project cost, target audience and why the project would be a success.
Explain the mythic structure of both a story and a screenplay.
Create a symbol or archetype to represent a particular character or idea within a story/screenplay.
Develop a four to five minute scene in screenplay format which demonstrates good dialogue or "movie talk."
Write a description of an interactive multi-media piece.
Write in outline and storyboard form the beginning of an original interactive multimedia piece.
Verbally demonstrate with images or models how their multi-media project would work.
Present a rough interactive multimedia prototype.

WEEKLY TOPICS AND DISCUSSIONS

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 -
Book 1 of Vogler
Chapter 4 of 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 -
Chapters 6 & 7 in Blum
LOGLINE & BIOGRAPHY OF ONE MAJOR CHARACTER IN YOUR PIECE DUE - WEDS. WEEK 3 – USE FORM FOUND ON SITE

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 95-157 in Vogler
Chapters 8 & 9 in Blum
OUTLINE DUE - WEDS. WEEK 4
ON FRIDAY THE HERO'S JOURNEY FORM IS DUE

Week 4: The Script

Length, Style, Format - Film vs. TV Style
Formatting
Formatting Tools
Screenplay Formatting Software

For Week 5 - Pages 157-247 in Vogler/Part 1

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 -
For Week 6 - FILM TREATMENT DUE WEDNESDAY BY 5:00 PM

Week 6: Writing for 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

Either a Content Outline or FIVE PAGES IN SCREENPLAY FORMAT DUE WEDS. BY 5:00 PM

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

FIVE MORE PAGES IN SCREENPLAY FORMAT DUE WEDS. BY 5 PM

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

NEXT 3 to 5 PAGES OF SCRIPT DUE WEDS. 5:00 pm

Week 9: Production of the Interactive Piece

The Production Process
The Writer's Role During Production
Production Integration

DESCRIPTION OF INTERACTIVE PROJECT DUE - WEDS. WEEK 10 orComplete ten page screenplay

Week 10: Is The End Of Writing In Sight?

New Media, New Genres, New Creativity

Week 11: Preparation and Presentation of Final SCRIPTS

MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
There will be a one to three page treatment written according to Vogler's Stages of a Hero's Journey. This will later be developed into the first five pages of a screenplay. There will also be a concise but detailed character biography of one main character. Students will then team up for the Final which will be a "pitch" and presentation to the rest of the class of a interactive multimedia project written for the web.

GRADING The grades will be added and divided by the number of assignments given. Note: some assignments are embedded within the online material.

ONLINE ETIQUETTE

Just as in a classroom, disruptions and impoliteness are not tolerated, neither will they be tolerated within the confines of our online "classroom." Students are to show respect towards each other and their instructor, which includes respect and tolerance for each others ideas. Any sort of disrespect will, at the very least, impact negatively on your class participation grade.

MEETINGS WITH THE INSTRUCTOR will be by appointment. The instructor is not always on campus, but if you feel you really must meet, then something will be arranged