Fall 2017 - CA 338W D100
Screenwriting II (3)
Class Number: 7717
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Vancouver
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Instructor:
Patricia Gruben
gruben@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
One of CA (or FPA) 238 or 353 or 457 and prior approval. Strongly recommended for all students developing projects for production in CA (or FPA) 430.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
This course will present advanced theory and techniques for writing dramatic, experimental and documentary film and video scripts. Additional topics covered include script analysis, production breakdown, and the writing of treatments and proposals. Students with credit for FPA 338W may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course continues the work begun in FPA 238W: Screenwriting I in developing short screenplays. It is particularly designed to support the writing of scripts for short films to be made in FPA 430 in the following year, though it is also suitable for non-Film majors familiar with cinematic language and screenwriting techniques who wish to increase their skills. We will focus primarily on dramatic writing, but lectures and screenings will address documentary and experimental styles in proportion to student interest. Screenplays written for the course may be in any genre.
The first weeks of the course will be devoted to review of screenwriting styles and techniques along with two or three short writing exercises. The primary work will be the writing and re-writing of an original 10-15 page screenplay. In the second half of the course, each script will be read aloud and critiqued in class. Students will also be asked to write brief critiques of each others’ scripts.
Students are asked to arrive in the first class with a brief description of the screenplay they want to write during the course, and be prepared to discuss it in class.
Grading
- Writing assignment #1 10%
- Writing assignment #2 10%
- Screenplay draft #1 25%
- Screenplay draft #2 20%
- Script critiques 20%
- Self-critique 5%
- Class participation 10%
NOTES:
Prerequisite: FPA 238W or equivalent, or permission of Instructor. A 10-page writing sample is required for any applicant without the prerequisite.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Custom Courseware (to be posted).
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS