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Class Textbook

Lecture 1:Lecture 1:Course IntroductionCourse Introduction

Professor Michael Green

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Professor Michael GreenProfessor Michael Green• Lecturer

– Film and Media Studies, Arizona State University

• MFA, Creative Writing, ASU

• Teaches courses in Film Studies; Screenwriting; Cultural Theory

• Research is in fiction and critical race studies.

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Michael’s Favorite MoviesMichael’s Favorite Movies

• Jaws• The Empire Strikes Back• The Quiet American• Midnight Run• Crimes and

Misdemeanors• Back to the Future• 25th Hour• Wonder Boys

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In This LessonIn This Lesson

• What kind of distance learning course is this?

• How can you succeed in this course?

• What do we study in this course?

• What are the assignments?

• Why the short film? No Country for Old Men (2007)Written by Cormac McCarthy (novel) and

Joel and Ethan Coen (Screenplay)

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What Kind of Distance What Kind of Distance Learning Course is This?Learning Course is This?

Lesson 1: Part I

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)Written by Roald Dahl (book) and John August (screenplay)

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A Unique Distance Learning A Unique Distance Learning ExperienceExperience

• This is not an automated course.• This is not a self-paced course.• This course emphasizes interactivity:

• Asynchronous • Synchronous

• Participation is key to your success!

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The Advantages of this CourseThe Advantages of this Course

• Flexibility… not limited by space• Study materials available 24/7

• Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint)• Websites & other resources• Films linked to site• Clips

• Structured like a traditional course• Complements multiple learning styles• Lots of interactivity

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Potential DisadvantagesPotential Disadvantages• Students that learn best through face-to-

face debate can struggle in this environment.

• Ways to compensate• Arrange for real-time meetings with

classmates

• Students that are not well organized tend to not do well in this environment.

• Meet all deadlines• Study in advance of assignments

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How to Succeed in This CourseHow to Succeed in This Course

Lesson 1: Part II

The Great Train Robbery (1903)Written by Scott Marble and Edwin S. Porter

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How do We Define Success?How do We Define Success?• Becoming better, more knowledgeable writers• Leaving the course with a finished short script• Getting a high grade: A or B• Becoming more adept at taking constructive

criticism

The Apartment (1960)Written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond

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Course OrganizationCourse Organization

• Each lesson contains:• Screening (linked short film)• Reading • Website• Lecture• eBoard• Clips (Sometimes)

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Juno (2007)Written by Diablo Cody

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Forms of Interactivity Forms of Interactivity

• Threaded discussions onthe eBoard with classmates

and professors• Office Hours (if possible)• Online Chats with prof.• E-mail

Almost Famous (2000)Written by Cameron Crowe

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And Not Just Any Kind of And Not Just Any Kind of Interactivity!Interactivity!

• To study writing and film we must debate.• However this does not require being

disrespectful or insensitive.• I expect us to discuss writing and film with

passion and perspective. • I expect us to challenge each other’s

conceptions of writing and film with rigor and respect.

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What do we study in this course?What do we study in this course?

Lesson 1: Part III

Rope (1948)Written by Patrick Hamilton (play) and Hume Cronyn (adaptation) and Arthur Laurents (screenplay)

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The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process• What does it take to be

a successful screenwriter?

• Getting Started• Staying Focused• The Workshop• Revision

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The Great Dictator (1940)Written by Charles Chaplin

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The Principles of DramaThe Principles of Drama

• How is storytelling related to screenwriting?

– Plot and story

– Character and emotion

– The three-part structure

– Dialogue

– Meaning

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Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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AssignmentsAssignments

Lesson 1: Part IV

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Participation/Exercises Participation/Exercises

• Participation and short writing exercises are worth 40% of your final grade (200 points)

• Grade is based on:• Contributing one writing exercise and two

posts per lesson to the forum. • Keeping up with posts and exercises -

meeting deadlines.• Quality of posts & exercises.• See Syllabus

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TreatmentTreatment

• The treatment is worth 20% of your grade (100 Points)

– It is a boiled down prose version of your story that includes such crucial aspects as an outline of the plot and a description of the main characters and their function within the plot.

– It should be 2-3 single spaced pages. – See the website for a sample treatment.

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First Draft of Short ScriptFirst Draft of Short Script• 20% of your grade (100 pts)

– You will complete the first draft of a screenplay for a short film. A first draft is by definition rough, but it should be about 10 pages long and include a beginning, middle and end along with other identifiable aspects of story structure such as conflict, crisis and resolution. Your script should be in a standard screenplay format approved by your instructor.

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Final Draft of a Short ScriptFinal Draft of a Short Script

• 20% of your grade (100 pts)– The final draft will include many of the

elements of the first draft but show demonstrable improvement over the first draft. The student should aim for the final draft to be 10-12 pages. It should be as polished as possible in terms of both the writing and the format.

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Why the Short Film?Why the Short Film?

Lesson 1: Part V

George Lucas in Love (1999)Written by Joe Nussbaum and Timothy Dowling (story) and Joe Nussbaum and Daniel Sheere (writer)

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Starting ShortStarting Short

• As a beginner, writing a short script before you attempt to write a feature-length script allows you to:– Work with the principles of

fiction and drama at a manageable level

– Learn economy– Revise more easily– Practice screenplay format

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Advantages for the Student Advantages for the Student FilmmakerFilmmaker

• Short films are the predominant form in film schools

• Far cheaper to make than features• Easier to get into film festivals• Can act as a calling card to the film

industry

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Short Film about Short FilmsShort Film about Short Films

• At the conclusion of the lecture watch “Live at Sundance: Short Films, Tall Ideas.”

• Then go to the eBoard and answer the questions for lesson1.

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Five Things to Remember Five Things to Remember

• Go through the website, or virtual classroom, with care; know it well.

• Get to know your classmates.• Keep up with all Lesson Tasks.• Turn assignments in on time, written at a

college level.• Discuss with rigor & respect.

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End of Lecture 1End of Lecture 1

Next Lecture: How do I get Started Writing and how do I Keep Going?