Arkansas State University

College of Communications

Department of Radio-Television

RTV 3403 01, Screenwriting for Narrative Motion Pictures

CRN: 69099

Fall, 2010

Mondays, 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Gary W. Jones,

Office: Radio Office 141

Office Hours: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Mondays

24/7 by appointment and by e-mail and text.

Tel. 501.766.9493

Send e-mails to gary@jonesfilmvideo.com

Website: http://asctp.org/RTV3403.htm

I. Course Description: Prerequisite course for students interested in producing feature-length, narrative motion pictures. Explores screenwriting and storytelling techniques as related to the development of narrative features.

II. Cognitive Objectives to be mastered:

Upon the conclusion of this course, the student should:

* Be familiar with proper screenplay format.

* Be familiar with three-act narrative screenplay structure.

* Develop an ability to effectively describe (using the proper terms) and interpret the strengths and weakness of theatrical feature film screenplays.

* Develop a deeper, richer appreciation for the power and challenges of using moving images to tell fictional stories.

Performance Standards to be met:

· Read and participate in the discussion of at least fifteen full-length feature motion picture screenplays.

· Write at least fifteen one-page screenplays in proper format.

III. Text: Optional

Mamet, David. Three Uses of the Knife: On the Nature and Purpose of Drama, Columbia University Press, 1998.

Note: This book of lectures is readily available at reasonable used prices from such booksellers as Amazon.com and Abebooks.com. It has been suggested purely as an additional resource to help further your understanding of class topics.

Also recommended:

Brady, John. The Craft of the Screenwriter: Interviews with Six Celebrated Screenwriters, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1981.

Cook, David A. A History of Narrative Film, Third Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 1996.

Corey, Melinda and George Ochoa, eds. The American Film Institute Desk Reference, New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2002.

Gomery, Douglas. Movie History: A Survey, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1991.

Rosenbaum, Jonathan. Essential Cinema: On the Necessity of Film Canons, Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.

Schneider, Steven Jay, ed. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, Hauppauge, New York: Barron’s, 2008.

IV. Course Requirements

Tests: There will be two written “take-home” with answers to be provided in proper screenplay form. These will be the midterm and final.

Written Submissions: Each student will produce fifteen to forty-five one-page screenplay pages written in proper format.

V. Attendance:

Blackboard participation—including screenplay reviews and comments upon screenplays referenced by other student--counts for 30% in your grade in this course.

VI Makeup for Student Athletes:

Student athletes will have one-week from the date of their return to class, from a university related activity, to make up any work missed. Work not made up during this week period will receive a zero ("0"). It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor regarding the completion of make up work, within the specified period.

VII Grading:

Grades are earned—not “given”. Your final grade will depend strictly on how much work you put into your class participation, test scores, and written critiques. To earn an "A" grade, you must consistently produce excellent work and turn in at least 45 pages of screenplay material in proper format. For a "B" you must consistently produce good work and turn in at least 30 pages of screenplay material in proper format. A "C" will be earned for satisfactory work and turning in at least 15 pages of screenplay material in proper format, a "D" for poor but passing performance and an "F" for failure. And, yes, I do count off for misspelled words and improper syntax—unless required for accurate dialogue vernacular.

Your final grade will be calculated using the following percentage points: Midterm Exam = 10%; Final Exam = 10%; Class Participation: 30%; Writing samples: 50% (TOTAL = 100%).

The grading scale is as follows: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70 - 79=C; 60 - 69=D; BELOW 60=F. (Instructor’s reflection: in the “olden days”, 95-100=A.)

VIII Cell Phone/Pager Policy:

Cell phones, pagers and other personal communication devices that beep must be turned off before class commences. There are no exceptions to this rule. Please advise anyone who may have the need to reach you by cell phone or pager to do so after class. It is your responsibility to make your class schedule available to all prospective callers.

IX Disability Support Services:

It is the policy of Arkansas State University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the University's commitment to equal educational opportunities.  Any student with a disability who needs accommodation, for example, in seating placement or in arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.  The chair of the department offering this course is also available to assist with accommodations.  Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services.

XII. Tentative Class Activity Schedule

Wk/Class # Day/Date		Activity	Assignments/ classroom viewings
1/1 2/2	Mon, Aug 23	Course Orientation and Syllabus; Class Discussion & Workshop
	Mon, Aug 30	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #1; Turn in Pages
3/-- 4/3	Mon, Sept 6	LABOR DAY HOLIDAY	Read Screenplay #2; Turn in Pages
	Mon, Sept 13	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #3; Turn in Pages
5/4 6/5	Mon, Sept 20	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #4; Turn in Pages
	Mon, Sept 27	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #5; Turn in Pages
7/6 8/7	Mon, Oct 4	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #6; Turn in Pages
	Mon, Oct 11	Mid-term Exam	Read Screenplay #7; Exam pages
9/8 10/9	Mon, Oct 18	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #8; Turn in Pages
	Mon, Oct 25	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #9; Turn in Pages
11/10 12/11	Mon, Nov 1	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #10; Turn in Pages
	Mon, Nov 8	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #11; Turn in Pages
13/12 14/--	Mon, Nov 15	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #12; Turn in Pages
	Mon, Nov 22 - Sat., Nov 27	No Classes -- Fall Break	Read Screenplay #13; Turn in Pages
15/13 16/14	Mon, Dec 6	Read writing samples & Class Discussion	Read Screenplay #14; Turn in Pages
	Mon, Dec 13	Final Exam	Read Screenplay #15; Exam pages

Note: The Final Exam for this class is scheduled for Monday, December 13, 2010, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Grades due by 12:00 noon Friday, December 17th.