Diane Howard, Ph.D.

Office Hours (Presser 421): T/Th- 2:30- 4 p.m., F- 4 p.m.; Appointments Available- M-F- 11:00 a.m., W & F- 1-2:30 p.m.

Textbook:
Real Screenwriting: Strategies and Stories from the Trenches by Ron Suppa, Thompson Publishing

Additional Readings:
Handouts in class

Course goal:
Students will write a short screenplay.

Course objectives:

• Students will demonstrate effective screenwriting techniques.
  Students will demonstrate effective collaboration techniques.
• Student will demonstrate effective research techniques.

Course Requirements:

• Students will complete assigned readings.
• Students will come to class with prepared assignments.
• Students will collaborate on the online My Campus class site.
   

Course Topics Outline:

• Writing Notebook
• Screenwriter’s Life
• Collaborating, Giving Feedback
• Concept to Script
• Narrative Films for Different Purposes- Entertainment, Training, Education…
• Ms. Teel- Screen various student videos- Sept. 5, Wed.
• Premise
• Illusion of Reality/Believability
• Genres
• Research
• Dynamic Openings
• Hooks
• Characters We Care About
• Backstory
• Clear Goals
• Conflict in the Story
• Protagonist
• Antagonist
• Supporting Characters
• Structure
• Scenes & Sequences
• Dialogue
• Subtext
• Ending
• Audience
• Narrative
• Format
• Rewriting/Revising
• Theme/Major Ideas for Your Screenplay
• Action Outline for Your Screenplay
• Description of Characters for Your Screenplay
• Description of Your Characters' Development
• Description of Your Characters’ Interactions/Conflicts/Resolutions
• 1^st Draft
• 2^nd Draft
• 3^rd Draft
• Final Draft
• Final Reading of Final Draft

Evaluation:
One third of the final grade is based required projects.
One third of the final grade is to be based on the following: responsibility, dependability,
    effort, academic integrity, time invested, and class attendance/participation.
One third of the final grade is to be based on the final screenplay.

Appropriate Dress:  Modest Clothing,  no hats or flip-flop shoes

Teaching Philosophy- See http://www.dianehoward.com/phil.prac.contrib.htm

This class will adhere to Student Policies and Standards as set forth in the UMHB Student Handbook.

Workshop Requirements:
Students are expected to participate in five events from the following categories.
They are personal marketing workshops, laboratory performances,
productions (on or off campus), and/or Humanities programs/events (see calendar).