III. The student will be able to perform as a professional
screenwriter by:

1. Writing scripts within acceptable industry standards
2. Analyzing and Critiquing Films and Scripts
3. Pitching Stories for Production

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Five out-of-class assignments:          

  Format Assignment (100 points)

  Short Film Report (100 points)

  Short Story Report/Pitch (100 points)

  Short Story Script Adaptation (300 points)

  Original Short Film Script (300 points)

Attendance and Participation (100 points)

                                     TOTAL       1,000 points

GRADING SCALE

A =  900 – 1,000

B =  800 – 899

C =  700 – 799

D =  600 – 700

F  =      0 – 600

Assignments cannot be submitted via email. All work is to be
typed and printed.  Scripts must be secured with staples or
paper clips only.  Students must keep a copy of all work turned in.
Page numbers should appear on the right, beginning with page 2.
Student’s name should appear on the title page.

It is required that each student has a command of the English
language.  More than 5 typographical, spelling, grammatical or
format errors for any assignment and the final script will receive
a failing grade.  The student will be given one chance to correct
the paper and re-submit it for a grade.  Deductions will be made
for work that fails to fall within length requirements for the
assignment. (See Class Policies below, C. Deadlines – D. Rewrites)

CLASS POLICIES 

A.      ATTENDANCE.  Attendance is mandatory.  There are no
excused absences.  Perfect attendance receives 100 points
toward the final grade.  Ten points are deducted for each
absence.  A total of ten absences will result in an automatic F. 
Two late arrivals, anytime after the roll is called, constitute
one absence.

B.      WITHDRAWAL.  It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the withdrawal process before the applicable deadline. Otherwise,
an F will be issued at the end of the term. The student should
discuss withdrawal with the instructor before withdrawing. 
No “incomplete” grades will be given for this course.

C.      DEADLINES.  Assignments must be delivered on the due date.
No assignment will be accepted late unless prior arrange-

            ments have been made.

D.      REWRITES.  Rewrites will be allowed on an individual basis only. 
This requires the student to meet with the instructor and
discuss the problems and solutions needed to upgrade the
work.  Rewrite deadlines will be determined on an individual

            basis.
 

E.      PARTICIPATION.  It is expected that students will be prepared
to join in the classroom discussion.  Students should be able
to evaluate each other's work and accept constructive
criticism from the class and the instructor.  This makes for
a better learning environment.

F.      CELL PHONES.  Cell phones, Blackberries and PDAs are to be
turned off during class time.  If your cell phone rings, buzzes,
vibrates, etc., you will turn your cell phone over to the
instructor to be held until the end of the class time.

G.      DISABILITY STATEMENT.  Students with documented special
learning and/or physical needs should contact the Student
Access Office on Campus and inform the instructor so that
proper accommodations can be made.

H.      ETHICS POLICY.  Academic dishonesty in any form will not be
tolerated and violators will be subjected to the policies
stated in the Student Handbook.

I.      EXTRA CREDIT AND EMAILS. Your professor regularly uses your mymdc.edu email address so send important announcements,

            including opportunities to receive extra credit.  It is the

            students' responsibility to check their mymdc.edu email

            account regularly to keep themselves informed.  Extra Credit

            points may not be used in place of an assignment.

CLASS SCHEDULE

First Week

Introduction to the course.

Syllabus presented and discussed

Short Film: "The Hire: Hostage"  (John Woo)

Purchase textbooks

Read Field Chapters 1, 2 and 13

Second Week

How to write visually

Short Film: "Sawdust & Tinsel" (Ingmar Bergman)

Read Bowles Chapters 1-4

Download and write Assignment #1

Thursday, January 22

ASSIGNMENT #1 DUE– FORMAT

Discussion of problems encountered

Fourth Week

ASSIGNMENT #1 Returned

Discussion of grades

The Narrative Short Film Formats

Short Film: "The Closet" (Shawn Scheppes)

Begin watching short films on the web

Fifth Week

The Narrative Short Film Formats

Short Film: "The Key to Reserva" (Martin Scorsese)

Continue watching short films on the web

Wednesday, February 4, Midnight

ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE– Short Film Report via email

Discussion of problems encountered

Sixth Week

Short Film Screenings

ASSIGNMENT #2 Returned

Begin reading short stories

Seventh Week

Short Film: "Non-Fiction" (Todd Solondz)

Read Field Chapters 5, 6 and 7

Read Seger Chapters 1 and 2

Continue reading short stories

Thursday, February 19

ASSIGNMENT #3 DUE– Short Story Report/Pitch

Narrative Structure

Read Field Chapters 10 and 11

Read Seger Chapter 5

Tenth Week

Short Film Narrative Structure

Compilation Film: "Paris Je T'Aime" (various directors)

Read Field Chapter 15

Download and write Assignment #4

Tuesday, March 12

ASSIGNMENT #4 DUE– Short Story Adaptation

Eleventh Week

ASSIGNMENT #4 Returned

Discussion of grades

Read Field Chapters 8 and 9

Twelfth Week

Setting Up the Story

Short Film: "And Then, Home" (Sheldon Allen)

Read Seger Chapter 6

Thirteenth Week

Writing the Short Screenplay

Read Field Chapter 14

Download and write Assignment #5

Thursday, April 16

ASSIGNMENT #5 DUE– Original Short Film Script

Discussion of problems encountered

Fifteenth Week

Late Submissions for Assignment #5

allowed only with instructor’s prior permission

Sixteenth Week

ASSIGNMENT #5 Returned

Discussion of final grades

End of Course