USC School of Cinematic Arts

USC School of Cinematic Arts

INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING

CTWR 412

SECTION 19357

Spring Semester 2018

Fridays, 10:00 a.m.-12:50p.m.

Room SCA342

Jeff Hammer, Instructor

email:

Office hours by appointment

COURSE OBJECTIVES:This course is an introduction to the art and practice of writing the dramatic screenplay. Students will gain an understanding of the elements of dramatic structure, theme, plot, character, and dialogue and begin to find their own voice as screenwriters.

COURSE GOALS:Class meetings will primarily be held in workshop format. Work will be written, presented, analyzed, and discussed. In addition to weekly assignments, each student will finish the semester with a fully realized short screenplay of 10-15 pages.

RECOMMENDED READING (available on Amazon): You are urged to READ SCREENPLAYS(in standard screenplay format) of films that you know well and especially admire. It’s the best way to experience how the visuals and dialogue of an influential film first played out on the page. You can find many of them online, especially at imsdb.com. Also recommended:

 The Tools of Screenwriting by David Howard and Edward Mabley

SUGGESTED: FINAL DRAFT screenwriting software

GRADES:

Class participation - 10%

Writing Exercises - 50% (10% each)

Final Short Screenplay - 40%

Per the Writing Division policy the following is a breakdown of numeric grade toletter grade:

A100% to 94%C76% to 73%

A-93% to 90% C-72% to 70%

B+89% to 87% D+69% to 67%

B 86% to 83% D66% to 63%

B- 82% to 80% D- 62% to 60%

C+ 79% to 77% F 59% to 0%

CLASS RULES:

Participation: Constructive feedback is a crucial component to this course, and the best way to participate is to be present. As such, students are expected to be on time and prepared for each class.Unexcused absences or repeated lateness will lower your final grade.

-Students who miss a class, excused or unexcused, will receive a zero for participation for the missed class. You can’t participate if you are not here.

With 1 absence, the highest participation grade you can earn is an A-.
With 2 absences, the highest participation grade you can earn is a B.
With 3 absences, the highest participation grade you can earn is a B-.
More than three absences, excused or unexcused, will be basis for failure for the course.

-Two unexcused absences will lower your final grade by a letter (i.e. A to B).

-A third unexcused absence will lower your final grade by another full letter (i.e. B to C).

-Two late arrivals and/or early departures equates to one full absence.

-In order for an absence to be excused, the student must have written approval from the instructor prior to the absence.

-Please note that if you are a Screenwriting major/minor, you must receive a grade of a C or better in order to receive degree credit. If you have any questions about the minimum grade required for credit, please check with yourhome department.

Late Assignments:Punctual and professional work is an expectation of the course. Late work will negatively impact your final grade.

-Work submitted 0-6 hours past the deadline may earn a maximum grade of an A- for the assignment.

-Work submitted 6-24 hours past the deadline may earn a maximum grade of a B for the assignment.

-Work submitted 1-3 days past the deadline may earn a maximum grade of a C for the assignment.

-Work submitted 3-7 days past the deadline may earn a maximum grade of a D for the assignment.

-Work submitted 1-2 weeks past the deadline may earn a maximum grade of an F (50%) for the assignment.

-Assignments that are 2 weeks late from the original due date will not be accepted, thereby resulting in a zero for the grade.

Assignments must be properly formatted and PROOFREAD. You will be held to professional standards. Typos, abused homonyms (there/their/they’re), and grammatical and spelling errors may cause your draft to be returned unread.

Missed Assignment or Incompletes: The only acceptable excuses for missing an assignment or taking an incomplete in the course are personal illness or a family emergency. Students must inform the instructor BEFOREthe assignment due date and present verifiable evidence in order for a make-up to be scheduled. Students who need to take incompletes must also present documentation of the problem to the instructor before the final assignment is due.

All work must be original and originate in this class. No revisions of work started in other classes or adaptations of others’ work will be accepted without the prior written permission of the instructor.

E-mail Formats: Assignments delivered by email should be in PDF format. The filenames should consist of the “student’s last name_ assignment name_date.pdf “ (Example: Gonzales_CharacterSketch_1-15-18.pdf)

Laptop, Cell Phone, iPad Policy: Cell phones must be turned off during class. Laptops, iPads, and similar devices may be used only with permission from the instructor.

Respect: Constructive critiques of your peers’ work is expected and encouraged. However, personal or needlessly harsh attacks will not be tolerated. Students engaging in such negative activity will be dismissed from class.

Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems

Academic Conduct: Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism inSCampusin Part B, Section 11, “Behavior Violating University Standards” Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information inSCampusand university policies on scientific misconduct,

Support Systems:

Student Counseling Services (SCS) - (213) 740-7711 – 24/7 on call

Free and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255

Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP) - (213) 740-4900 - 24/7 on call

Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender-based harm.

Sexual Assault Resource Center

For more information about how to get help or help a survivor, rights, reporting options, and additional resources, visit the website:

Office of Equity and Diversity (OED)/Title IX Compliance – (213) 740-5086

Works with faculty, staff, visitors, applicants, and students around issues of protected class.

Bias Assessment Response and Support

Incidents of bias, hate crimes and microaggressions need to be reported allowing for appropriate investigation and response.

The Office of Disability Services and Programs

Provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange relevant accommodations.

Student Support and Advocacy – (213) 821-4710

Assists students and families in resolving complex issues adversely affecting their success as a student EX: personal, financial, and academic.

Diversity at USC

Information on events, programs and training, the Diversity Task Force (including representatives for each school), chronology, participation, and various resources for students.

USC Emergency Information

Provides safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible,

USC Department of Public Safety –213-740-4321 (UPC) and 323-442-1000 (HSC) for 24-hour emergency assistance or to report a crime.

Provides overall safety to USC community.

PLEASE NOTE:

FOOD AND DRINKS (OTHER THAN WATER) ARE NOT PERMITTED IN ANY INSTRUCTIONAL SPACES IN THE CINEMATIC ARTS COMPLEX

SYLLABUS

Syllabus and assignments are subject to change at instructor’s discretion. If changes to the schedule occur, students will receive an emailed notice.

WEEK 1 (1/12/18)

 Focus: Introductions, Rules, Getting Started

 Focus: What are the components of a screenplay?

 Assign Group A and Group B

Assignments due Week 2:

GROUP A – Write 2 scenes in screenplay format that showcase the PREPARATION for a special occasion and the AFTERMATH. No Dialogue! Was preparation successful? A disappointment? Perhaps, was it tragic? The combined length for the 2 scenes should be a maximum of 2 pages. This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #1. Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

GROUP B – Read Juno ( prepared for next class to identify the following:

1) Protagonist – how is he or she introduced?

2) Objective

3) Point of Attack – including specific page number.

4) Antagonist(s) – introduction?

Recommended Reading – The Tools of Screenwriting, pp. 21-39

WEEK 2 (1/19/18)

 Focus: Character Intros

 Discussion ofJuno

 Workshop Group A Scenes of Preparation/Aftermath

Assignments due Week 3:

GROUP A –Read The Silence of the Lambs ( Come prepared for next class to identify the following:

1) Protagonist – how is he or she introduced?

2) Objective

3) Point of Attack – including specific page number.

4) Antagonist(s) – how is he or she introduced?

GROUP B –Write 2 scenes in screenplay format that showcase the PREPARATION for a special occasion and the AFTERMATH. No Dialogue! Was the preparation successful? A disappointment? Perhaps, was it tragic? The combined length for the 2 scenes should be a maximum of 2 pages. This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #1. Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

WEEK 3 (1/26/18)

 Focus: Writing Scene Description

 Discussion ofThe Silence of the Lambs

 Workshop Group B Scenes of Preparation/Aftermath

Assignments due Week 4:

GROUP A –This exercise is designed to build your sense of a visually dynamic location. The goal is to engage the audience without introducing action –use of sounds and visuals. This assignment will include three parts: 1) Fear 2) Romance 3) Comedy. These scenes are not to be connected into a larger story; they are simply planting expectations based on the parameters described below. The combined length for the 3 scenes should be a maximum of 2 pages.

Scene 1) Pick a cinematic location. Write a scene in screenplay format in which you describe the sights and sounds of that location in order to make the audience think something frightening or violent is going to take place. No dialogue! The scene ends when your character enters the location.

Scene 2) Repeat the exercise with the same location, but use the sights and sounds to make the audience expect something romantic is about to take place. As before, the scene ends when the same character enters the scene. Again, no dialogue!

Scene 3) Repeat a third time using sights and sounds to make the audience expect something humorous is about to happen. Again, no dialogue!

The fear or love or laughs should not come from the character's interaction or movement. The goal is to get the audience to expect something will happen. (Example: Show the banana peel, but not the man slipping…)

This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #2. Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

GROUP B – Read The Piano(

Recommended Reading – The Tools of Screenwriting, pp. 43-68

WEEK 4 (2/2/18)

 Focus: Writing Visually

 Discussion ofThe Piano

 Workshop Group A Scenes of Expectation

Assignments due Week 5:

GROUP A –Read Precious (

GROUP B –This exercise is designed to build your sense of a visually dynamic location. The goal is to engage the audience without introducing action –use of sounds and visuals. This assignment will include three parts: 1) Fear 2) Romance 3) Comedy. These scenes are not to be connected into a larger story; they are simply planting expectations based on the parameters described below. The combined length for the 3 scenes should be a maximum of 2 pages.

Scene 3) Repeat a third time using sights and sounds to make the audience expect something humorous is about to happen. Again, no dialogue!

This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #2. Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

WEEK 5 (2/9/18)

 Focus: Writing a scene

 Discussion ofPrecious

 Workshop Group B Scenes of Expectation

Assignments due Week 6:

GROUP A –Write a scene in screenplay format that involves ONLY 2 characters; do NOT include a third (or fourth)! The setting is up to you, but the scene should take place in a single location; the characters should NOT move from one place to another! The conflict of the scene is that one person wants to leave, and the other person wants to stay. The reasons for wanting to stay and leave will be your own creation. Feel free to add details and elements that will affect the scene: gender, age, race, physical or mental disability, what historic time period it’s set, etc. Use your imagination.Make it interesting.This scene will include dialogue.

This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #3. The scene should be 2-3 pages in length.Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

GROUP B –Read The Descendants (

Recommended Reading – The Tools of Screenwriting, pp. 68-83

WEEK 6 (2/16/18)

 Focus: Writing Dialogue

 Discussion ofThe Descendants

 Workshop Group A Scene in 1 Room

Assignments due Week 7:

GROUP A –Read 12 Years A Slave(

GROUP B –Write a scene in screenplay format that involves ONLY 2 characters; do NOT include a third (or fourth)! The setting is up to you, but the scene should take place in a single location; the characters should NOT move from one place to another! The conflict of the scene is that one person wants to leave, and the other person wants to stay. The reasons for wanting to stay and leave will be your own creation. Feel free to add details and elements that will affect the scene: gender, age, race, physical or mental disability, what historic time period it’s set, etc. Use your imagination. Make it interesting. This scene will include dialogue.

This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #3. The scene should be 2-3 pages in length.Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

WEEK 7 (2/23/18)

 Focus: Writing Action

 Discussion of12 Years A Slave

 Workshop Group B Scene in 1 Room

Assignments due Week 8:

GROUP A –Write a scene in screenplay format that involves one person trying to escape from a situation and another person trying to prevent this escape. The type of escape and the stakes surrounding it are entirely up to you – i.e. a prison break, exiting a burning building, trying to get out of a bad date, etc. The focus of this assignment is to clearly and economically convey the action of the situation in an engaging manner.This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #4. The scene should be 2-3 pages in length.Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

GROUP B –Read Sense and Sensibility (

Recommended Reading – The Tools of Screenwriting, pp. 83-97

WEEK 8 (3/2/18)

 Focus: Story structure (The Short Film)

 Discussion of Sense and Sensibility

 Workshop Group A Escape Scenes

Assignments due Week 9:

GROUP A –Read Thelma & Louise (

GROUP B –Write a scene in screenplay format that involves one person trying to escape from a situation and another person trying to prevent this escape. The type of escape and the stakes surrounding it are entirely up to you – i.e. a prison break, exiting a burning building, trying to get out of a bad date, etc. The focus of this assignment is to clearly and economically convey the action of the situation in an engaging manner.This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #4. The scene should be 2-3 pages in length.Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

WEEK 9 (3/9/18)

 Focus: Writing a Step Outline

 Discussion of Thelma & Louise

 Workshop Group B escape scenes

Written Assignment due Week 10:

GROUP A –Expand your feature story idea into a step outline of not more than 4 pages, breaking it down into 3 acts. Tell the story as it will unfold on the screen, including proper slug lines for each scene. Include the setting, the major characters, the main story beats, and the resolution. Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #5.

GROUP B –Read Network (

NOTE: The deadline for submitting screenplays for possible production in CTPR 480 is before midnight on March 18.Consult the 480 Submission Guidelines (available on the SCA Community website, in the Writing Division office, and in SPO) for detailed instructions on how to submit.

SPRING BREAK (March 12-16)

WEEK 10 (3/23/18)

 Focus:Reviewing your characters

 Discussion of Network

 Workshop Group A Step Outlines

Assignments due Week 11:

GROUP A –Read The Crying Game( Begin writing the 1st Draft of your short screenplay. This assignment will be workshopped on 4/6.

GROUP B –Expand your feature story idea into a step outline of not more than 4 pages, breaking it down into 3 acts. Tell the story as it will unfold on the screen, including proper slug lines for each scene. Include the setting, the major characters, the main story beats, and the resolution. Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.This is WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #5.

WEEK 11 (3/30/18)

 Focus: Rewriting

 Discussion of The Crying Game

 Workshop Group A Step Outlines

Assignments due Week 12:

GROUP A –Finish the 1st draft of your short screenplay. The length should be between 10-15 pages. Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

GROUP B –Read Dead Poets Society( Begin writing the 1st Draft of your short screenplay. This assignment will be workshopped on 4/13.

WEEK 12 (4/6/18)

 Discussion of Dead Poets Society

 Workshop Group A 1st Drafts

Assignments due Week 13:

GROUP A – Begin writing the 2nd Draft of your short screenplay. This assignment will be workshopped on 4/20.

GROUP B –Finish the 1st draft of your short screenplay. The length should be between 10-15 pages. Email a copy to all members of the class by Wednesday at noon.

WEEK 13 (4/13/18)

 Focus: Revising your synopsis