Untitled Document

SCRIPTWRITING

PBDS 625.185

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

TEXT: Writing for the Media: The Textbook

There are, in addition, a variety of resources on reserve in Langsdale Library, some of which you'll need to read.

BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO

Define, explain, and demonstrate the proper notation and use of common audio and video production and script elements.

List and use several methods for developing characters.

Demonstrate several techniques for creating environments in audio and video scripts.

Translate real or fictional events into media scripts.

Write behavioral (performance) objectives.

Explain and demonstrate the use of common instructional and persuasive techniques in the creation of effective scripts.

Write media copy under time constraints.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Your final grade will be based on a portfolio containing the following work:

1. Dramatic Script (7:00-10:00)

2. Informational Script (7:00-10:00)

3. Persuasive Script(s) (one 7:00-10:00 or eight commercials or PSA's, including 2:00, :60, :30, :20)

4. Final Project

I will comment on and return each of these to you shortly after the due date. The final portfolio, due Dec.15, will consist of the final revisions of your four scripts plus the earlier version with my grade and comments. I will not accept a revision unless it is accompanied by the earlier, graded version. (If you choose not to revise a script, just resubmit the previously graded version.

COURSE STRUCTURE

We will spend most of the course discussing and sharing ideas and readings related to the topic du jour. Augmenting the assigned readings will be audio and videotapes. Some of the course will be spent in workshops, discussing your work-in-development.

Please schedule conferences with me whenever you think it necessary or helpful.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

The course schedule includes three "workshops." The workshop has two purposes: to allow you to get feedback from others about the strengths and weaknesses of your scripts before you "officially" submit the scripts for grades; and to enable you to look at and evaluate other people's scripts in order to better recognize strengths and weaknesses in your own.

Bring [the assigned number of] copies of your work to class the week before your workshop is scheduled (one for you plus copies for other people in your workshop group). Other students will read and evaluate your work over the next week and then discuss it during the workshop. Based on those comments, you may then revise and improve your script.

ATTENDANCE

1. You're responsible for all class material, whether or not you're in class.

2. I will use attendance and participation --especially workshop participation-- to help resolve borderline grades.

3. Should class be canceled for any reason, be prepared, at the next class, to cover the work from both classes.

GRADES

Each script will ultimately be graded according to the following criteria (in this order):

a) fulfillment of the assignment;

b) proper use of form and technical elements;

c) creativity and originality.

PBDS 625/SCRIPTWRITING

Class Schedule

September 5: OVERVIEW, TECHNOLOGY, TERMINOLOGY, DRAMA

September 12: NO CLASS: LABOR DAY

September 19: DIALOGUE & DRAMA

Text: Chs.1,2,3,7,8

LL: [Drama --125 pp.]

(To get into the spirit and rhythm of dialogue writing, start consciously eavesdropping on people. Listen to the way they talk, the ways they phrase their thoughts. It's even a good idea to write down overheard conversations verbatim and look at them in print.)

Write three minutes of dialogue between two people. (It needn't have a beginning or an end.)

WORKSHOP: Dialogue

September 26: NO CLASS: YOM KIPPUR

October 3: DRAMATIC SCRIPTS (cont'd)

TECHNICAL ELEMENTS QUIZ

October 10: INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS

Text: Chs.4,5,6,9

[Dramatic scripts due]

October 17: INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS

LL: [Information --100pp]

[Read Class Scripts]

WORKSHOP: Dramatic Scripts

October 24: INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS (cont'd)

Dramatic Script revision due

October 31: PERSUASIVE SCRIPTS

Text: Chs.10,11

[Informational scripts due]

November 7: PERSUASIVE SCRIPTS (cont'd)

LL: [Persuasion --100pp]

[Read Class Scripts]

WORKSHOP: Informational Scripts

November 14: PERSUASIVE SCRIPTS (cont'd)

[Informational Script revision due]

Final Project proposals due

November 21:

Persuasive Script due

November 28:

[Read Class Scripts]

WORKSHOP: Persuasive Scripts

December 5: [FINAL PROJECT CONFERENCES]

[Persuasive Script revision due]

December 12: FINAL PROJECTS DUE NO LATER THAN 5:45PM

I will grade these scripts and return them to you by 5:30 pm Monday, December 17. If I do not have your work by 5:45, I cannot guarantee that I will get it back to you in time for you to revise it; you may have to accept that grade as your "final" final project grade.

Wednesday, December 19:

PORTFOLIO DUE NO LATER THAN 5:45PM.




			SCRIPTWRITING PBDS 625.185 NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. TEXT: Writing for the Media: The Textbook There are, in addition, a variety of resources on reserve in Langsdale Library, some of which you'll need to read. BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO Define, explain, and demonstrate the proper notation and use of common audio and video production and script elements. List and use several methods for developing characters. Demonstrate several techniques for creating environments in audio and video scripts. Translate real or fictional events into media scripts. Write behavioral (performance) objectives. Explain and demonstrate the use of common instructional and persuasive techniques in the creation of effective scripts. Write media copy under time constraints. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Your final grade will be based on a portfolio containing the following work: 1. Dramatic Script (7:00-10:00) 2. Informational Script (7:00-10:00) 3. Persuasive Script(s) (one 7:00-10:00 or eight commercials or PSA's, including 2:00, :60, :30, :20) 4. Final Project I will comment on and return each of these to you shortly after the due date. The final portfolio, due Dec.15, will consist of the final revisions of your four scripts plus the earlier version with my grade and comments. I will not accept a revision unless it is accompanied by the earlier, graded version. (If you choose not to revise a script, just resubmit the previously graded version. COURSE STRUCTURE We will spend most of the course discussing and sharing ideas and readings related to the topic du jour. Augmenting the assigned readings will be audio and videotapes. Some of the course will be spent in workshops, discussing your work-in-development. Please schedule conferences with me whenever you think it necessary or helpful. WORKSHOP FORMAT The course schedule includes three "workshops." The workshop has two purposes: to allow you to get feedback from others about the strengths and weaknesses of your scripts before you "officially" submit the scripts for grades; and to enable you to look at and evaluate other people's scripts in order to better recognize strengths and weaknesses in your own. Bring [the assigned number of] copies of your work to class the week before your workshop is scheduled (one for you plus copies for other people in your workshop group). Other students will read and evaluate your work over the next week and then discuss it during the workshop. Based on those comments, you may then revise and improve your script. ATTENDANCE 1. You're responsible for all class material, whether or not you're in class. 2. I will use attendance and participation --especially workshop participation-- to help resolve borderline grades. 3. Should class be canceled for any reason, be prepared, at the next class, to cover the work from both classes. GRADES Each script will ultimately be graded according to the following criteria (in this order): a) fulfillment of the assignment; b) proper use of form and technical elements; c) creativity and originality. PBDS 625/SCRIPTWRITING Class Schedule September 5: OVERVIEW, TECHNOLOGY, TERMINOLOGY, DRAMA September 12: NO CLASS: LABOR DAY September 19: DIALOGUE & DRAMA Text: Chs.1,2,3,7,8 LL: [Drama --125 pp.] (To get into the spirit and rhythm of dialogue writing, start consciously eavesdropping on people. Listen to the way they talk, the ways they phrase their thoughts. It's even a good idea to write down overheard conversations verbatim and look at them in print.) Write three minutes of dialogue between two people. (It needn't have a beginning or an end.) WORKSHOP: Dialogue September 26: NO CLASS: YOM KIPPUR October 3: DRAMATIC SCRIPTS (cont'd) TECHNICAL ELEMENTS QUIZ October 10: INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS Text: Chs.4,5,6,9 [Dramatic scripts due] October 17: INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS LL: [Information --100pp] [Read Class Scripts] WORKSHOP: Dramatic Scripts October 24: INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS (cont'd) Dramatic Script revision due October 31: PERSUASIVE SCRIPTS Text: Chs.10,11 [Informational scripts due] November 7: PERSUASIVE SCRIPTS (cont'd) LL: [Persuasion --100pp] [Read Class Scripts] WORKSHOP: Informational Scripts November 14: PERSUASIVE SCRIPTS (cont'd) [Informational Script revision due] Final Project proposals due November 21: Persuasive Script due November 28: [Read Class Scripts] WORKSHOP: Persuasive Scripts December 5: [FINAL PROJECT CONFERENCES] [Persuasive Script revision due] December 12: FINAL PROJECTS DUE NO LATER THAN 5:45PM I will grade these scripts and return them to you by 5:30 pm Monday, December 17. If I do not have your work by 5:45, I cannot guarantee that I will get it back to you in time for you to revise it; you may have to accept that grade as your "final" final project grade. Wednesday, December 19: PORTFOLIO DUE NO LATER THAN 5:45PM. home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore