Final Assignment: The Pitch and the Script

Introduction

This is your final assignment, consisting of two parts: a story pitch exercise and a final script. This assignment represents the culmination of your learning in this course, focusing on idea generation, story development, and script execution. You'll begin with a timed pitch exercise to generate potential story ideas, then develop one of these ideas into a complete 8-10 page script.

Assignment Details

Due Dates:

  • Story Pitches: Tuesday, November 26 (5%)
  • Final Script Early Submission: Tuesday, December 3 (1% bonus)
  • Final Script: Friday, December 6 (40%)

Total Value: 45% (with potential 1% bonus)

Objective

To demonstrate your mastery of screenwriting fundamentals through:

  1. Generating multiple story ideas
  2. Selecting and developing a promising concept
  3. Crafting a complete script that effectively uses WOARO structure, proper formatting, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Important Note: Treat this final script as if you're submitting it to a producer. This is your calling card—a representation of your best possible work. Just as you wouldn't send a first draft to a production company, your submission should be polished, professional, and properly formatted. Every element, from your scene descriptions to your dialogue, should demonstrate that you're ready to be taken seriously as a screenwriter.

Part 1: Story Pitches (30 minutes)

This is an exercise in creative freedom and rapid idea generation. Don't overthink it—just write! The goal is to get ideas flowing and see what emerges.

Pitch Requirements:

Either:

  • 6-10 pitches: These should be more developed (3-4 sentences each, similar to the longer examples below)
  • OR
  • 11-25 pitches: These can be quick, punchy one-liners

Quick Pitch Examples

Here are some examples of quick, punchy pitches:

  1. A man wants to go down a river but an angry beaver stands in his way.
  2. A couple sits in their backyard. The world is about to end in 5 minutes.
  3. A woman runs down the street. She's chasing after a bear that stole her car keys.

Developed Pitch Examples

If you're doing fewer pitches, aim for this level of development:

  1. A man heads downstairs to have his morning coffee. What he doesn't expect to find is his old college roommate sleeping on his couch. Soon he realizes that he's got to help a man he's barely spoken to in twenty years to put his life back together.
  2. A man is haunted by the memory of the death of his family. The only trouble is that the family he is with now says this family never really existed. He goes off to find the truth.
  3. A teenager remembers the events of the party the night before differently than the rest of her friends. Different people there, doing different things. She struggles to figure out why and suspects that something malevolent is going on.

The Process

  • Set a timer for 30 minutes
  • Write your pitches (choosing either quantity approach)
  • Let your imagination run wild
  • Don't self-censor or judge your ideas
  • Feel free to:
    • Mix up genres
    • Vary your characters
    • Try different story types
    • Write something silly or outrageous
    • Follow whatever interests you

Remember:

  • These are sketches, not masterpieces
  • "Bad" ideas often lead to good ones
  • You might find gold in what seems like a silly concept
  • The pitch you choose ISN'T final—your story can evolve while writing

A Note About AI

While you could use AI to generate pitches, AI-generated ideas often have a distinctive "feel" that stands out. This exercise is about tapping into YOUR creativity. It's just 30 minutes of putting your wildest ideas on paper. There are no truly bad pitches—but by the end, you'll likely find a few worth exploring.

Submission Requirements:

  1. Submit all your pitches (following either the 6-10 or 11-25 quantity requirement)
  2. Clean up basic spelling, grammar, and punctuation
  3. Indicate which pitch you're currently most drawn to
  4. File Format: PDF
  5. Submit to me via Discord

Pitch Grading (5% of final grade):

  • Basic mechanics (3%):
    • First 5 mistakes: no penalty
    • After 5 mistakes: -0.5% for each additional error
  • Quantity requirements (2%):
    • Either 6-10 developed pitches (3-4 sentences each)
    • OR 11-25 quick pitches (1-2 sentences each)
  • Clear indication of chosen pitch with brief explanation

Part 2: Final Script (40% of final grade)

Transform your chosen pitch into an 8-10 page script that demonstrates your mastery of the concepts we've covered this term. Remember: this isn't just a class assignment—it's a professional writing sample. Every page should reflect the care and attention to detail that the industry demands.

Script Requirements:

  • Length: 8-10 pages
  • Proper screenplay formatting
  • Clear WOARO structure
  • Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Submission Requirements:

  • File Format: PDF
  • Submit to me via Discord
  • Early submissions December 3
  • Final Deadline: December 6

Evaluation Rubric (40% total):

Mechanics (15%)

  • Grammar, spelling, and punctuation
  • First 5 mistakes: no penalty
  • After 5 mistakes: -0.5% from this 15% for each additional error
  • Example: 8 mistakes = -1.5% (3 mistakes over limit × 0.5%)

Formatting (15%)

  • Correct application of taught formatting elements
  • Appropriate use of white space for readability
  • Proper scene headings, character introductions, and dialogue layout
  • Vivid, concise action descriptions
  • Emphasis on showing rather than telling (use active, visual descriptions)
  • First 5 mistakes: no penalty
  • After 5 mistakes: -0.5% from this 15% for each additional error
  • Example: 8 mistakes = -1.5% (3 mistakes over limit × 0.5%)

Page Count (3%)

  • Full marks (3%): 8-10 pages
  • One page under/over: 2%
  • Two pages under/over: 1%
  • Three or more pages under/over: 0%

Story Structure (7%)

Marks will be lost for:

  • Unfinished story
  • Lack of clear WOARO structure, such as unclear character wants/goals or a missing conflict.
  • Dead scenes that don't move the story forward
  • Story reading as if written by AI

Remember:

  • Early submission (Dec 3) earns 1% bonus
  • Final deadline: December 6
  • Your story can evolve from your initial pitch
  • Focus on clear storytelling and character motivation
  • Every scene should move the story forward
  • This is your professional calling card—make it count

Combined Assignment Value: 45% of your final grade (5% pitch + 40% script + potential 1% early submission bonus)