Previous Announcements - Film 210 Fall 2024

This will be where all the past announcements from the homepage will reside.

Week 1

Lesson 1 and Assignment 1 have been posted, along with video and audio for both, as well as a review of the syllabus. You can find them at the bottom of the homepage.
I'll be on Discord throughout this week, so if you have questions or concerns, please ask. I'm trying a new structure this semester, so I'm certain we'll find some unexpected bumps along the way.
Groups have been updated.
Please find a scriptwriting program for the class. Test it out and find one that works for you.

Week 2

It’s Week 2! Lesson 2 and 3 have been posted, along with video and audio for both. You can find them at the bottom of the homepage. Thank you to everyone who responded to the poll on Discord.
This is Group A’s week for meetings. Please follow the rules as listed in the syllabus and groups page. I’m excited to work with you.
Remember that you don’t have to send me finished work for our meetings. This is our chance to work through any problems you may be having. The sample I request is for me to see where you are at so that I can offer help.

Week 3

It’s Week 3!
- Lessons 1, 2, and 3 are posted.
- Assignment 1 is due Sept 24 by midnight (Saskatchewan time)
This is Group B’s week for meetings. Please follow the rules as listed in the syllabus and groups page. Looking forward to meeting you.
- Remember that you don’t have to send me finished work for our meetings. This is our chance to work through any problems you may be having. The sample I request is for me to see where you are at so that I can offer help.
I’ve updated the syllabus and the notes on the main page to reflect the updated assignment due dates.

Week 4

It’s Week 4 already?!
Week 4, 5, and 6 notes are available.
Assignment #2 is available.
It is Group A’s week for meetings
Remember to book your meetings with me. Missing your meeting will lose you marks on your final grade.

Week 5

It’s Week 5!
Assignment #2 is due Oct. 15
Lessons 4, 5, and 6 are available.
It is Group B’s week for meetings. Remember that they are a part of your mark.
After longer meetings last week, I've extended their duration to 20 minutes. Hopefully, that can accommodate everyone.
Search is now available in the top right corner of the website. Use it to find lessons. If you use it, let me know. If you want it to do more, also let me know.
Also, I’d like to introduce Jhazley Pinzon Higuera to everyone. She is the TA for Film 210 and is hard at work on her second-year MFA in film production.

Week 6

Reading Week is from Oct. 14–20.
It’s Group A’s week. Since there is a break in-between, you don’t have to meet during that time if you don’t want to, but I will be available.
Assignment 1 has been returned. If you didn’t receive yours, please let me know.
Assignment 2 is due in the middle of the Reading Week, so if you want to enjoy the break, you can always hand it in beforehand.
I’ll be available throughout the break to answer questions or do meetings.
Meetings are a part of your grade and an opportunity to discuss your writing and learn how to improve it.
I’ve expanded meetings (once again) to 30 minutes. This doesn’t mean we need to the up the whole time, but to give us room so we aren’t going into someone else’s time.
I’m always available to answer question on Discord. Or you can book an extra meeting if you want.

Week 7

Assignment 3 and Week 7 and 8 are available.
It’s Group B’s week. Remember meetings are a part of your grade and an opportunity to discuss your writing and learn how to improve it.
Assignment 2 should be returned at some point this week.
I’m always available to answer questions on Discord. Or you can book an extra meeting if you want.

Week 8

Assignment 3 and Week 7 and 8 are available.
It’s Group A’s week. Remember meetings are a part of your grade and an opportunity to discuss your writing and learn how to improve it.
I’m always available to answer question on Discord. Or you can book an extra meeting if you want.
As many of you know, I am in the midst of a move. Next Friday (Nov. 8) is the planned moving day. I hope not to disrupt the class too much, but I figured it was best to give everyone a heads-up.
To clarify the late policy discussed earlier on Discord: You lose 1 mark off your final grade per day late, but you can't lose more marks than what the assignment itself is worth. This means if an assignment is worth 15 marks, the maximum you can lose for that assignment is 15 marks—you won't go into negative marks.
However, if you feel that you’re running behind on the script and you want an extension, reach out and talk to me. Most likely, I can help and help you avoid it. And as always, if you have a concern—like I forgot to give you your extension—just let me know and we can discuss.
I'm adjusting the meeting attendance policy to be more flexible. Even if you've missed meetings until now, you have the opportunity to catch up and earn full participation credit. This is a change from our previous requirement of attending during your specifically assigned week. Here's how it will work:
- You still need to attend all 5 required meetings
- These meetings must be spread out - please allow 3-4 days between each meeting (attending all meetings in one week is not acceptable)
- Please arrive on time, as late attendance may affect your participation mark
- You're always welcome to attend additional meetings for extra writing support
- If you attend more than 5 meetings, I will count your best 5 attendance marks, which can help offset any late arrivals or missed meetings

Week 9

Assignment 4 and Week 9 and 10 are available.
Although it’s Group B’s week, I’ve eased the rules on meetings (see below), so make sure to book and work towards your required 5. They are part of your grade and an opportunity to discuss your writing and learn how to improve it.
Friday (Nov 8) is move day so I will be not available during that time. I intend to resume meetings Saturday.
The meeting attendance policy is now more flexible. Even if you've missed meetings until now, you have the opportunity to catch up and earn full participation credit.
- You still need to attend all 5 required meetings.
- I ask that you spread them out — allow at least 3-4 days between each meeting (attending all meetings in one week seems counter-productive).
- Please arrive on time, as late attendance may affect your participation mark.
- If you attend more than 5 meetings, I will count your best 5 attendance marks, which can help offset any late arrivals or missed meetings.

Week 10

We’re almost to the end.
Assignment 4 is due next week.
My move is almost finished, and I have wifi back, so no more meetings in echoey empty houses!
Remember, you need all five (5) meetings to get full marks. And please arrive on time. You’re taking a spot that others may have wanted and I am making sure to attend.

Week 11

Hi everyone! Week 11!
I've posted some new content for you: Week 11 on rewriting, Week 12 on outlining, and Week 13 on real-world applications!
The final assignment is now available too—take a look when you get a chance.
Remember, I'm still holding meetings and would love to help you with your final assignment! Please feel free to sign up.
Just a friendly reminder that course evaluations will be open from Nov. 22 to Dec 6. Your feedback is really important to me! Here's the link: Course/Instructor Evaluation
Take care of yourself as we head into these final weeks!
One final note: While I will answer specific questions about your final script, I won’t be reading and marking your drafts beforehand. Refer to your notes and previous assignments, and ask questions, but this final assignment is your opportunity to show me what you’ve learned.

Week 13

Hello folks. Sorry, the day got away from me.
Week 12. Scripts are due Friday, Dec 6. Early submission is Tuesday, Dec 3, and you will receive a 1% bonus mark.
Remember, an early script and 1% means nothing if you haven’t given the script many rewrites, cleanups, and corrections. Most marks lost will be due to formatting and mechanics.
Don’t wait for your script pitch mark. Start writing today—or yesterday! I don’t need to approve your idea.
However, remember that 8-10 pages isn’t much more than you had before. Don’t try to write too big of a story. Keep your story small, tight, and focused.
If your story takes a year, make it a month. If it is a month, make it a week. If it is a week, make it a day. If it is a day, make it an hour. Keep it small, tight, and focused!
With the completion of Assignment 4, our TA, Jhazley, is finished. She will still be reading your pitches and assignments, but I will be doing all the marking. Thank you so much, Jhazley, for all your help this semester!
Book all the meetings you need and ask all the questions you want from me. I can’t mark up your early scripts, but I will help you as much as possible!
Another reminder that course evaluations will be open from Nov. 22 to Dec 6. Your feedback is really important to me! Here's the link: Course/Instructor Evaluation
That’s it for now….