Syllabus for Fall 2024 Film 210: Introduction to Screenwriting

JACK LIPNICK: We're only interested in one thing, Bart. Can you tell a story? Can you make us laugh? Can you make us cry? Can you make us want to break out in joyous song? Is that more than one thing? Okay!
— From Barton Fink by Joel and Ethan Coen

Course Structure

This course is designed to help you learn and practice the craft of screenwriting. It consists of 6 assignments due throughout the semester and 13 lessons to teach you about screenwriting format and storytelling.

Each week’s lesson is a building block in understanding scriptwriting and storytelling. The first four assignments will help you practice screenwriting and will be 3-5 pages long.

The final two assignments are paired together. The first part will be a story pitch for the second part, which is an 8-10 page final script.

Finally, you are expected to join me in one-on-one video calls via Discord five times throughout the semester to discuss your work. You will submit 1-2 pages of your writing, so that we can review it.

Weekly Lessons Overview

• Week 1 (Sept 4–10): Introduction to Screenwriting and Formatting
• Week 2 (Sept 11–17): WOARO and Story Structure
• Week 3 (Sept 18–24): Descriptions
  • Assignment 1 due Sept 24
• Week 4 (Sept 25–Oct 1): Want, Obstacles, Outcomes
• Week 5 (Oct 2–8): Action and Response
  • Assignment 2 due Oct 8
• Week 6 (Oct 9–22): Scene Dynamics / Reading Week (Oct. 14–20)
• Week 7 (Oct 23–29): Inner Want
  • Assignment 3 due Oct 29
• Week 8 (Oct 30–Nov 5): Inner Obstacle
• Week 9 (Nov 6–12): Theme
  • Assignment 4 due Nov 12
• Week 10 (Nov 13–19): Character and World Building
  • Final Script Pitch due Nov 19
• Week 11 (Nov 20–26): Rewriting
• Week 12 (Nov 27–Dec 3): Outlining
  • Early submission of Final Script by Dec 3 - 1% bonus on final mark
• Week 13 (Dec 4–6): Real World
  • Final Script due Dec 6

This is a process-oriented course. My belief is that the best path to understanding comes through practice.

Class Textbook

Trottier, David. The Screenwriter’s Bible. 7th ed. Beverly Hills: Sillman-James Press, 2014:
Amazon (7th ed.) | Chapters/Indigo (6th ed.)

This text is chosen for its extensive style guide on the formatting of scripts. Although many scripts (some of which may be discussed in class) will break these rules, consider this as a guideline for any formatting issues. If you have any questions about formatting, they will be addressed in this text. If you are serious about being a screenwriter, consider purchasing this book.

Technical Requirements

To succeed in this class, you will need:

• A scriptwriting program
• Access to the internet
• UR Courses - this is only required to access the website and Discord.
• The class website
• Discord

If you are struggling with any of this requirements, please contact me at David.Gane@uregina.ca.

Grading

Your overall grade throughout the semester will be broken down as follows:

Writing Assignments Grading Criteria

• Assignment 1-4 (10% each): Graded on adherence to script formatting, grammar and spelling, descriptions and character intros, and creativity.
• Participation (15%): Based on attendance of one-on-one video calls, punctuality, and engagement in discussions.
• Final Script Pitches (5%): Graded on clarity, originality, and feasibility of the pitches.
• Final Script (40%): Evaluated on overall storytelling, formatting, grammar and spelling, descriptions, and creativity.

Writing Assignments

*Any final scripts submitted by Dec 3 will add a 1% bonus to your final mark.

Each assignment will have specific criteria that you must adhere to. You will receive the assignment on the dates listed above.

Assignments must be submitted by 12 p.m. midnight (Saskatchewan time). Any work submitted late will lose 1% each day.

Submit your work to me via Discord as a PDF. I will download them from there.

Please be mindful of the PDF format when submitting. If you are having trouble, ask for help.

Adhere to the specific page lengths provided. Scripts that do not meet this requirement will be considered deficient and marked accordingly. Diligence, conciseness, and brevity are important skills.

One-on-One Meetings

At the beginning of the semester, you will be divided into groups. These groups will determine which weeks we will have mandatory meetings. (If they aren’t too full, you may switch to the other group.)

Once assigned, you can book your meeting time at https://tidycal.com/3qn7yv3/15-minute-student-session. These meetings will take place on Discord. If you can’t find a time that works, you can contact me, and we will make other arrangements to accommodate you.

These meetings are an opportunity to:

• Discuss Your Progress: We will review your assignments and any feedback received to ensure you understand how to improve.
• Address Questions: Any questions or concerns about the material, assignments, or script ideas can be addressed.
• Set Goals: We will set specific goals for your next assignments and discuss strategies for achieving them.

Although these meetings are mandatory, you can always book a meeting outside of your scheduled times.

If you book a time, please ensure you attend. Otherwise, you will lose that week's mark. Being late or missing your meeting time affects others. Be respectful.

Deadlines and Extensions

Assignments must be submitted on time. Failure to submit work or attend a scheduled meeting will be penalized.

If you have an unexpected emergency or are unable to meet the deadline, please contact me immediately to make arrangements.

If you have to submit work and are having trouble, contact me 24 hours before the deadline. Don’t leave this to the last minute. If you are struggling with the work and assignments, please reach out to me. I'm here to help you succeed.

Originality and Plagiarism

All work submitted for this class must be original to this class. Any work that has been submitted to and/or graded in other courses may not be used.

Any plagiarized work will receive an immediate 0%. The instructor will also contact the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance, which may affect your academic record.

Script Content

Scripts with strong language and mature themes are allowed if they are deemed artistic in nature or commonplace in the commercial market.

However, I expect students to exercise discretion. If you have concerns about your material, please discuss them with me. If necessary, restrictions on all assignments will be applied.

Use of Generative AI

You may use Generative AI in this course. However, it can produce dull, lazy, and error-ridden writing drafts.

You will be marked on your storytelling and creativity. If I suspect that your script was only written by AI and you do not revise it further, you will lose marks.

If I mistake your original work for AI-generated content, consider it a sign to strive harder to create more distinctive and original writing that stands out. Remember, in the professional world, those who produce work indistinguishable from AI-generated content risk being replaced by AI.

There is no need to reference sources—but if you're willing to share, I'd love to hear what tools you used and the prompts inputted to achieve your results.

While the use of Generative AI is allowed, it must be used responsibly. Unauthorized use of generative AI is considered a breach of academic integrity.

To clarify, my official policy within this class is:

• Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence and art generation software on the development and editing of assignments for this course.
• However, if you submit work written solely by AI that you haven’t revised—or that reads like AI—then it will impact your mark.

Academic Announcements - Fall 2024

Special Needs

Any student with a disability who may need accommodations should discuss these with the course instructor and contact the Coordinator of the Disability Resource Office at 306-585-4631.

Student Responsibilities and Course Prerequisites

Students are responsible for understanding and following the academic regulations outlined in the University Calendar. The most important regulations and responsibilities are summarized under the Student Code of Conduct and Right to Appeal. Your first responsibility is to ensure you have the necessary prerequisites for this class. If you take a class without the prerequisite (or without the permission of the department head), you will not receive credit for it at graduation time, and you may have difficulty completing your degree program.

Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of students in their courses. Students who are persistently tardy or absent or neglect academic work may be subject to disciplinary action and may be excluded from the final examination. Please note any specific requirements in attendance in this course.

Procedures and Dates for Dropping Courses

All changes to course registration must be made in writing to your Faculty of College. Students who are not attending but have yet to formally withdraw are still considered to be registered, are liable for fees, and are assigned a failing grade of NP for failing to complete the course. Non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal.

• Last day to drop a course and receive 100% refund September 17, 2024
• Last day to drop a course without a transcript record September 17, 2024
• Last day to withdraw from a course and receive 50% refund October 2, 2024
• Last day to withdraw from a course without a failing grade November 15, 2024

Academic Misconduct – Plagiarism and Cheating

All students should be aware of the definitions of plagiarism and cheating, as well as the potential punishments (which range from a grade of 0 on the test or essay in question to expulsion from the University). If you have any questions about the proper methods of citing sources, the extent to which sources (including internet resources) must be cited, or what might constitute plagiarism, please discuss your questions with your instructor!

Procedures for Requesting Deferrals of Final Exams or Term Work

All students should be aware of the correct procedures for requesting deferral of final examinations or term work. If you are unable to finish your final exam or term work for reasons- beyond your control (e.g., illness, accident, death in the family), please contact the Records Office of your Faculty or College as soon as possible for advice. If you experience any personal difficulties during the semester due to such factors, we encourage you to discuss your situation with your instructor, and/or your Associate or Assistant Dean as soon as possible.

University Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Policy

All members of the University community are entitled to a professional working and learning environment free of harassment and discrimination.

Have a great semester!