Syllabus for Fall 2025 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 5 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 2-3 pages long.

The final assignment is paired together. The first part will be a story pitch for the second part, which is a 3-5 page final script.

Finally, you will complete four review quizzes throughout the semester to reinforce your understanding of the key concepts covered in each block of lessons.

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

Weekly Lessons Overview

• Week 1: Basic Script Formatting
• Week 2: Special Screenplay Formatting Techniques
• Week 3: AI Tools for Writers
• Week 4: Descriptions
• Week 5: Rewriting
• Week 6: Story Structure & WOARO
• Week 7: Want, Obstacle, and Outcome
• Week 8: Inner Want and Inner Obstacle
• Week 9: Action and Responses
• Week 10: Larger Story Forms
• Week 11: Character and World-Building
• Week 12: Story Planning Methods
• Week 13: Navigating the Real World

Course Material Release Schedule

Course materials are released in blocks to give you time to absorb concepts before moving forward:

• Block 1 (Weeks 1-3 + Assignment 1): Released Week 1
  • Assignment 1 due Monday, Sep. 22
• Block 2 (Weeks 4-6 + Assignment 2): Released Week 4
  • Assignment 2 due Monday, Oct. 13
• Block 3 (Weeks 7-9 + Assignment 3): Released Week 7
  • Assignment 3 due Monday, Nov. 3
• Block 4 (Weeks 10-13 + Assignment 4 + Final Assignment): Released Week 10
  • Assignment 4 due Monday, Nov. 24
  • Final Assignment Pitch due Monday, Dec. 1
  • Final Assignment Script due Friday, Dec. 5

This structure gives you extended time to work with each set of concepts and complete assignments thoughtfully. Note that Fall Break (Nov. 10-16) provides additional review time during Block 4.

Class Textbook

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

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.

This textbook is not required but highly recommended.

Technical Requirements

To succeed in this class, you will need:

• A scriptwriting program
• Access to the internet
• UR Courses - this is required to access the course materials and submit assignments.

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:

Grading Criteria

• Assignments 1-4 (10% each): Graded on adherence to script formatting, grammar and spelling, descriptions and character intros, and creativity.
• Final Assignment (35%): Story pitch (5%) and final script (30%). Evaluated on overall storytelling, formatting, grammar and spelling, descriptions, and creativity.
• Block Review Quizzes (10%): Based on understanding and retention of lesson materials from each block of content.
• Portal Engagement (15%): Based on completion and engagement with weekly lesson materials.

Writing Assignments

Each assignment will have specific criteria that you must adhere to. You will receive the assignment details in advance.

Any work submitted late will 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.

Submit your work to me via UR Courses as a PDF. I will mark them on 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.

Block Review Quizzes

You will complete four block review quizzes throughout the semester. Each quiz is worth 2.5% of your final grade.

Quiz Schedule:

• Block 1 Review Quiz: Available Week 1
• Block 2 Review Quiz: Available Week 4
• Block 3 Review Quiz: Available Week 7
• Block 4 Review Quiz: Available Week 10

Each quiz will cover the lesson materials from its respective block and will be available through UR Courses. The quizzes are designed to reinforce your understanding of the key screenwriting concepts and techniques covered in each block.

Deadlines and Extensions

Assignments must be submitted on time. Failure to submit work 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.

Optional Student Meetings

While not required for your grade, you are welcome to meet with me one-on-one throughout the semester to discuss your progress and get additional support with your writing.

You can book meeting times at https://tidycal.com/3qn7yv3/30-minute-student-session. These meetings will take place on Zoom. If you can’t find a time that works, you can contact me, and we will make other arrangements to accommodate you.

After booking a meeting, you can submit 1-2 pages of your writing if you’d like us to review it during our time.

These optional meetings are an opportunity to:

• Discuss Your Progress: We can 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 can set specific goals for your next assignments and discuss strategies for achieving them.

You can book meetings at any point during the semester as needed. If you book a time, please ensure you attend, as being late or missing affects the scheduling for other students. Be respectful of the time.

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

Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence and art generation software on all writing assignments in this course. Students are expected to complete all other course work without substantial assistance from automated tools.

Important: AI can produce dull, lazy, and error-ridden writing drafts. You will be marked on your storytelling and creativity. If I suspect that your script shows minimal revision beyond initial AI generation—essentially a "one and done" approach without meaningful creative development—you will lose marks. AI should enhance your creative process, never define it. Your creativity, judgment, and unique perspective are irreplaceable.

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.

Documentation and Citation Requirements:
Students are responsible for documenting their process, including saving drafts of their work, and will need to be able to present that documentation should an academic integrity investigation arise.

All tools must be acknowledged at the end of the assignment, or communicated through UR Courses or university email, including grammar assistive technology, in a paragraph that outlines the tools used and what they were used for as well as a history of all prompts used to achieve the results. For guidance on citation styles, visit: https://www.cite.auckland.ac.nz/2.html.

Unauthorized or uncited use of generative AI is considered a breach of academic integrity.

Academic Announcements - Fall 2025

Centre for Student Accessibility

Student Accessibility upholds the University of Regina's commitment to a diverse and inclusive learning environment by providing a range of services. It supports students based on disability, religion, family status, and gender identity, as mandated under Saskatchewan Human Rights legislation and the Duty to Accommodate. 

Student Accessibility aims to encourage independence, self-advocacy, and equity for all students while maintaining privacy and confidentiality. Accommodation services and supports are provided from pre-entry through graduation. 

Students are encouraged to register with Student Accessibility Services early to ensure their registration is complete before the start of classes. 

Further information is available at the UR Accommodated website: https://www.uregina.ca/student/accessibility/. 

To contact the Centre for Student Accessibility, please email accessibility@uregina.ca or call (306) 337-2200. The office is located in thePaskwaw Tower, Room 119.

Student Responsibilities and Course Prerequisites

Students are responsible for understanding and following the academic regulations outlined in the University Calendar. The most important of these regulations and responsibilities are summarized under Student Code of Conduct and Right to Appeal. 

Your first responsibility is to ensure that you have the necessary prerequisite 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 in completing your degree program.

Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of students in their courses. Students who are persistently tardy or absent or who neglect academic work may be subject to disciplinary action and may be excluded from the final examination. For more information, see the Attendance Policy on page 4.

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 not formally withdrawn 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 15, 2025
• Last day to drop a course without a transcript record: September 15, 2025
• Last day to withdraw from a course and receive 50% refund: September 29, 2025
• Last day to withdraw from a course without a failing grade: November 17, 2025

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

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and respectful environment in which all members of the University community can live, work, teach, research, learn, and study, and otherwise participate in activities connected to the University in a collegial environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination and harassment.

All members of the University community also have the right to work, teach, research, study and otherwise participate in activities connected to the University in an environment that is free from any form of sexual violence, including sexual harassment, stalking, sexual assault, cyber sexual violence and harassment, and distribution of intimate images without consent.

University policies may be viewed here: 

• https://www.uregina.ca/policy/browse-policy/policy-GOV-100-015.htm
• https://www.uregina.ca/policy/browse-policy/policy-GOV-100-018.html