Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 College Catalog 
    
2021-2022 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

DAR 124 - Writing for Film and Television

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Examining dramatic writing in visual mediums and creating the story for the screen. Includes story origins and formats, story structure, elements of story, preproduction, writing for alternative media, working in the film and television industry, writing processes, and criticism.



Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Describe storytelling in visual mediums both historically and today.
  2. Identify story structure when viewing various visual mediums.    
  3. Describe the techniques of scriptwriting and the vocabulary for discussing story.   
  4. Work within a professional environment meeting specifications and deadlines.  

Outline:
  1. Story Origins and Formats  
    1. Visual storytelling  
    2. Screenplay history  
    3. Page layout
    4. Screenwriting software
  2. Story Structure
    1. Three act structure  
    2. Dramatic action
    3. Structural analysis  
  3. Element of Story  
    1. Plot  
    2. Character  
    3. Setting
    4. Theme
  4. Dramatic Traditions  
    1. Tragedy  
    2. Comedy
      1. Ancient genres of comedy
      2. Modern genres of comedy
    3. Experimental drama  
  5. Preproduction  
    1. Pitching  
    2. Synopses  
    3. Treatments  
    4. Script readers  
  6. Writing for Alternative Media  
    1. Writing for games  
    2. Writing drama for the web  
    3. Writing for comics
    4. Writing for radio/podcasts
  7. Working in the Film and Television Industry  
    1. The Writer’s Guild of America  
    2. Earnings in film vs. television  
    3. Collaborators, casts, and crew  
  8. Adaptation
    1. Adaptation as interpretation
    2. Authenticity
  9. Writing Processes
    1. Physical techniques
    2. Time management
    3. Finding and maintaining inspiration
  10. Criticism
    1. Giving constructive feedback
    2. Separating oneself from one’s work
    3. Being specific


Effective Term:
Full Academic Year 2019/2020