Texts

Week 1:  January 10

• Introduction to Course:  The Basic Elements of Dramatic Writing and Classical Hollywood Cinema

• Writing/Workshop:  Jeffrey Kallenberg and Jeff Hendricks
• Class members should write a one-page scene of dialogue (bring copies to class for as many characters as you have, plus copies for Dr. Hendricks and Mr. Kallenberg)
  

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Week 2:  January 17

• Writing/Workshop:  
  
• 30 second radio or television commerical  
  

• Readings:
• Trottier,  The Screenwriter's Bible
• Book Three: Correct Format for Screenplays and TV Scripts
• format for radio and tv ads
• sample script for 30 second tv commercial
• The Elements of Good Story-Telling  --  Kimberly Appelcline
• "Inducing Reality -- The Holy Grail of Storytelling" --  Ken "frobber" Ramsley  (written for computer game writers,  but a good summary of storytelling principles)
• Part 1 -- Seven Elements of Good Storytelling
• Part 2  -- The Structure of the Story
• Part 3  --  The Temperature of the Story

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Week 3:  January 24

• Writing/Workshop:  
  
• 3 - 5 page scene   --  group 1

• Readings:
• format for stage plays
• "Inducing Reality -- The Holy Grail of Storytelling" --  Ken "frobber" Ramsley
• Part 4  --  Designing the Story
• Part 5  --  Selecting the Details
• Part 6  --  Re-Writing:  What We Really Do
• Part 7  --  Can a Great Story Be Told in a Game?

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Week 4:  January 31

• Writing/Workshop: 
  
• 3 - 5 page scene --  group 2
  

• Readings:
• Trottier,  The Screenwriter's Bible
• Book One:  How to Write a Screenplay--A Primer

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Week 5:  February 7

• Writing/Workshop: 
  
• 3 - 5 page scene --  group 3

• Readings:
• Trottier, The Screenwriter's Bible
• Book Two:  7 Steps to a Stunning Script

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Week 6:  February 14

• Writing/Workshop:  
  
• 3 - 5 page scene --  group 4

• Reading:
• Writing Better Log Lines and Treatments
• A Few Thoughts on Treatments  --  Hollywood Scriptwriter   (Lou Grantt)
• Film Treatment and Marketing plan for The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

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Week 7:  February 21

• Writing/Workshop:  
  
• 3 - 5 page scene --  group 5

• One page treatment  of your final project   

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Week 8:  February 28

• *** No Class --  Mardi Gras Break  ***

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Week 9:  March 7

• Writing/Workshop:  
  
• 
  

• Reading:
  
• "Structure and Character"  (Part 1)  --  Robert McKee
• "Structure and Character"  (Part II)   --  Robert McKee
  

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Week 10:  March 14

• Writing/Workshop: 
  

• Reading:
  
• Trottier,  The Screenwriter's Bible
• Book Four:  Writing Your Breakthrough Spec Script--A Script Consultant's View
• "Quirky or Plain Crazy - Where Do I Draw the Line for My Character?"  --  Dr. Howard Gluss

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Week 11:  March 21

• Writing/Workshop:
• 
  

• Reading: 
  

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Week 12:  March 28

• Writing/Workshop: 
  
• 
  

• Reading: 

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Week 13:  April 4

• Writing/Workshop: 
  
• 
  

• Reading:  

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Week 14:  April 11

• Writing/Workshop: 
  
• 
  

• Reading:

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Week 15:  April 18

• Writing/Workshop:  
• 
  

• Reading:  Trottier,  The Screenwriter's Bible
• Book Five:  How to Sell Your Script--A Marketing Plan

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Week 16:  April 25

• Final Project:   24-26 page tv/film script or stage play due Friday, April 28  in room 307 by 2:00  pm