DEPARTMENT
OF THEATRE ARTS
DR/RTVF 129 (3 units)
ADVANCED SCRIPTWRITING
SYLLABUS - Spring 2000
FACULTY
Dr. David Kahn
Theatre Arts
HGH 110;
924-4540
dkahn@email.sjsu.edu
FAX 924-4543
Office Hours:
F 10:30-2:30
RESOURCES
Deemers Screenwriters and Playwrights
Movie Bytes
Screenwriting contests and markets
Done Deal
Find out what scripts are being bought by the industry
The Hollywood Creative Directory
Up-to-date, comprehensive info on executives in the film
and television industry
CLASS MEETING TIME AND LOCATION -- MW 1:30-2:45; HGH 217
ELIGIBILITY
Students must have completed DR 128 or RTVF 175 or another upper-division writing class and consent of instructor.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Mamet, Writing in Restaurants
Tarantino, Pulp Fiction
selected articles, videos, and theatre performances
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course will operate as an exploratory writing workshop during which participants will develop and complete their own script writing project for stage, film, video, radio, or multimedia. The first few weeks will consist of a series of exercises designed to stimulate effective and imaginative dramatic writing. Students will “pitch” project proposals and prepare contracts specifying treatment, format, and length of project. Much of the remaining course time will be devoted to reading of, and response to, project writing.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Regular attendance at class meetings. Positive participation in discussion and scene reading. (NOTE: More than two unexcused absences will lower your grade.)
- Reading and writing exercises both in and out of class. These exercises will be read and discussed in class. Writing done outside of class must be typed according to the formats presented in class.
- Pitch project proposals. Define project contract. Read and respond to draft material. Produce final draft according to contract.
- Competence and care in writing and completion of other course assignments.
- Timely completion of all assignments. (Late work will not be accepted and can not be made up.)
EVALUATION ITEMS
Class attendance and active participation 30% Project “pitches” and contracts 10% Draft materials for reading and response 30% Completed Project 30%
SCHEDULE TO FOLLOW