Chabot College
February 1996
Course Outline for Theater Arts 16
INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING FOR FILM, TELEVISION AND THEATER
Catalog Description:
16 - Introduction to Playwriting for Film, Television and Theater
May be repeated 1 time
3 units
Introduction to basic principles and procedures of playwriting. Writing for film, television and theater
with an analysis of the requirements for each medium. Development of original scripts towards the
completion of a one-act play. See Film 16. 3 hours. Strongly recommended: eligibility for English 1A
or 52A.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should:
1. be able to appreciate and understand playwriting as an art form;
2. be able to comprehend the basic structure of the play form through an analysis of selected play
scripts (i.e., film scripts, TV scripts);
3. be able to demonstrate understanding of the play form by writing an adaptation of a short story
into a film, TV or stage script;
4. be able to submit a one-act play or first act of a longer play, in either film, TV or stage script form;
5. be able to apply the principles of evaluation developed throughout the course.
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Introduction to the Course—an overview
What is a successful play? Three views: film, TV, theater
Finding a dramatic material
Developing a structure
Analyzing the fundamental techniques and language of each medium—film, TV, and theater
Adapting a short story to a chosen medium of expression (film, TV or stage)
Deciding on a "treatment"
How to build a scenario
How to select and differentiate the characters
Dialogue—the language of words
Technical aspects of writing for the theater (sets and props, lights and sound, costumes, etc.)
Technical aspects of writing for film and TV (attention to the "image"; shots, montage,
composition, etc.)
Importance of theme; what is your script saying?
Exercises in writing different styles
Principles of evaluating a play (film, TV and stage)
Completing the one-act play for film, TV or stage
What to do after the play is finished: resources open to student playwrights
Summary of the course
Methods of Presentation:
1. Informal mini-lectures, class discussions, student participation in short creative exercises
2. Students will be expected to assume three roles—as writers, readers and observers.
3. Campus television, student video recorders and the Little Theater will be utilized wherever
possible.
Chabot College
Course Outline for Theater Arts 16, Page 2
February 1996
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
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Participation in class
Short creative exercises and short scenes written in class
An adaptation from a short story to either a film, TV or theater script
Completion of a one-act play or the first act of a longer play in film, TV or stage script form
Textbook(s) Typical:
How to Write a Play; Raymond Hull; Writer's Digest Books
Screenplay—The Foundations of Screen Writing; Syd Field; Dell Publishing
Writing Short Scripts; William Phillips; Syracuse University Press
Special Student Materials:
None
KC:kh Theater Arts 16
Revised: 10/30/96