UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
SCHOOL OF CINEMATIC ARTS
CTWR 412, Section 19166R
Mondays, 10-12:50 p.m.
SCA 342
Inst: Frank McAdams, M.F.A.
Fall 2011
Course Objective: This is a “fundamentals” class. Students will learn the nuts and bolts of
screenwriting: idea/premise, synopsis to outline, screenplay form, three act structure, writing
cinematically, character and plot (story). The student is being “prepped” for CTWR 414, leaving
the course with a short script and continuing outline…and a better understanding of the craft.
Requirements: Attendance is Mandatory. As Woody Allen is quoted, “Ninety percent of success
is showing up.” Absence/lateness will bring down your final grade. Writing Division policy will
be followed. Late assignments will likewise affect the final grade.
Classroom Note: We’re together for 2h50m per class. Cell phones off, no texting!
Mid-Term: Students will get an unrecorded grade/evaluation at mid-term. The final grade will
be recorded in the student’s record, GRS.
Required Texts: Egri, Lajos, The Art of Dramatic Writing, Touchstone, Chapters to be assigned.
Strunk & White, The Elements of Style, Longman, Chapters to be assigned.
Week 1 – Aug. 22, 2011 – Introductions, class and instructor. Course overview, assignments,
lectures and screenings, emphasizing the three act structure. Assignment: Loglines (Five story
ideas in one/two sentences. Screening: The House of Sand and Fog.
Week 2 – Aug. 29, 2011 – Lecture: How movies begin, opening scenes and sequences, setting up
the visual story; using metaphors. Assignment: Attitude Toward Film. Screening: RKO 281
Sept. 5, 2011 ---------------LABOR DAY ------------------ NO CLASS
Week 3 – Sept. 12, 2011 – Lecture: Developing character traits through movement; planting an
object for a later payoff. Assignment: Atmosphere Scene (Non-Dialogue). Screening: Precious
Images.
Week 4 – Sept. 19, 2011 – Lecture: The three-act structure; developing story ideas for
screenplays; being limited by your own imagination; the “bookend flashback.” Assignment:
Screenplay synopsis (3-5 pages in narrative, third person). Screening: Twelve O’clock High.
CTWR 412
2.
Week 5 – Sept. 26, 2011 – Lecture: Revealing character traits, positive and negative; achieving a
balanced character. Assignment: Character Bios. (Back story and traits, according to handout).
Screening: Thelma & Louise.
Week 6 – Oct. 3, 2011 – Lecture: Cinematic devices: Flashbacks and montages: respectively
slowing the narrative, compressing time. Assignment: Synopsis Rewrite, 6-12 pages). Screening:
Casablanca.
Week 7 – Oct. 10, 2011 -MID-TERM EVALS
Lecture: Cinematic Devices (cont’d); Balancing Act I with Act III, resolving the premise.
Assignment: 1st Draft, Screenplay pages, opening scenes. Screening: The Deer Hunter.
Week 8 – Oct. 17, 2011 – Lecture: Character traits. Positive and negative traits, actions
“speaking” louder. Assignment: Character profile, “The Meanest, Most Abusive Person…”
Week 9 – Oct. 24, 2011 – Lecture: The Rewrite Process, alternative endings. Assignment:
Rewriting script and outline pages. Screening: Chinatown/Fatal Attraction.
Week 10 – Oct. 31, 2011 – Lecture: Fundamentals of Comedy. Assignment: The Rewrite
Process. Screening: The Producers/When Harry Met Sally/Wedding Crashers.
Week 11 – Nov. 7, 2011 – Lecture: Elaborating on the three act structure equally with story,
character, subplots and supporting characters. Assignment: Rewriting the Outline. Screening:
Citizen Kane.
Week 12 – Nov. 14, 2011 – Final Project Assignments. Lecture: Converting the Outline (Acts II
& III) into Screenplay, Script and Outline. Screening: TBD.
Week 13 – Nov. 21, 2011 -- Rewriting process continues, script and outline. Tying up loose
ends. Screening: TBD.
Week 14 – Nov. 28, 2011 -SEMESTER EVALS
Final Assignments Due. Lecture: Converting the outline (Acts II & III) into Screenplay; script
and outline. Screening: TBD
Week 15: Dec. 5, 2011 – Lecture: The Business of “The Biz.” The path of a submitted script;
dealing with the industry, agents, producers and development executives.
FINAL ASSIGNMENTS – A) completed first act in standard screenplay form. B) Continuing
outline, narrative style – BOTH DUE NOV. 28, 2011!!
CTWR 412
3.
Grading Breakdown: 33% first assignments (to 1st draft); 33% screenplay pages; 34%
participation/improvement (emphasis: improvement)
Office Hours: Wednesdays before class or otherwise appointed.
SCA 360 Office Phone (213) 740-3303
Home Ph. (949) 493-5440
E-mail: rushact@cox.net
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register
with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. Letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP. DSP is located in STU 301, 8:30 am. – 5:00 p.m.,
M-F, (213) 740-0776
Writing Division Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to be on time and prepared for each class. Two unexcused absences will
result in your grade being lowered by one full point (ex. A to A-). A third unexcused absence
will result in your grade being lowered another full point (ex. B to B-). Your grade will be
lowered by one point for every absence after. Two late arrivals equates to one full absence.
In order for an absence to be excused the student must have approval from the professor and
provide documentation at the next attended class session.
Please note that if you are a Writing for Screen and Television major/minor you must receive a
grade of a C or better in order to receive degree credit. If you have any questions about the
minimum grade required for credit please check with your home department.
If you have an emergency and must miss class please contact the professor prior to class or
contact the Writing Division (213) 740-3303.
“My only regret in film school is that I didn’t write enough.”
-- George Lucas, USC Alum
“The best scripts have yet to be written.”
-- Anonymous