FEA 304
Writing the Short Script
FEA Department
CSULB
Fall 2015 Syllabus
3 Units
INSTRUCTOR:
Kevin O’Brien
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon 3:00-4:00p
Tue 2:30-3:30p
Wed 6:00-7:00p
UTC 103, FEA Conference Room
CONTACT INFO:
(310) 660-3593 x5702 office phone and voice mail
kevin.obrien@csulb.edu; www.professorobrien.com
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Wed: 7:00pm-9:45pm
TA 033
REQUIRED TEXT:
The Elements of Screenwriting by Irwin Blacker
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Prerequisites: FEA Major or minor status, FEA 303 or consent of instructor.
Scriptwriting with emphasis on adaptation and dramatic fiction.
Letter grade only (A-F)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This intermediate writing course provides students with a framework for developing dramatic
narrative stories for the short film format. Students will research and develop 3-4 original
ideas with emphasis placed on developing main theme, structure, characters, plot outline,
writing treatments and visuals, and writing the short script in proper format.
COURSE GOALS:
The goals of FEA 304 are threefold. First, to provide students with the basic skills and
knowledge necessary to develop a short film scripts. Second, to learn basic scriptwriting
dramaturgy for film and television. Third, and equally important, class time will be devoted
to investigating the story elements common to Hollywood style narrative films through the
analysis of existing short films and screenplays.
SOME COURSE OBJECTIVES:
* Write and verbally pitch a concise story concept (2 sentences) based on an
original story idea.
* Create an original story that might draw on myth or archetypes.
* Create a central character drawing on classic hero, anti-hero, and static hero
models.
* Develop an original story idea and plan its key dramatic events in keeping with
the classical Hollywood model of storytelling.
* Create an original story with clear theme and 3 act structure.
* Develop subplots that support the main storyline of an original story.
* Create realistic characters that either support or oppose the main character and
flesh out their relationships within the narrative proper.
* Apply the conventions of film and television genres to an original story.
* Use research skills to develop the accuracy or believability of the world of an
original story.
* Write the initial draft of several original short screen stories in both treatment and
screenplay format.
GRADING:
Your course grade will be determined by the following:
1. Scriptwriting Assignments 75% (minimum of 3)
2. Participation/Attendance 25%
Writing Assignments: Each student is expected to complete each writing assignment on
time. Writing assignments will be detailed in class and may be comprised of both individual
and group work. Prospective assignments could include a “336” short dialog script (from 336
is okay), a short treatment, a short 8-10 page “340” script. Attention will also be paid to
creating shorts that would be possibly produced in other FEA courses. Specific parameters
will be detail in the first couple of class meetings.
Student Conduct: Professionalism, punctuality turning in assignments, willingness to
participate, and overall conduct IS PART OF YOUR GRADE. NO CELL PHONES, iPODS,
etc. PERMITTED IN CLASSNO EXCEPTIONS. FAILURE TO TURN OF ELECTRONIC
DEVICES OR USING THEM IN CLASS OR LEAVING DURING CLASS TO USE THEM
WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND/OR BEING DROPPED FROM THE
CLASS. DO NOT GO ONLINE DURING CLASS. USE OF LAPTOP OR TABLETS FOR
NOTETAKING MUST BE APPROVED BY INSTRUCTOR; NO LAPTOP, TABLET OR
CELL PHONE USE DURING SCREENINGS.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS:
Professionalism: FEA 304 is designed for those students who wish to pursue film studies
beyond this course, either through additional classes or by working in the real world
industry. Thus, an important portion of the grade is determined not only by the projects and
exams, but on your professionalism and willingness to participate in the group activities and
assist your fellow students.
FEA 304 Fall 2015
O’Brien
page 2
Learning Resources: There are numerous resources on campus designed to ensure
student success at all levels. Students are encouraged to research and utilize these
services detailed in the most recent edition of the college catalog. Additionally, students with
disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to
contact Disabled Student Services as soon as possible to better ensure such
accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. More information can be found here:
http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/dss/
Attendance Policy: Absences are excused only for medial or emergency situations. It is the
student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to explain absences and determine how to
acquire missed course material. A written excuse must be given for a missed
exam/assignment and make-up work will be offered only for serious and compelling
reasons. Students must notify the instructor in advance about the expected date of a
predictable excused absence or about the accommodation of a disability.
Withdrawal Policy: Students are held responsible for completion of every course in which
they register or for withdrawing during the first two weeks of classes from courses, which
they do not intend to complete. Withdrawal after the first two weeks of instruction is
permissible only for serious and compelling reasons. Withdrawal during the last three
weeks of the course is not permitted except in extraordinary circumstances.
Academic Dishonesty Policy: Cheating or plagiarism (the use of another’s work without
proper citation) is strictly prohibited and may be grounds for a grade of F in the course,
regardless of grades on other assignments.
Course Content Advisory: Some class screenings may contain graphic or controversial
elements. If you find representations of sexual activity, violence, or other potentially
sensitive subjects objectionable, please notify the instructor, who will address your concerns
and/or provide an alternative assignment. The opinions expressed in course screenings to
not necessarily reflect those of the instructor or California State University, Long Beach.
***
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON ALL WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:
(Thanks Adam and Reed)
In order to learn what you absolutely need to learn in this course, your characters and their
arcs/journeys need to be believable. We accomplish this by creating real and believable
characters that general audiences can clearly relate to.
As a result, the following characters/situations WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Aliens
Serial Killers
Hit men/women
Superheroes
…or similar people/creatures who aren’t 3-dimensional, real characters.
Why? Because no one knows what a ‘real’ alien, or hit man might do, or what we can learn
from him/her/it, and thereby no way to evaluate your writing.
FEA 304 Fall 2015
O’Brien
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Similarly, certain situations are equally superficial or beyond our experience, so we have no
way to evaluate, and therefore can’t accept, scripts dealing with:
1. End of the world, post-apocalypse scenarios,
2. Mobster behavior of any sort
3. Abuse (unless it's YOUR experience with abuse)
4. Addiction (unless it's YOUR experience with addiction)
5. Or any other situation with which you are not personally familiar -- otherwise your script
will come off as superficial, confusing, pointless, gratuitous.
***
FEA 304 Fall 2015
O’Brien
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