Writing for Stage & Screen
Cimato
Fall 2012
play- noun- : a the stage representation of an action or story b : a dramatic
composition : drama
play·wright – noun- a person who writes plays (Etymology: play + obsolete
wright [maker]
dra·ma·tur·gy- noun- the art or technique of dramatic composition and
theatrical representation (Etymology: German Dramaturgie, from Greek
dramatourgia dramatic composition, from dramat, drama + -ourgia –urgy)
dra·ma·turge or dra·ma·turg - noun -a specialist in dramaturgy
"In short, the dramaturg is primarily responsible for the dramatic and literary, as
opposed to the theatrical aspects of the theatre." – Ellwood
Structure: This is a rigorous college preparatory class. We meet four days a week.
Each week will cycle through our four objectives. We will play with language as
we (1) explore (2) practice (3) experiment and (4) create. Each week we will
explore dramatic literature, will practice writing techniques to improve the
quality of our individual writing processes. We will experiment with our writing as
we hear one another’s work in an open judgment-free forum and we will create
new dramatic literature of our own.
There will be a quiz in the first ten minutes of every first period class.
If you are present and alert in classes, 1st Period Quizzes are Free Points!
Office Hours: It is expected that every student in this class will make office hour
appointments for one on one tutoring regardless of your academic standing in
the class. I hope to see each of you no fewer than twice before the end of our
time together. I make myself available so that you can compose the best
possible PBA projects possible. Take me up on the offer! I am available by
appointment, please sign up on the drama office door. I will ask periodically for
appointments in class, but it’s your responsibility to come see me.
Extra Credit is ALWAYS available. You can donate an extra ream of paper, go
see a live performance and write about it. Looking for more than extra credit?
Come to office hours. 
Missing Persons Make Me Cry:
Three Late Entrances = One Unexcused Absence.
Five Unexcused Absences = ZERO Participation Grade.
Writing for Stage & Screen
Cimato
Fall 2012
In other words, if you are consistently late or cut this class, you can expect to
receive a C at best and only if you work rivals Tony Kushner’s. It is your
responsibility to e-mail/Call/Txt me if you anticipate missing class for any reason
what so ever, so that you can make up what you miss. Your contacting me does
NOT excuse your absences. A call, e-mail, or contact from your parent or
guardian does. But remember, this class depends on all of you being present
physically and mentally and you are shortchanging someone else’s progress if
you deny us your contributions!
Suggested Not Required 
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NYC Public Library Card
Suggested – Not Required -1 Inch 3 Ring Binder with sections for “Class
Notes”, “In Class Writing” & “Research”
Folder attached to above mentioned 3 Ring Binder
Willingness to use a computer lab if you do not have access to one at
home
1 ream of paper
Open mind & Sense of humor
Style & Formatting: Please ensure that all drafts of your written work adhere to
the following basic expectations.
 For typed manuscripts please use 12 point “friendly fonts” only. Friendly
fonts include: Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, Century Gothic (my
personal favorite), Courier New and Microsoft Sans Serif.
 Please spare my aging eyes and do NOT print in any color other than
black and do not employ wiggly and “unfriendly fonts” such as Brush
Script, Mistral, Curlz, or the like.
 Double space. Not 1.5 space. Not 1.75 space. Double Space!
 Standard margins
 Pagination with your last name on the lower right hand corner of each
page. (For example “Cimato 1”)
 Your name, my name, the project title and the date it is turned in should
precede your work on the first page. Save a Tree. NO TITLE PAGES please.
 If you are handing in a second or third draft of something please PAPER or
BINDER CLIP previous drafts in a neat little bundle before you turn it in.
 All Final Drafts of papers must be submitted to me and to
www.turnitin.com. Details TBA.
Assessment
35% Portfolio (this will consist of 5 or more writing/creative assignments per
quarter, many of which are multiple drafts of an evolving project)
20% Homework, including Class Forum participation on Beacon Portal
Writing for Stage & Screen
10%
15%
10%
10%
Cimato
Fall 2012
Presentations
Punctuality, Professionalism & Participation
Quizzes
End of Semester Self Evaluation
Seven Simple Steps to Acing Senior English Cimato Style
1. Come to class on time, every time.
2. Study what inspires you.
3. Read the work aloud.
4. Trust me. This class is about PROCESS not product.
5. Chill out. This class is NOT about a competition.
6. Surprise your teacher, your classmates, and yourself.
7. Come visit. Ask questions.
Syllabus Overview of the Course
Prelude:
Summer Reading Essay
Unit 1:
Defining Drama and the Six Elements of Tragedy according to
Aristotle
Primary Text:The Poetics
Creative Project: Aristotle Dialogue
Unit 2:
Reading a Script vs. Seeing a Play/ Drama Deconstruction
Primary Text: Tony Kushner’s Angels in America: Millennium
Approaches
Creative Paper: Angel’s Review, from Aristotle’s point of view
Unit 3:
Generating Material for Play composition 1
Primary Text: Perfect 10, Elements of Playwriting, Playwright’s
Guidebook- all in the course pack
Creative Project: Overheard in New York Dialogue
Unit 4:
Anatomy of a Screen Play
Primary Text: American Beauty
Mid Term: “American” Comparative Essay
Unit 5:
Generating Material for Play composition 2
Primary Text: Perfect 10, Elements of Playwriting, Playwright’s
Guidebook- all in the course pack
Creative Project: Found Text Dialogue
Writing for Stage & Screen
Cimato
Fall 2012
Unit 8:
Drama Research – Choosing Playwright/Screenwriter and Play/
Screenplay for focused study
Primary Text: Individually selected materials
Assignments: Playwright/Screenwriter WebQuest & Playwright Tea
Party
Unit 9:
Generating Material for Play composition 3
Primary Text: Perfect 10, Reverse Transcription, Elements of
Playwriting, Playwright’s Guidebook- all in the course pack (con’t)
Creative Project: Mining for Gold Dialogue
Unit 10:
The Fool Proof Paper – Creating a Paper Writing Process focused on
one playwright and one play.
Primary Text: Your constantly evolving context paper!
Assignments: Context Paper Thesis, Outline, Graphic Organizers
Papers: Context Paper Drafts 1, 2, & 3
Unit 11:
10 Minute Play: An Example & Template & Opportunity
Primary Text: Reverse Transcription by Tony Kushner
Assignments: Drama Construction Worksheets, Plot Map, Character
Chart
Papers: 10 Minute Play Drafts 1, 2, & 3
Unit 12:
PBA Dress Rehearsal
Primary Text: Individual texts selected for each individual playwright
Presentation: Individual Play Lesson
Unit 13:
The Writer’s Lounge- Collaborative Writing Experiment
Primary Text: Re-Runs on Nick at Night or TV LAND
Creative Project: Story Board
Paper: Sitcom Episode Script
Unit 14:
Loose Ends
Primary Texts: ALL of your written work from the semester
Final Paper: Self Evaluation