Course Syllabus

ENGW 4205 (Online) 3 credit Screenwriting Course Syllabus

[+ Directed Study ENGW 3993 1 credit]

Instructor: Miriam Queensen mqueense@umn.edu

Completely Remote/Online Synchronous Class, Thursdays 6:20 – 8:50 pm via Zoom (2.5 hours)

Zoom will be available via our Canvas page. Class will include lecture, small and large group discussion, film clips and in-class writing exercises (individual and pairs) plus take-home writing assignments, readings and writing screenplay scenes toward your final project.

Each week’s work includes writing exercises and readings averaging 4 hours per week. Handouts will be accessible on class Canvas page under each week’s Module. Please check Assignments on the Canvas page each week to confirm work due and submit work.

Virtual Office Hours: 4-6:00 pm Thursday (or by appt.) via phone or Skype/Zoom.

Course goals and objectives:

You will learn basic formatting, structure and style for standard, Hollywood feature film screenplays. This includes learning about screenwriting software, industry terminology, classic 3-act structure and techniques for vivid storytelling and dialogue within required structure and format. Creativity is encouraged – within screenwriting rules.

Attendance/participation = 50% of grade!

You must participate actively in discussions and exercises in real time on Zoom, on camera as much as possible. Contact me if you have difficulty participating on a given night. Handouts and recordings of classes will be available afterward, but cannot replace in-class assignments, discussions and interactive exercises.

Quizzes/assignments = 20%, Final Project = 30%

There will be 3 short, timed quizzes on Canvas (open book/open note) for ½ hour each; two will cover the texts and one will be on screenwriting formatting/terminology. Mostly fill-in-the-blank/short answer format.

Missed/late work: If you have missed or late work due to technical or any other reason, please contact me via email as soon as possible. Late work or a missed quiz can be made up by the following week if you contact me before the due date/time.

The Final Project: 30 pages of your original screenplay in screenwriting format, graded on: 1) Correct screenwriting format; 2) Screenwriting style (present tense, concise language, balance of dialogue and description); 3) Creative ideas, vivid characters, clarity of story, dramatic conflict; 4) Clear design for overall plot. Proofread! Basic errors will lower your grade!

Texts:

  • “The Writer’s Journey” by Christopher Vogler
  • “How to Write a Selling Screenplay” by Christopher Keane
  • Download Celtx, Trelby, Writer Duet or other free screenwriting software or template webfilmschool.com/free-screenwriting-programs-the-7-best-free-writers-software/

If taking ENGW 5993 Directed Study: You will write additional 10 pages for final project + read additional screenplay before end of term. Expect 1 additional office hour visit to discuss.

Technology Requirements to access Canvas and Zoom for the course:

  • U of M internet ID (your U of M email address)
  • Web browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome
  • A tablet, laptop or desktop with webcam
  • Reliable high-speed internet access

Always back up your work and make sure to check deadlines on Canvas Assignments page.

Appropriate online conduct
We do not come to this course with identical backgrounds and experiences. Respectful interactions are critical to successful professional conduct and this course is no exception. Please consider your tone and language, especially when communicating in text format, as the lack of other cues can lead to misinterpretation. Like other work in the course, all student-to-student communication is governed by the Student Conduct Code.

ENGW 4205 Screenwriting Assignments and Topics

Week 1. September 9

  • Intro to screenplay format, screenwriting guidelines, glossary of terms.
  • Character bios, dossier.
  • How to introduce character: narrative summary, action, dialogue techniques.
  • Screenwriting handouts, websites.

Due week 2:

  • Read screenplay from provided list. See websites to download scripts on Module. Be prepared to tell what you read, thoughts on style, etc. Just watching movie isn’t OK. I will ask re format, style, etc. on the page. Note where you found script (URL).
  • Write bio of main character (1 page).

Week 2. September 16

  • Discussion of screenplays read.
  • Intro to screenwriting premise, logline exercise in Zoom breakout rooms.
  • Dialogue: Good Will Hunting, Little Miss Sunshine script and video clips.
  • Act I necessary ingredients.
  • Sign up for workshopping to start September 30.

Due week 3:

  • Hidden Agendas exercise in pairs via Collaborations
  • Write scene introducing main character: 1-2 pages.
  • Read 1st 5 chapters of “How to Write a Selling Screenplay” by Keane.

Week 3. September 23

  • Discuss 1st chapters of Keane.
  • Dialogue editing exercise in Zoom Breakout rooms. Dialogue tips.
  • Description techniques. Examples from films.
  • Editing narrative description. Descriptive rewriting exercise in Breakout rooms.

Due week 4:

  • Write scene between 2 characters with hidden agendas (2-3 pp).
  • Read Chapters 6-11 of Keane.

Week 4. September 30

  • Workshopping protocol. Workshop students 1-3 first 5 pages.
  • Dialogue techniques: voiceover, phone calls, intercutting, parentheticals.
  • Character exercise: write letter/journal from their point of view.
  • Discussion and review of Keane’s How to Write a Selling Screenplay for quiz next week.

Due week 5:

  • Read/watch Truman Show; what is inciting incident?
  • Have a thesaurus handy for next class (book if possible).
  • Review Keane chs. 1-11 for quiz on Canvas Quizzes.

Week 5. October 7

  • QUIZ on Christopher Keane – online, open book/open note. Timed.
  • Workshop students 4-6.
  • Review Truman Show – introduce plot point exercise.
  • Active verbs vs. boring verbs exercise using thesaurus (Zoom Breakout rooms).

Due week 6:

  • Finish Plot Point worksheet, upload on assignments.
  • Get actual or virtual index cards for an exercise next week.
  • Read Book 1 of The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler.

Week 6. October 14

  • Workshop students 7-9.
  • Discuss plot point worksheet.
  • Discussion of Book 1 Writer’s Journey.
  • Vicki King’s index card method for outlining.

Due week 7:

  • Read Book 2 and Epilogue of The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler.
  • Fill out Vicki King index cards as much as possible – Submit doc or picture of cards.

Week 7. October 21

  • Workshop students 10-12.
  • Discuss Hero’s Journey plot model/Vogler’s “The Writer’s Journey.”
  • Review Vicki King cards.
  • Story Problems, Conflict, Dilemmas worksheet.

Due week 8:

  • REVIEW entire Christopher Vogler Book for Quiz on Canvas.

Week 8. October 28

Quiz on Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey.

  • Workshop students 13-15.
  • Character exercise: “in their element” visual scene.
  • How to reveal exposition via conflict + Exercise in Zoom breakout rooms.
  • Act II Solutions.

Due week 9:

  • Review Syd Field 3-Act paradigm handout, think about your overall plot.

Week 9. November 4

  • Workshop students 16-18.
  • Syd Field Circle of Being article and worksheet.
  • Review screenwriting terminology for next week’s quiz.
  • Character arc discussion/handout.

Due week 10:

  • Syd Field worksheet (or character in their element exercise) to turn in.
  • Review formatting terminology for next week’s quiz

Week 10. November 11

Quiz on formatting terminology on Canvas Quizzes (open book/open note – timed).

  • Workshop students 19-20.
  • Discussion of subtext and subtext exercise in Zoom Breakout rooms (or Collaborations).
  • How to figure out theme, thematic statement and relation to genre.

*Due next week:

  • Write draft of 1st 15 pages of your screenplay to turn in next week.

Week 11. November 18

*DUE: 1st 15 pages of your screenplay (draft).

  • Genre categories, conventions (Robert McKee, Linda Seger, Blake Snyder).
  • Meaningful Action, Elizabeth George’s Talking Heads Avoidance Devices.
  • Exercise on Meaningful Action via Zoom Breakout rooms
  • Writing scenes without dialogue – examples.

Due week 12:

  • Identify your genre and find 2-3 films similar to yours.
  • Watch/read those films and prepare to discuss.
  • If taking ENGW 5993 read an additional screenplay from your genre.
  • Watch a movie without sound.

*NO CLASS November 25 - Thanksgiving*

Week 12. December 2

  • First 15 Pages feedback provided ahead; questions on feedback.
  • Discussion of genre/films watched.
  • Introduction to 34 Questions worksheet.
  • How to write one-page synopsis (structure and use).
  • Logline review.

Due week 13:

  • Finish 34 Questions worksheet and have available discuss.
  • Complete one-page synopsis/logline.
  • Write/bring one-sentence thematic statement and logline for your script.

Week 13. December 9 – LAST CLASS

  • Discussion of 34 Questions, one-page synopses, thematic statements, loglines.
  • Bring any questions you have about final projects.
  • Connecting the beginning with the end.
  • Resources for screenwriting; Marketing.

December 16. FINAL PAPERS DUE

Thur. December 16 6:20 pm final project must be submitted in Canvas as PDF (or Final Draft if you have).

  • Act I (1st 20 pp. min.) in screenwriting format + 10 other pages of scene(s) from anywhere else in script (indicate where from).
  • Total 30 pages! (40 if doing Directed Study) + logline + 1-page synopsis. See Guidelines for final project.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Academic integrity
Students are expected to complete coursework with fairness and honesty. Scholastic dishonesty is a violation of the Student Conduct Code and may result in disciplinary action and/or a penalty up to and including an “F” or “N” for the entire course. Per Section F of the U of M policy on instructor responsibilities, I am required to report all instances of scholastic dishonesty, even if inadvertent, to the Office for Community Standards.

Sexual misconduct
Sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence) includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such behavior is prohibited in the University setting.
Per the U of M policy on sexual harassment, I am required to share information that I learn about possible sexual misconduct with the campus Title IX office. Within the requirements of my job, I will be as responsive as possible to your requests for confidentiality and support. You can also, or alternately, choose to talk with a confidential resource that will not share information that they learn about sexual misconduct. Confidential resources include The Aurora Center, Boynton Mental Health, and Student Counseling Services.

Equal access and opportunity
Per the U of M policy on equity, diversity, equal opportunity and affirmative action, the University will provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs and facilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Disability accommodations
If you have, or think you have, a disability in any area such as mental health, attention, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to arrange a confidential discussion regarding equitable access and reasonable accommodations.

  • If you are registered with the DRC and have a disability accommodation letter dated for this semester or this year, please contact Professor Klink early in the semester to review how the accommodations will be applied in this course.
  • If you are registered with the DRC and have questions or concerns about your accommodations, please contact your access consultant/disability specialist.

Mental health
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. University of Minnesota services are available to assist you. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the Student Mental Health Website.