Course
Objective:
To explore
the role of the screenwriter in the film-making
process, from original story idea (or adaptation of source material) to
the shooting script and finished film. You will learn all the
elements of screenwriting and the screenplay. You will read and
analyze scripts, as well as watch and analyze films, and portions of
films, relevant to the discussions.
Required Reading:
The book
for this class is The
Third Act: Writing
a Great Ending
to Your Screenplay. I will assign chapters from the book
as we
proceed. You will also read several screenplays (on reserve at
the Media Center) throughout the semester.
Attendance:
I expect
students to attend every class and to be on time.
If you miss a class, it will be your responsibility to contact another
student in the class to obtain notes and assignments. Your
attendance will be one of the factors in determining your final
grade. I pay close attention to who does and does not attend
Participation:
Contributing
to class discussions is an important part of the
learning process. You are expected to participate and your
participation will be a factor in computing your final grade.
Assignments & Grading:
There will
be two exams, each of which is worth 20% of your
final grade. You will also be required to select and analyze a
film by reading the screenplay and watching the finished film.
This writing project will be in lieu of your final exam and will count
as 40% of your grade. Class participation and attendance will
make up the remaining 20% of your final grade.
Office Hours:
You may see
me after class to schedule a time and place to
meet. You may also e-mail me at
drew.yanno@bc.edu. You can and should check my
BC web site (www2.bc.edu/~yanno) to see the latest news and important
dates regarding this course.
Subjects to be Covered:
1. The
Current Campfire: Film as a Storytelling Device
- The history of storytelling
- Plays vs. novels vs. film
- What is a “story”?
- The “idea” vs. “story” vs. “screenplay”
2. The Screen
Story
- What is it?
- The logline
- The essence of a screen story
- Conflict (and why we love it)
- Form, format and formula
3. The
Structure of a Screenplay
- Back to story
- Aristotle (and what he had in common with Superbad)
- The three act screenplay
- The scene
- Plot points
4. The First
Act
- Establish, introduce and hook
- The inciting incident
- The first act plot point
- Examples
5. The Second
Act
- Rising conflict and overcoming obstacles
- The second act plot point
- Examples
6. The Third
Act
- The “final battle”
- The outcome of the final battle
- The denouement
- Happy vs. hopeful endings
- Examples
7. Character
- Plot vs. Character
- Character vs. Characteristics
- Actions speak louder than words
- The main character (our hero!)
- Other characters and character types
8. Dialogue
- The functions of dialogue
- Voiceover
- Examples
9. The
Kitchen Sink
- Back story & exposition
- Subplots
- Setup and payoff
- Flashbacks
- Theme
- Examples
10. Breaking
the Rules
- How screenwriters break them and why
- Examples
11. Genre
- “What is this movie anyway?”
- Examples
12. A
Script-to-Screen Analysis
- to be determined
Other Recommended Reading:
The Writer’s Journey by
Christopher Vogler
Adventures in the Screen Trade by
William Goldman
The New Screenwriter Looks at the New Screenwriter by William Froug
