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Lecture 1a: Taking an Online Course & Course Introduction. Professor Christopher Bradley. Our Textbook. Christopher Bradley. Instructor, Film and Media Studies, Arizona State University I Teach Courses in Screenwriting and Story Analysis
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Lecture 1a:Taking an Online Course & Course Introduction Professor Christopher Bradley Our Textbook
Christopher Bradley • Instructor, Film and Media Studies, Arizona State University • I Teach Courses in Screenwriting and Story Analysis • MFA in Screenwriting (UCLA), BFA in Theatre (Texas Christian University) • I have also been a professional actor for many years • I am currently at work on both a short film and a screenplay
In This Lesson • What kind of distance learning course is this? • How can you succeed? • Assignments • What do we study in this course? The Exorcist (1973) Donnie Darko (2001)
What Kind of Distance Learning Course Is This? Lesson 1a: Part I
For Starters… • It’s Not an Automated Course • It’s Not a Self-Paced Course • This Course Emphasizes Interactivity • Participation is Fundamental to the Success of Our Course – Discussion Board
The Advantages of this Course • Flexibility… Not Limited by Space • Study Materials Available 24/7 • Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint) • Interactive discussion board • Structured Like a Traditional Course • Complements Multiple Learning Styles • Lots of Interactivity
The Disadvantages • Students that learn best through face-to-face discussion can struggle in this environment. • Ways to compensate, such as arranging real-time meetings with classmates and your professor • Students that are not well organized tend to not do well in this environment. • Meet your deadlines!
How to Succeed (get an “A”) in This Course Lesson 1a: Part II
Course Organization • Lessons Contain: • Lectures • Interactivity (Discussion Board) 9
Guidelines for the Class • Give notes that are respectful, sensitive and that inspire! • Turn your weekly pages in on time, every time. • Provide your notes for your partner on time, every time. • Turn in your completed screenplay, having formed and shaped it based on the feedback you’ve received.
Assignments Lesson 1a: Part III
Listen to the Lectures • Yes, you’ve taken a screenwriting course before, but mastery is about knowing and re-knowing the fundamentals! • The lectures will be short and will make your work for the week easier!
Participation • Participation (including feedback) is 50% of Your Final Grade • Your Participation Grade is Based On: • Keeping Up with Discussion Board Posts • Quality of Posts and Feedback • Being on time with your posts You will do well in this class if you participate on time, with quality posts and feedback!
Participation (Cont.) • What you post and the feedback you give will: • Demonstrate proper screenwriting format • Demonstrate an understanding of quality story, structure and character • Demonstrate an ability to recognize these in the writing of your fellow students
Assignments • Your final screenplay will count as the other 50% of your grade. • It will be very difficult for you to do well if you get behind! Finish early!
Assignments (continued) • You will create a logline (where you tell the entirety of your story in 3-4 sentences). • You will write a 2 page (single-spaced) treatment. Keep it simple and concise! • You will write a screenplay of 90-110 pages, 15 pages at a time, while giving feedback to your fellow students.
What Do We Study in This Class? What’s Up, Doc? (1972) directed by Peter Bogdanovich Lesson1a: Part IV
Three Aspects of Every Great Screenplay • Strong Story • Solid Structure (These two are inextricable – you can’t have one without the other!) • Believable, multi-dimensional characters 18
Screenplay Structure • Opening Hook • Ordinary World • Inciting Incident • New World/New Rules • Mid-Point • Big Pit • Climax • Resolution (Not all films have all aspects, in this order, but these are the basics of most film stories.) 19
Be Aware of Film Content • Genre • Representation • Race and Ethnicity • Class • Gender and Sexuality • All films are created by people and are therefore historical, subjective & political. 20
Other Course Aspects • Theme • Exposition • Composition • Re-Writing Citizen Kane (1941) Directed by Orson Welles
Seven Things to Remember • Go through the Website, or Virtual Classroom, with Care; Know it Well • Study the Syllabus Well • Get to Know Your Classmates • Keep up with all Lesson Tasks • Turn Assignments in on Time, Written at a College Level • Discuss with Rigor & Respect • Enjoy yourself! It’s film, after all!
End of Lecture 1a Please continue to Lecture 1b, Your Logline