Course Title: Create a drama series or serial
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
Course Code: COMM7320
Course Title: Create a drama series or serial
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Course Contact : Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815
Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: John Reeves
Phone: 03 9925 4895
Email: john.reeves@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 140
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
Required Prior Study
Enrolment into this course at RMIT this year requires the completion of Assess TV scripts and Write an episode of a TV series.
Course Description
This course aims to develop and enhance the practical skills you need in order to work as a freelance writer on series and serial television, and assist you in the development of a concept, a series bible and a pilot script of your own to take to the marketplace.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ASWSER607A Create a drama series or serial |
Element: |
1. Analyse current market |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Market demographics are delineated |
Element: |
2. Produce series bible |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Audience for proposed series or serial is identified |
Element: |
3. Create pilot episode |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Scene sequences are outlined showing story and character arcs |
Element: |
4. Promote series to key industry persons |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Key producers appropriate to project are identified |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to analyze trends in serials and series, develop and write scripts appropriate to TV genres, and identify and approach suitable markets for a series or serial concept, series bible and pilot episode you have created and developed.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you will learn through:
1. In-class activities:
• lectures
• industry speakers
• teacher-directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• reading of script excerpts to provide examples of writing elements
• workshopping of students’ own projects
2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent project based work
• online and other research
• independent study
Teaching Schedule
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
Semester 1: Week |
Content | Assessment Due | Elements |
1 | Overview of course content and assessment requirements. |
1, 2, 3 | |
2 | Your genre: discussion. |
Assessment #1 (formative) | 2, 3 |
3 | Your premise: define a simple, compelling idea and a place to set it. |
Assessment #2 (formative) | 1 |
4 | Your characters: use personal sourcing and ongoing research to create a key character. |
Assessment #2 (cont’d) | 1 |
5 | No class: Labour Day |
||
6 | What makes a successful TV series? |
Assessment #3 (formative) |
1, 2 |
7 | Character development: readings | Assessment #3 (ongoing) | 2, 3 |
8 | Conflict & story development: readings | 2, 3 | |
9 | Story arcs: develop involving stories for key and secondary characters | 2, 3 | |
10 | Listening to your script: workshopping | 2, 3 | |
Easter Break: 1 week | |||
11 | Drafting: no class meeting | 2, 3, 4 | |
12 | Drafting: workshopping | 1, 2, 3, 4 | |
13 | Draft script readings and series bible presentations | Assessment #6 (summative) due | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
14 | Draft script readings and series bible presentations (cont’d) | Assessment #6 (summative) due | 2, 3, 4 |
15 | Draft script readings and series bible presentations (cont’d) | Assessment #6 (summative) due | 2, 3, 4 |
16 | Draft script readings and series bible presentations (cont’d) | Assessment #6 (summative) due | 2, 3, 4 |
Semester break - | |||
Semester 2: Week | Content | Assessment | Elements |
1 | Redrafting; the key to successful drama | 3 | |
2 | The second draft: group workshopping |
3 | |
3 | The second draft: group workshopping (cont’d) | 3 | |
4 | Putting together a successful pitch. Pitching to peers. | 3 | |
5 | Pitch your project (including key characters and climactic scenes) | Assessment #4 (formative) | 3 |
6 | Pitching your series to key industry guests | 3 | |
7 | Editing your bible for maximum impact | 3, 4 | |
8 | Drafting: no class meeting | 3, 4 | |
9 | Is your project ready for the market? Planning for success #1 | Assessment # 5 (formative) | 3, 4 |
10 | Is your project ready for the market? Planning for success #2 | Assessment # 5 (cont’d) | 2, 3, 4 |
11 | Final drafting: workshopping | 1, 2, 3, 4 | |
Mid-semester Break: 2 weeks | |||
12 | Table readings of fully revised pilot script | Assessment #7 (summative) due | 2, 3, 4 |
13 | Table readings of fully revised pilot script (cont’d) | Assessment #7 (summative) due | 2, 3, 4 |
14 | Table readings of fully revised pilot script (cont’d) | Assessment #7 (summative) due | 2, 3, 4 |
15 |
Table readings of fully revised pilot script (cont’d) Final review |
Assessment #7 (summative) due | 2, 3, 4 |
16 | No class: Cup Eve |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
You are strongly advised to make use of the listings of recommended reading and viewing posted on Blackboard, which will be updated on an ongoing basis. |
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer, Final Draft software and the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with further resources and tools for learning through our online systems and access to specialized facilities and relevant software. You will also have full access to the extensive RMIT library resources.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the year. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include: participation in class exercises, oral presentations and practical writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded.
To demonstrate competency in this course you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard.
Formative Assessment
Assessment #1. Skills review: the language, approaches and methods employed in the screenwriting process. Assessment conducted: Sem 1 - Week 2
Assessment #2. Group presentations and reports: "The Pilot". Assessment conducted: Sem 1 - Weeks 3 & 4
Assessment #3. Samples of success and possible models: research and analysis via professional mentors: group forums. Assessment conducted: Sem 1 - Ongoing from Week 6
Assessment #4. Pitch your key character and climactic scenes. Assessment conducted: Sem. 2 - Week 5
Assessment #5. Market-ready planning exercise. Assessment conducted: Sem 2 - Weeks 9 & 10
Summative Assessment
Assessment #6. Delivery of draft pilot script and draft series bible. Assessment due: Sem 1 - Week s 13-16
Assessment #7. Delivery of fully revised pilot script and series bible (including market awareness report). Assessment due: Sem 2 - Weeks 12-15
Grading
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
HD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
For further information on the assessment and grading criteria, please refer to the course blackboard site.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (see above).
Other Information
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. For more on the student progress policy see RMIT’s website.
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
Work Placement
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview