Course Title: Adapt fiction and nonfiction work for the screen
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2014
Course Code: COMM7325
Course Title: Adapt fiction and nonfiction work for the screen
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Course Contact : Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254815
Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Ms. Glenda Hambly
Email: glenda.hambly@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 70
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
At RMIT, you are required to have completed all first year core courses before enrolling in this course.
Course Description
A large proportion of produced screen drama is adapted from pre-existing material: novels, short stories, stage plays and non-fiction books and articles. This course develops the skills and knowledge required to write an adaptation of a fiction or nonfiction work as a screenplay either as a commissioned script or as a speculative venture.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ASWADT612A Adapt fiction and nonfiction work for the screen |
Element: |
1. Evaluate fiction or nonfiction work for suitability as an adaptation |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The strengths and weaknesses of story, characters and overall narrative structure are assessed |
Element: |
2. Determine the film story |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Essential story for adaptation and suitable genre are identified in the film story |
Element: |
3. Develop a treatment |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Story structure is developed or translated into a different medium |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to adapt pre-existing material for the screen
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
• lectures
• industry speakers
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• analysis/critique of students’ writings
2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent project based work
• writing and reading assignments
• 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.
| Week | Class Content | Assessment Due | Elements |
| 1 | Introduction to the course. Key principles and problems in adaptation. Case study: Adapting Fiction: The Hours. Note: Students are asked to read this novel before attending the first class. Discuss 1st Written Assignment: Choosing your source material to adapt. |
1 | |
| 2 | Updating an adaptation. Case study: From Emma to Clueless. Class exercise: Adapt Mr and Mrs Dove as a contemporary screenplay |
1 | |
| 3 | Adapting Non Fiction: Finding the drama. Class exercise; Adapt two New Yorker essays: The Master and The Miner’s Daughter. |
1 | |
| 4 | Students discuss their adaptation choice with class and receive feedback. | Formative Assessment 1 | 2 |
| 5 | Continuation of above. Students discuss their choice of adaptation with class and receive feedback Preparation for class comparative analysis project. |
2 | |
| 6 | Students present comparative analysis of a short story, graphic novel, novel or play and its screen adaptation. | 1, 2 | |
| 7 | Copyright issues. Guest speaker: Moira Moss. From stage play to screenplay. Show don’t tell. Case study: The Boyz |
1, 2 | |
| 8 | Students present comparative analysis of a short story/play/graphic novel and its screen adaptation. |
Formative Assessment 2 |
1 |
| 9 | Students present comparative analysis of a short story/play/graphic novel and its screen adaptation. | Formative Assessment 2 | 2 |
| 10 | Adapting biography. Case study: Rabbit Proof Fence Class Discussion: Chopper, Grace of Monaco, Hitchcock, Pollock, Capote, Walk the Line. |
|
2, 3 |
| 11 | Students discuss their structural choices with class and receive feedback |
Formative Assessment 3 | 2, 3 |
| 12 | Close Textural Analysis: Abbreviation. Turning prose into images and action. Case study: Silence of the Lambs, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. |
2, 3 | |
| 13 | Adapting children’s literature for cinema and television. Guest Speaker: David Rapsey. Case study: Go Girl Adapting children’s literature for cinema and television. Guest Speaker: David Rapsey. Case study: Go Girl |
2, 3 | |
| 14 | Adapting a novel to the big and small screen. Case study: Puberty Blues (the 1979 novel, 1981 feature and 2012 mini-series). |
2, 3 | |
| 15 | Failed adaptations and the use of Voice Over. Case study: Great Gatsby and Barney’s Version |
2, 3 | |
| 16 | Seminar: Reflection on the course. Summary of key principles of adaptation. Further work on problem areas. |
Summative Assessment | 1, 2, 3 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Novels: |
References
Other Resources
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information on relevant references.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is on-going throughout the course. 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 as essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment in this unit are graded.
To demonstrate competency, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Non-graded)
Formative assessment for this course comprises three exercises. In order to successfully complete this unit, you will need to complete these exercises to a satisfactory standard.
1. Written Assignment 1: Choosing your source material to adapt (Due Wednesday 30 July)
A half-page description of the story in the source material you are choosing to adapt and a half page description of the problems you expect to confront in writing the adaptation.
2. Comparative Analysis (Due Wednesday 27 August 3 September)
Present a comparative analysis of a short story, play or graphic novel and its screen adaptation to the class.
3. Written Assignment 2: The film story (Due Wednesday 17 September).
A two-page description of the story’s structure. This structural summary will define the overall shape of the story; i.e. its beginning, middle and end.
A short statement identifying any copyright issues is to be included.
A brief indication of potential markets for the project.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Graded)
There is one summative assessment in this course.
An Outline of the Adaptation (Due Wednesday 5 November)
Summary of Assessment
You will write a five-page prose outline of the adapted script you intend to write. This document will expand on the third formative assessment.
Details of Assessment
This will be a well-written and precise document that can be shown to a producer.
Your outline will clearly describe the shape of the story to be told.
Assessment Submission
Your outline is to be double-spaced.
This assessment is to be emailed to your teacher digitally, as either a Word or RTF attachment. A digital, signed copy of the cover sheet must accompany this assessment. A copy of the cover sheet, along with instructions on how to set up and use a digital signature, are available on the program blackboard site. Your teacher might also request a hard copy.
This course is graded. Grades used in this course are as follows:
- CHD 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
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.
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 feedback at RMIT
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Academic progress policy
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. Special consideration, appeals and discipline
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Academic Integrity and plagiarism
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