Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: COMM5909C

Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5216 - Diploma of Screen and Media

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher:

Name:      John Reeves

Phone:      03 9925 4895

Email:       john.reeves@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

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

none

Course Description

In this course you will be writing storylines and treatments suitable for a short screenplay.
The competency covers the skills and knowledge required to develop a narrative or storyline.
 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFWRT501A Develop storylines and treatments

Element:

1 Plan and prepare to write production material.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Define appropriate script-writing construction, style and formats for given type of production and clients.

1.2 Define and develop ideas and concepts of the given production material, including analysis of genre, audience and purpose.

1.3 Develop elements of narrative, including visual and aural narrative components, dialogue and other communication techniques, such as symbols and icons, to convey information in production material.
 

Element:

2 Develop storylines or treatments

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify components of script development required by concept proposals.

2.2 Develop concepts to synopsis stage or equivalent as required by type of production format or genre

2.3 Develop treatment and scene breakdown as required by type of production format or genre

2.4 Evaluate narrative development with relevant personnel as required and incorporate feedback

2.5 Develop material in appropriate format for story conferencing or pitch presentation to client.
 

Element:

3 Finalise storylines or treatments.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Present materials for discussion to production team responsible for story conferences or pitching to clients

3.2 Redraft materials incorporating feedback from production team

3.3 Ensure that relevant material is ready for next stage of production and is completed within agreed timeframes and budget requirements
 


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to use a range of industry-current software applications to create and refine digital visual effects.
 


Details of Learning Activities

In-class learning activities include, but are not limited to:

  • lectures
  • table readings
  • workshops
  • practical exercises
  • discussions
  • screenings
  • independent reading and research
  • writing
  • screenings

Out-of-class activities include, but are not limited to :

  • reading
  • research
  • writing
  • attending screenings and festivals
  • independent project based work 


Teaching Schedule

WEEK CLASS CONTENT  ASSESSMENTS DUE
WEEK 1 No class  
WEEK 2

Overview of course. Skills inventory. Sample layout

An exercise: One Day in the Life

Writing the synopsis/outline

 
WEEK 3

Story spine (main basic story) - main plot, subplots.

Sample script

Writing the synopsis/outline, structure: 3-act, turning points

 

 
WEEK 4 Visual language - showing, not telling. Exposition, narrative techniques of foreshadowing & planting information
 
 
WEEK 7 Discuss treatments
Screen dialogue
Screen layout
Assignment #1(b): Read your story synopsis and character note for feedback
WEEK 8 Workshop treatments & sample scenes Assignment #2(a): Develop a 2-page treatment and sample scene via class workshopping
Easter Break    
WEEK 9

Read treatments and sample scenes

 

Assignment #2(b): Read your  2-page treatment and sample scene for feedback

 

WEEK 10

Workshop scripts

Assignment #3(a): Develop a 5-minute narrative script based on your treatment, set out in industry-standard format, via class workshopping

WEEK 11 Production (no class)  Student are to prepare assessment 3b.
WEEK 12 Production (no class)   Student are to prepare assessment 3b.
WEEK 13 Production (no class)   Student are to prepare assessment 3b.
WEEK 14 Workshop scripts/Read and review scripts Assignment #3(b): Facilitate a table reading of your 5-minute narrative script for feedback, and submit the completed script
WEEK 15 Read and review scripts

Assignment #3(b) (cont’d): Facilitate a table reading of your 5-minute narrative script for feedback, and submit the completed script

WEEK 16

Read and review scripts

Assignment #3(b) (cont’d): Facilitate a table reading of your 5-minute narrative script for feedback, and submit the completed script
 

Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of resources.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

You are expected to make full use of the Carlton and Swanston libraries in accessing scripts and other material, and will also be asked to view films and TV programs in your own time.


References

Pat Cooper and Ken Dancyger, 2005, Writing the Short Film, Focal Press

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information


Other Resources

Copies of scripts and other handouts to be supplied by teacher


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through a combination of written exercises and drafting, workshopping and re-drafting written assignments.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete all of the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback on all assessment (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria). .

Assessment tasks in this course are graded and ungraded.

Assessment Task #1: Ungraded

(a) Originate, develop and write a 300-word story synopsis and 100-word character note for your main character via class workshopping. Due date:  Week 6 (March 16, 17, 20)

(b) Read your story synopsis & character note for feedback. Due date: Week 7 (March 23, 24, 27)

Assessment Task #2: Ungraded

(a) Develop a 2-page treatment and sample scene via class workshopping. Due date: Week 8 (March 30, 31, April 3 (no class; will cover in Week 7))

(b) Read your 2-page treatment and sample scene for feedback. Due date: Week 9 (April 13, 14, 17)

Assessment Task #3: Graded

(a). Develop a 5-minute narrative script based on your treatment, set out in industry-accepted format, via class workshopping. Due date: Week 10 (April 20, 21, 24)

(b)  Facilitate a table reading of your 5-minute narrative script for feedback, and submit the completed script. Due date: Weeks 14, 15 & 16 (May 18, 19, 22; May 25,26,27; June 1,2 5)

Grading criteria for this assessment can be found on the course blackboard site.

Once you have demonstrated competency, your final assessment task will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric) using the following grades:

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 from the course contact person in Program Administration.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: www.rmit.edu.au/students

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students 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.


Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.

Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.


Student Progress (web link)
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.


Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)
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 will need to apply for special consideration.


Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview