Course Title: Write an episode of a TV series
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2013
Course Code: COMM7317
Course Title: Write an episode of a TV series
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
Thursday 1.30 - 5.00:
Teacher: Noel Maloney
94.2.6
Email: noel.maloney@rmit.edu.au
Thursday 5.30 - 9.00
Teacher: Ben Michael
Email: ben.michael@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
Nil
Course Description
This unit explores the skills and knowledge required to write an episode of an existing television series or serial. Television script writing is highly collaborative and requires writers to be able to work effectively with story editors, script editors and script producers. The ability to work to deadlines, meet the production requirements of a particular show and develop story creatively and efficiently in a pressured environment are some of the essential skills required by successful screenwriters.
This is the designated Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course for C6125 Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting. This course includes a WIL experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ASWWTV604A Write an episode of a TV series |
Element: |
1. Develop a story in a team |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 A sustainable dramatic premise and dramatic question for the episode are outlined |
Element: |
2. Write a scene breakdown |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Contributions are made by writer in a team towards the plotting of an episode |
Element: |
3. Write a first draft of a script |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Scenes are established according to the approved scene breakdown 3.2 Each scene is developed to advance the story 3.3 Dialogue is drafted appropriate to character 3.4 Vision is created to move story effectively 3.5 Point of view is established and maintained 3.6 Continuity is maintained |
Element: |
4. Write a second draft of a script |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1Notes from script editor are incorporated into second draft |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, you will have developed the skills to write a story, scene breakdown and first and second draft of a TV drama series.
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
In the second semester of the course, Write TV you will be working independently in teams and as individuals, writing scenes for a TV series. You will be expected to spend a minimum of 2 hours a week outside of class time working on this project, and to bring your work regularly to class for workshopping and to receive feedback from your teacher and your peers.
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Content | Assessment due | Competency and Elements |
| 1 | Introduction to the semester’s work and assessment.
Small groups nominate leaders and generate ideas for a television series or serial. What makes a good concept for a television show? Groups pitch their ideas. |
1 | |
| 2 | New group leaders elected. Groups swap film/TV ideas.
Groups identify problems and changes they feel need to be made to improve the idea. Groups pitch changes. |
1 | |
| 3 | As Executive Producer, teacher proposes radical changes to group ideas. Groups incorporate changes, while defending the ones they feel must not be changed. Groups pitch changes to. |
1 | |
| 4 | Teacher chooses project.
Play a role that encourages the movement and shift of ideas within the group towards a well-conceived solution. Create a mini Bible for the project. The leader assigns tasks to each member to get the job done on time. Develop series concept, premise and story engine. |
1 | |
| 5 | The character map. How to give a character dimensions that will produce effective story.
Develop theme. |
1 | |
| 6 | Develop character. Pitch a story idea X 5 |
Summative 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Develop story. Pitch a story idea X 5 |
Summative 1 | 1 |
| 8 | Develop story. Pitch a story idea X 5 |
Summative 1 | 1 |
| 9 |
Plot an episode |
Formative 1 | 2 |
| 10 | Plot an episode | Formative 1 | 2 |
| 11 | Plot an episode | Formative 1 | 2 |
| Mid semester break - two weeks | |||
| 12 | Agree on industry standard of writing breakdowns and scripts.
Write a scene breakdown. |
2 | |
| 13 | Write scenes | Formative 2 | 3 |
| 14 | Write scenes | Formative 2 | 3 |
| 15 | Edit scenes | Formative 3 | 4 |
| 16 | Edit scenes |
Formative 3 Summative 2 Due
|
4 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Any prescribed reading material will be distributed in class |
References
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks
Assessment 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 tasks 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 assessment.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Non-Graded)
Formative assessment for this course comprises three in-class exercises. In order to successfully complete this unit, you will need to complete each of these to a satisfactory standard.
1. Participate in a series of plotting exercises
Over a period of three weeks, you will participate with others in a series of plotting meetings to develop character arcs and storylines for a TV series.
You will be assessed on your ability to contribute effective character and story ideas that are appropriate to the needs of the show, while at the same time working well with other team members.
In the team, you will also contribute to the development of a scene breakdown for an episode of the series.
2. Write five scenes
You will write a first draft of five scenes for the initial episode of the series. You will ensure these scenes follow the scene breakdown, and you will aim for writing of an extremely high quality in which character, action and dialogue move the story forward creatively and dramatically.
3. Edit five scenes
Following basic principles of editing, you will edit your writing partner’s scenes to ensure they serve the needs and conventions of the show and at the same time bring out their dramatic and creative potential.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Graded)
1. Story pitch
In class time, you will pitch a story for the TV series the class has developed.
The story may be for one or more episodes.
2. Scripted Scenes
This will be a portfolio of work that includes:
- A scene breakdown of five scenes from the pilot episode of the TV series that was developed by the class.
- A second draft of these five scenes in scripted form.
- The redraft will be based on notes from your editor on your first draft. You MUST supply these notes, with the editor’s name.
Your scenes must demonstrate that you have incorporated these notes into your rewrite.
GRADES
CHD Competent with high distinction
CDI Competent with distinction
CC Competent with credit
CAG Competent graded
NYC Not yet complete
DNS Did not submit
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are required to submit all written assessment tasks in hard copy with a completed School of Media and Communication cover sheet. You are expected to keep a copy of all assignments submitted.
Late Submissions
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension before that due date.
Please refer to the program blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.
Feedback
You will receive both spoken and written feedback on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv
Course Overview: Access Course Overview