Course Title: Create a drama series or serial
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2018
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 1.2 Markets for established programs are identified 1.3 Characteristics of current programs and market trends are clarified 1.4 Program gaps are defined 1.5 Network program requirements are assessed |
Element: |
2. Produce series bible |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Audience for proposed series or serial is identified in series bible 2.2 Basic premise of series or serial is established in series bible 2.3 Characters and character arcs are developed in series bible 2.4 Appropriate genre and format of stories are determined in series bible 2.5 Story arcs for duration of series or serial are outlined in series bible |
Element: |
3. Create pilot episode |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Scene sequences are outlined showing story and character arcs 3.2 Plot and sub-plot are integrated into clear narrative line 3.3 Budget considerations are taken into account 3.4 Consultation is undertaken with appropriate industry personnel 3.5 Script is revised to meet industry or enterprise requirements |
Element: |
4. Promote series to key industry persons |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Key producers appropriate to project are identified 4.2 Support for project is obtained from own network 4.3 Pitch series bible and supporting documents to appropriate industry personnel 4.4 Appropriate follow up action is taken following initial pitch |
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 & mentors
• teacher-directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• mentoring by industry professionals
• reading of script excerpts to provide examples of writing elements
• table readings and workshopping of students’ own projects
2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent project based work
• online and other research
• independent study
Teaching Schedule
Semester 1
Week |
Date |
Class Content |
Assessment |
Week 1 |
Feb 7 |
Overview of course content and assessment requirements |
|
Week 2 |
Feb 14 |
Group presentation: discussion & drafting Exercise: The language, approaches and methods employed in the screenwriting process Creating and developing a dynamic core character Exercise: "The Case" |
|
Week 3 |
Feb 21 |
Your premise: define a simple, compelling idea and a place to set it |
Assessment Task #1 |
Week 4 |
Feb 28 |
Your characters: use personal sourcing and ongoing research to create a nucleus of key characters. Exercise: Monologue |
Assessment Task #1 (cont’d) |
Week 5 |
Mar 7 |
Pitch/perform your monologue. Secrets of Final Draft Preparation for Assessment #2: Pitch your pilot story arc |
|
Week 6 |
Mar 14 |
Pitch your pilot story arc |
Assessment Task #2 |
Week 7 |
Mar 21 |
Pitch your pilot story arc |
Assessment Task #2 (cont’d) |
Week 8 |
Mar 28 |
Pitch your pilot story arc Conflict & story development: how do we break the rules? Guest speaker: TBA |
Assessment Task #2 (cont’d) |
|
|
Mid-semester break: Friday March 30 to Friday April 6 inclusive |
|
Week 9 |
Apr 11 |
Drafting: no class meeting |
|
Week 10 |
Apr 18 |
Drafting and workshopping |
|
Week 11 |
Apr 25 |
Anzac Day: no class meeting |
|
Week 12 |
May 2 |
Draft script readings (cont’d) |
Assessment Task #3 |
Week 13 |
May 9 |
Draft script readings (cont’d) |
Assessment Task #3 (cont’d) |
Week 14 |
May 16 |
Draft script readings (cont’d) |
Assessment Task #3 (cont’d) |
Week 15 |
May 23 |
Draft script readings (cont’d) |
Assessment Task #3 (cont’d) |
|
|
Semester break: Monday May 28 to Friday June 29 inclusive |
|
Semester 2
Week |
Date |
Class Content |
Assessment |
Week 1 |
July 4 |
Redrafting: the key to successful drama and a rewarding career |
|
Week 2 |
July 11 |
Face to face meetings |
|
Week 3 |
July 18 |
Face to face meetings |
|
Week 4 |
July 25 |
Your bible: key character/s, their story arcs, and the story arena |
|
Week 5 |
Aug 1 |
Editing your bible for maximum impact Guest speaker: TBA |
|
Week 6 |
Aug 8 |
Putting together a successful pitch Guest speakers: Is your project ready for the market? Planning for success via speed mentoring round table |
|
Week 7 |
Aug 15 |
Bibles Ready: Visually pitch your project (including market-ready self assessment) |
Assessment Task #4 |
Week 8 |
Aug 22 |
Bibles Ready: Visually pitch your project (including market-ready self assessment) (cont’d) |
Assessment Task #4 (cont’d) |
Week 9 |
Aug 29 |
The full draft: group workshopping (cont’d) |
|
Week 10 |
Sep 5 |
The full draft: group workshopping (cont’d) |
|
Week 11 |
Sep 12 |
Table readings: a professional approach |
|
|
|
Mid-semester break: Monday September 17 to Friday September 28 inclusive |
|
Week 12 |
Oct 3 |
Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch |
Assessment Task #5 |
Week 13 |
Oct 10 |
Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d) |
Assessment Task #5 (cont’d) |
Week 14 |
Oct 17 |
Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d) |
Assessment Task #5 (cont’d) |
Week 15 |
Oct 24 |
Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d) |
Assessment Task #5 (cont’d) |
Week 16 |
Oct 31 |
No class meeting: marking |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer, Final Draft screenwriting 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 specialised 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
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard.
Assessment Task #1: Group presentation and report: Pilots and popular success.
Assessment conducted: Sem 1 - Weeks 3 & 4 (21 & 28 February)
Assessment Task #2: Pitch your pilot story arc.
Assessment conducted: Sem 1 - Weeks 6, 7 & 8 (14, 21 and 28 March)
Assessment Task #3: Draft script readings.
Assessment conducted: Sem 1 - Weeks 12, 13, 14 & 15 (2, 9, 16 and 23 May)
Assessment Task #4: Bibles Ready: Visually pitch your project (including market-ready self assessment).
Assessment conducted: Sem 2 - Weeks 7 & 8 (15 & 22 August)
Assessment Task #5: Table readings of your full draft script/final bible pitch, and submit material.
Assessment due: Sem 2 - Weeks 12, 13, 14 & 15 (3, 10, 17 and 24 October)
Once you have demonstrated competency, your final assessment task (#5) will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric).
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 Canvas 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
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters.
Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Assessment Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include 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 designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.
Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time):
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.
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.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview