Course Title: Adapt fiction and nonfiction work for the screen
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2015
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: Gayelene Carbis
Email: gayelene.carbis@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 |
1 | Introduction to the course. Key principles and problems in adaptation. Discuss 1st Written Assignment: Choosing your source material to adapt. |
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2 | "Brokeback Mountain" - Short Story by Annie Prouix. Excerpts from film Brokeback Mountain. Class discussion: Suitable sources for adaptation. Class exercise: Adapt Mr and Mrs Dove as a contemporary screenplay |
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3 | Adapting Non Fiction: Finding the drama. Case study: Adapting Fiction: The Hours. 
Note: Students are asked to read this novel before attending this class. Class exercise; Adapt two New Yorker essays: The Master and The Miner’s Daughter. |
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4 | Students discuss their adaptation choice with class and receive feedback. | |
5 | Continuation of above. Students discuss their choice of adaptation with class and receive feedback Preparation for class comparative analysis project. |
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6 | Students present comparative analysis of a short story, graphic novel, novel or play and its screen adaptation. | |
7 | Copyright issues. Guest speaker: Moira Moss. From stage play to screenplay. Show don’t tell. Case study: The Boyz |
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8 | Students present comparative analysis of a short story/play/graphic novel and its screen adaptation. |
Assessment Task 1 Due |
9 | Students present comparative analysis of a short story/play/graphic novel and its screen adaptation. | |
10 | Adapting biography. Case study: Rabbit Proof Fence Class discussion of biographical films which may include Chopper, Grace of Monaco, Hitchcock, Pollock, Capote, Walk the Line. |
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11 | Students discuss their structural choices with class and receive feedback Please note: there will be no classes from Monday 21 September through to Friday 2 October |
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12 | Close Textural Analysis: Abbreviation. Turning prose into images and action. Case study: Silence of the Lambs, Brokeback Mountain |
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13 | Adapting children’s literature for cinema and television. Case study: Go Girl |
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14 | Adapting a novel to the big and small screen. Case study: Puberty Blues (the 1979 novel, 1981 feature and 2012 mini-series). |
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15 | Failed adaptations and the use of Voice Over. Case study: Great Gatsby |
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16 | Seminar: Reflection on the course. Summary of key principles of adaptation. Further work on problem areas. |
Assessment Task 2 Due |
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
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment and where indicated, you will receive a grade.
ASSESSMENT TASKS
There are two assessment tasks in this course.
1. Written Assignment 2: The film story (Due Friday 28 August).
Summary of Assessment
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.
2. An Outline of the Adaptation (Due Friday 6 November)(graded)
Summary of Assessment
You will write a five-page prose outline of the adapted script you intend to write.
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.
Once you have demonstrated competency, your second assessment task will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric).
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