Course Title: Create and market a drama series

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: COMM7354C

Course Title: Create and market a drama series

Important Information:

This course will be delivered through face-to-face classes, interaction with industry mentors, and the learning support material and resources in Canvas.

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Penny Johnson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email: svdsc.mac@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: John Reeves

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

Enrolment in this elective course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.

Course Description

In this course you'll originate and fashion your own TV series or serial with input from fellow students, teachers and industry professionals, and become skilled in the craft of writing and story/script editing scripted drama. You'll learn how a plotting room works through first-hand collaborative experience, story and script editing original material. 

This course addresses the following units of competency, clustered for delivery and assessment:

  • PSWDTV603  Create and market a drama series
  • PSWDTV604  Script and story edit television drama

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PSWDTV603 Create and market a drama series

Element:

1. Identify opportunities for the project

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Research current and future local and global markets for a drama series project

1.2 Examine existing drama series to determine what is unique and different about the project

1.3 Consider copyright, moral rights and intellectual property and legislative impacts for the project

1.4 Identify appropriate producers, production companies and networks to partner for the project

1.5 Liaise with potential project partners to assess feasibility for the drama series and gain feedback and confirm the partnership

Element:

2. Produce drama series concept

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Establish a sustainable dramatic premise for the series

2.2 Devise a sustainable dramatic question for the premise

2.3 Clarify narrative style, format and conventions for the production

2.4 Develop dramatically engaging characters and character arcs for the series

2.5 Construct strong, distinctive dramatic story arcs across the series

2.6 Analyse and evaluate the main strength and appeal of the series

2.7 Write a series bible that identifies the concept for the series to industry standards 

Element:

3. Develop pilot episode in a story meeting

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify and collaborate with creative team of writers, producers and directors to develop the pilot episode script from the series bible

3.2 Contribute to plotting dramatically engaging stories and character arcs within the agreed style, format and conventions

3.3 Ensure the episode is supported by a strong dramatic structure

3.4 Contribute to the development of the episode that tells a dynamic, compelling story with credible, engaging characters

3.5 Check each scene drives the story forward with strong dialogue, subtext and imagery

3.6 Ensure plot and characters are well integrated with the format, style and conventions of the proposed series 

3.7 Check for continuity and expositional problems of character, place and time are creatively addressed

3.8 Develop pilot episode to industry conventions and standards, ensuring  any copyright, moral rights intellectual property and legislative requirements are met

Element:

4. Market the production

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Prepare and present the pitch to relevant people supported by project partners

4.2 Ensure pitch conveys the production’s dramatic premise, style and unique selling points

4.3 Respond to feedback and make adjustments to the concept and episode as required

4.3 Identify other funding opportunities to develop project further


Learning Outcomes


By taking this course, you'll acquire the skills to plot and write a pilot episode for your own show, complete a series bible, and devise strategies for taking your project to the local and international marketplace.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through:

1. In-class activities:

  • lectures 
  • 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

Semester 1, 2020

Week

Date

Class Content

Assessment

Elements

Week 1

Feb 12

Overview of course content and assessment requirements

Discuss: a series bible and a pilot script for your own series

Group presentation: initial planning & personality compass

Skills Inventory

Sample Scripts

Final Draft – Introduction

Call for top 6 shows

Initial Assessment: Personality Compass

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 2

Feb 19

Group presentation: discussion & drafting

Exercise: The language, approaches and methods employed in the screenwriting process

Creating and developing a dynamic core character

Our collaborative work - discussion and development

 

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 3

Feb 26

Your premise: define a simple, compelling idea and a place to set it

Developing an awareness of the market

Script Editors - short list

Timing intensive

 

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3,

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 4

Mar 4

Your characters: use personal sourcing and ongoing research to create a nucleus of key characters.

Creating a market analysis.

Exercise: Monologue

 

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 5

Mar 11

Secrets of Final Draft

Preparation for Assessment 1: Your series story arc

Script Editing: scene and sequence analysis

 

 

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3,

PSWDTV604

1, 2

 

Week 6

Mar 18

Your research report: Having researched the current TV drama market for the genre of show you are planning, identify possible co-writers, directors, producers, production companies and providers you might partner with for the project, and report to the class with at least one example of the work of a possible collaborator you've identified.

Workshop your series story arc 

Assessment Task 1

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2

 

Week 7

Mar 25

Your monologue: Write and perform a 300-350 word monologue for a key character, in which they express their anger, frustration, pain, love, despair, or range of other emotions. Let us hear their voice. Show us why we’ll care about them. In the directions that introduce the monologue, give us a brief character introduction, including the character's name and suggested age.

Workshop your series story arc 

Assessment Task 1 (cont’d)

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2

 

Week 8

Apr 1

Deliver your series story arc: Prepare a 2-page story document, in which you define the world of the show, its key characters, and the dramatic question that lies at the heart of it. Please outline in brief thumbnails the story progression across the six episodes of your series.

Conflict & story development: how do we break the rules?

Assessment Task 1 (cont’d)

Documents to be submitted to Canvas

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2

 

 

 

Mid-semester break: Monday 6 April to Monday 13 April inclusive

 

 

Week 9

Apr 15

Segment plotting

Story Conference Debrief and Feedback

Assessment Task 2

PSWDTV603

1, 2

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 10

Apr 22

Segment Plotting (cont'd)

Story Conference Debrief and Feedback (cont'd)

Assessment Task 2 (cont’d)
Documents to be submitted to Canvas

PSWDTV603

1, 2

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 11

Apr 29

Script Editing: Script Re-writing and Polishing

Face to face meetings

Your bible: key character/s, their story arcs, and the story arena

 

PSWDTV603

1, 2

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 12

May 6

Script Editing: Script Re-writing and Polishing

Structural Modification

Story Hooks and Character Transition

Face to face meetings

 

PSWDTV603

1, 2

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 13

May 13

Collaborative script readings (cont’d)

Assessment Task 3

PSWDTV603

1, 2

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 14

May 20

Collaborative script readings (cont’d)

Assessment Task 3 (cont’d)

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 15

May 27

No class meeting: semester review TBA

 

 

 

 

Semester break: classes resume Monday July 6

 

 

 

Semester 2, 2020

 

Week

Date

Class Content

Assessment

 

Week 1

July 8

Redrafting: the key to successful drama and a rewarding career

Reshaping Skills: Structure and Rhythm

 

PSWDTV603

2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

3, 4

 

Week 2

July 15

Draft bible review

Script readings

Assessment Task 4

Submit documents to Canvas

PSWDTV603

2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

3, 4

 

Week 3

July 22

Draft bible review

Script readings

Assessment Task 4 (cont’d)

PSWDTV603

2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

3, 4

 

Week 4

July 29

Editing your bible for maximum impact

Your pilot script: the one-liner

 

PSWDTV603

2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

3, 4

 

Week 5

Aug 5

Your pilot script: the one-liner in review

 

PSWDTV603

2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

3, 4

 

Week 6

Aug 12

Your pilot script: peer feedback

Putting together a successful pitch

Planning for success

 

PSWDTV603

2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

3, 4

 

Week 7

Aug 19

Visually pitch your project

Assessment Task 5

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 8

Aug 26

Visually pitch your project (cont’d)

Assessment Task 5 (cont’d)

Submit documents to Canvas

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

 

 

Mid-semester break: Monday August 31 to Friday September 4 inclusive

 

 

Week 9 

Sep 9

Your pilot script: final feedback (cont’d)

 

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

4

 

Week 10

Sep 16

Your pilot script: final feedback (cont’d)

 

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

4

 

Week 11

Sep 23

Table readings of full draft script

Assessment Task 6

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 12

Sep 30

Table readings of full draft script (cont’d)

Assessment Task 6 (cont’d)

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 13

Oct 7

Table readings of full draft script (cont’d)

Assessment Task 6 (cont’d)

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 14

Oct 14

Table readings of full draft script (cont’d)

Assessment Task 6 (cont’d)

Pilot script due on Canvas

PSWDTV603

1, 2, 3, 4

PSWDTV604

1, 2, 3, 4

 

Week 15

Oct 21

No scheduled meeting: course review TBC 

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, story conferences, pitching presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks. 


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment 1: Your targeted research, monologue and series arc
Due: Submit documents to Canvas by 1 April; deliver in Weeks 6–8 (by arrangement with teacher)

Think about the original TV drama series you’ll be creating this year. What is it about? Where is it set? Why is it unique and different? Who is the character (or characters) who'll drive it? Use your research to write a 500-word project report to deliver to the class. Write and perform a 300-350 word monologue for a key character. Prepare a 2-page story document. 

Assessment 2: Plotting/story conferences/scene breakdowns
Due: Submit documents to Canvas by 22 April; collaborative work in Weeks 9 and 10
 (by arrangement with teacher)

Teamed with other students, you will play your part in a series of brainstorming sessions and story conferences with other students at which your pilot episode will be devised and plotted. You will submit your individual meeting notes and segment scene breakdown, and your group completed scene breakdown and full first draft script.

Assessment 3: Edited collaborative script
Due: 13 May

After redrafted scenes are collated, you are asked to work as a group to prepare a fully-edited final draft of your group’s complete episode, including the sequences you plotted, wrote and edited. Also submit a 500-word account of the roles you played in the process and your assessment of the script and its development potential. 

Assessment 4: Draft bible and script reading
Due: Submit documents to Canvas by 15 July; reading in Semester 2, Weeks 2 and 3
 (by arrangement with teacher)

Complete the draft bible for your original six-part TV series or serial. Submit a ten-page script sequence from the pilot episode of your series, to be read in class. 

Assessment 5: Visually pitch your project (including completed bible) 
Due: Submit documents by 26 August; pitch in class due Semester 2, Weeks 7 and 8
 (by arrangement with teacher)

Provide a visual pitch of your project, and its path to success in the current TV marketplace, in a 10-minute presentation. Submit leave-behind document and a skeleton bible.

Assessment 6: Pilot script and table reading

Due: Submit script to Canvas by 14 October; table readings due Semester 2, Weeks 11–14 (by arrangement with teacher)

You are now asked to submit the pilot script  for your show, and facilitate the table reading of an extended sequence (which may be the full current draft) from your original TV series or serial. This work will be done with feedback and input from other students.

Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA: Competency Achieved
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 matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

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.

Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

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.  

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview