Course Title: Script and story edit television drama
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2020
Course Code: COMM7355C
Course Title: Script and story edit television drama
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: 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
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: |
PSWDTV604 Script and story edit television drama |
Element: |
1. Establish script development requirements with production team |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Collaborate with a team of screenwriters to lead the story in a plotting session 1.2 Plot episodes to program and casting requirements, with appropriate structuring of stories, characters, character arcs and story conventions. 1.3 Provide a scene outline to the screenwriters that contains required story and character information 1.4 Establish timelines with the screenwriters for the completion of stories and scene breakdown 1.5 Liaise with producers and other relevant people to establish reporting lines on story development to ensure the script will meet production requirements |
Element: |
2. Script edit scene breakdowns |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Read and review the scene breakdowns for appropriate story structure, characterisation, character arcs, continuity, conventions and style 2.2 Ensure scenes are structured and plotted as agreed 2.3 Provide detailed notes to individual screenwriters on the story, character, continuity, conventions and style of their scene breakdown |
Element: |
3. Story and script edit scripts |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identity strengths and weaknesses of plot, character, continuity, dialogue and big print in the screenwriters' first draft scripts 3.2 Ensure appropriate balance of stories according to series requirements 3.3 Ensure the story, character, continuity, conventions and style meet series requirements 3.4 Time script to episode and series requirements 3.5 Provide detailed editing notes on exposition, story, character, continuity, conventions and style for the screenwriter 3.6 Suggest new or restructured scenes to enhance the narrative |
Element: |
4. Story and script edit final script |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Ensure each screenwriter has addressed problems identified in first draft 4.2 Identity strengths and weaknesses of plot, character, continuity, dialogue and big print in second draft of script 4.3 Ensure appropriate balance of stories according to series or serial requirements 4.4 Ensure story, character, continuity, conventions and style meet series or serial conventions 4.5 Restructure scenes and assist in the development of new scenes to develop narrative as required 4.6 Resolve problems of exposition of the story, including characters, setting and main conflicts. 4.7 Edit dialogue and big print to enhance conflict, subtext, pace and character 4.8 Time script to episode and series requirements 4.9 Liaise with screenwriting team to provide further edits as required in meeting established timelines |
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) |
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
None |
References
Resources are available on Canvas |
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, oral 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