Course Title: Write extended stories
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: COMM5911C
Course Title: Write extended stories
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6088 - Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting
Course Contact : Program administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368
Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: John Reeves
Location: Building 94, level 2, room 6, 23-27 Cardigan Street,
South Carlton
Phone: 9925 4895
Email: john.reeves@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 40
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
None
Course Description
Write Extended Stories is taught within the course Storytelling, which is made up of two competencies Write Simple Stories and Write Extended Stories. Strong storytelling is an essential component of screenwriting and the competency Write Extended Stories delivers the skills, craft and knowledge required to write longer stories.
This competency Write Extended Stories (CUFWRT402A) is delivered and assessed with Write Simple Stories (CUFWRT302A).
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFWRT402A Write extended stories |
Element: |
1. Analyse extended story writing requirements. |
Performance Criteria: |
Identify the components of a storytelling creative concept, brief or project, including target audience, format, timeline and proposed outcomes. |
Element: |
2. Prepare to write extended stories. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Research extended and more complex stories from a range of creative works that may inspire story ideas to meet project requirements. |
Element: |
3. Draft extended stories. |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Draft extended stories using appropriate structuring, style and language. |
Element: |
4. Write final drafts. |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Evaluate extended stories in line with relevant data. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to use both linear and non-linear structures to write simple and extended stories,. You will build your understanding and overview of the history and importance of storytelling.
Details of Learning Activities
You learn through:
1. In-class activities:
lectures
industry speakers
teacher directed group activities/projects
peer teaching and class presentations
group discussion
class exercises to review discussions/lectures
reading of excerpts of writings and set texts to provide examples of writing elements
workshopping of students’ own projects
analysis/critique of writings of students’ choice
2. Out-of-class activities:
independent project based work
writing and reading assignments
online and other research
independent study
Teaching Schedule
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. SEMESTER 1 |
Week starting | Class content | Assessment due | Elements |
Week 1 (7 Feb) |
Introduction to Storytelling. Explanation of course content and overview of assessment | CUFWRT302A - 1 CUFWRT402A -1 |
|
Week 2 (14 Feb) |
Sourcing: Looking for stories that matter Story Structure: Beginning, Middle and End Story workshop: One Afternoon |
CUFWRT302A - 2 CUFWRT402A - 1 |
|
Week 3 (21 Feb) |
Sourcing: Fairy Tales Reading: Little Red Riding Hood, The Sleeping Beauty Reports: Charles Perrault |
CUFWRT302A – 2,3 CUFWRT402A - 1 |
|
Week 4 (28 Feb) |
Sourcing: Fairy Tales (cont’d) Reading: Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella Reports: The Grimm Brothers Story workshop: Found Stories |
CUFWRT302A – 2, 3 CUFWRT402A - 1 |
|
Week 5 (7 March) |
Sourcing: Classical drama Reading/Reports: Aristotle, Aristophanes, E M Forster Story Structure: The Inciting Incident Story workshops x 3 |
CUFWRT302A – 3, 4 CUFWRT402A - 1 |
|
Week 6 (14 March) |
Sourcing: The Power of Myth Reading: Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler Story Structure: Conflict Story workshops x 3 |
Story #1 due | CUFWRT302A - 2 CUFWRT402A - 1 |
Week 7 (21 March) |
Storytellers in the Screen Industry: The Early Days Viewing: Frances Marion Reading/Reports: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Daniel Fuchs Story workshops x 3 |
CUFWRT302A – 2 CUFWRT402A - 2 |
|
Week 8 (28 March) |
Sourcing: A Sense of Place Viewing: North By Northwest Reading/Reports: Lisa Dethridge, Wim Wenders Story workshops x 3 |
CUFWRT302A - 3 CUFWRT402A -2 |
|
Week 9 (4 April) |
Sourcing: The Hero Myth Extended Story Structure: Characterization, Character Development, Motivation Reading/Reports: David Mamet Story workshops x 3 |
CUFWRT302A – 3, 4 CUFWRT402A - 2 |
|
Week 10 (11 April) |
Sourcing: Road Tales Storytellers in the Screen Industry: David Goodis Reading/Reports: Syd Field, Helen Garner Story workshops x 3 |
STORY #2 DUE |
CUFWRT302A - 3 CUFWRT402A -3 |
Week 11 (18 April) |
Sourcing: True Tales Extended Story Structure: Set-up, Payoff, Antagonists Stories for short film Reading/Reports: Henry Lawson, Peter Carey, Tim Winton Story workshops x 3 |
CUFWRT402A -3 | |
Week 12 (2 May) |
Sourcing: Looking for Subtext Extended Story Structure: Mystery, Suspense, Irony Viewing: Roger Corman Reading/Reports: Edgar Allan Poe, Patricia Highsmith, Robert McKee Story workshops x 3 |
CUFWRT402A -4 | |
Week 13 (9 May) |
Sourcing: Imagery Extended Story Structure: The Middle, Upping the Stakes Stories for feature film Reading/Reports: Mary Fortune, Barbara Baynton, Linda Seger Story workshops x 3 |
CUFWRT402A- 4 | |
Week 14 (16 May) |
Sourcing: The Story Within Extended Story Structure: Emotion - Beyond Story Reading/Reports: Tom Hanlin, Colm Toíbín, Adrian Martin Story workshops x 3 |
STORY #3 DUE |
CUFWRT402A - 4 |
Week 15 (23 May) |
Sourcing: Family Ties/Valued Objects Extended Story Structure: dramatic action Reading/Reports: Writing For Children |
CUFWRT402A - 4 | |
Week 16 (30 May) |
Sourcing: True Crime Extended Story Structure: Climax, Crisis Reading: Australian Police Journal |
CUFWRT402A - 4 | |
Week 17 (6 June) |
Assessment and review | CUFWRT302A CUFWRT402A |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
The Storytelling Course Reader 2011 will be available early in the semester. |
References
Extracts, readings and additional references are provided throughout the course. In addition to hard copy handouts, some readings are made available on Blackboard, and others can be accessed via the web. Recommended books will be discussed in class. You are advised to visit Blackboard for ongoing updated information |
Other Resources
Students will require access to a word processing program and the facility to print hard copies of stories for workshopping. These are also available in the Carlton Library
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course 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
This course will be delivered and assessed in conjunction with Write Simple Stories .You will be assessed on your knowledge and ability to write stories that engage the target audience and meet the requirements or purpose of a storytelling concept, brief or project. To demonstrate competency, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
Assessment for this course involves writing 3 stories. Archetypal stories (the prodigal son), myths (Oedipus) and fairy tales (Cinderella) are useful starting points for new stories. However, adaptations from works by an author other than yourself will not be accepted.
Assessment Tasks:
1. Story 1: A Fairy Tale: A Magical Object or Happening
(1500 words) Due in class of week beginning March 14
30% of Total Mark
2. Story 2: The Extraordinary within the Ordinary
(2000 words) Due in class of week beginning April 11
30% of Total Mark
3. Story 3: A Suspenseful Tale
(2500 words) Due in class of week beginning May 16
30% of Total Mark
4. Workshopping
10% Total Mark
Grades used in this course are as follows:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
For further details on these assessment tasks and the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.
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
Copyright and Ethics:
This course offers you an opportunity to create your own work, and as a result, generate copyright. Ideas cannot be copyrighted; however, they can be honoured and acknowledged. In this course, you will share ideas constantly. Students are expected to act responsibly and generously in this process. If you wish to adapt another’s idea, seek their permission first
Feedback:
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this 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.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;
Course Overview: Access Course Overview