Lecture 1: Course Introduction Class Textbook Professor Christopher Bradley

Professor Christopher Bradley Lecturer, Film and Media Studies, Arizona State University MFA, Screenwriting, UCLA Teaches courses in Screenwriting and Film History as well as the FMS Capstone.

No Country for Old Men (2007) In This Lesson What kind of distance learning course is this? How can you succeed in this course? What do we study in this course? What are the assignments? Why the short film? No Country for Old Men (2007) Written by Cormac McCarthy (novel) and Joel and Ethan Coen (Screenplay)

What Kind of Distance Learning Course is This? They Live (1988) Screenplay by John Carpenter Based on the short story by Ray Nelson) Lesson 1: Part I

A Unique Distance Learning Experience This is not an automated course. This is not a self-paced course. This course emphasizes interactivity: Asynchronous Synchronous Participation is key to your success! Threaded Discussions on the eBoard Interactive Learning Modules Chat Rooms and Skype

The Advantages of this Course Flexibility… not limited by space Study materials available 24/7 Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint) Websites & other resources Films linked to site Clips Structured like a traditional course Complements multiple learning styles Lots of interactivity

The Disadvantages Students that learn best through face-to- face debate can struggle in this environment. Ways to compensate Have real-time meetings with classmates Students that are not well organized tend to not do well in this environment. Meet all deadlines Study in advance of assignments

Online Evaluation Pause the lecture and take the Self-Evaluation of Online Students. It will help you better understand how your learning style meets the demands of this environment. Juno (2007) Written by Diablo Cody

How to Succeed in This Course The Great Train Robbery (1903) Written by Scott Marble and Edwin S. Porter Lesson 1: Part II

How do We Define Success? Becoming better, more knowledgeable writers Leaving the course with a finished short script Getting a high grade: A or B Becoming more adept at giving and taking constructive criticism in workshop and discussion The Apartment (1960) Written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond

Course Organization Each lesson contains: Screening (linked short film) Reading Reading Review Website Lecture Interactivity (Discussion Board) Clips (Sometimes) 11

Forms of Interactivity Threaded discussions on the eBoard with classmates and professors Office Hours (if possible) Online Chats with prof. E-mail Almost Famous (2000) Written by Cameron Crowe

And Not Just Any Kind of Interactivity! To study writing and film we must debate. However this does not require being disrespectful or insensitive. I expect us to discuss writing and film with passion and perspective. I expect us to challenge each other’s conceptions of writing and film with rigor and respect.

What do we study in this course? Rope (1948) Written by Patrick Hamilton (play) and Hume Cronyn (adaptation) and Arthur Laurents (screenplay) Lesson 1: Part III

Written by Charles Chaplin The Writing Process What does it take to be a successful screenwriter? Getting Started Staying Focused Revision The Great Dictator (1940) Written by Charles Chaplin 15

The Principles of Drama How is storytelling related to screenwriting? Plot and story Character and emotion The three-part structure Dialogue Meaning Hamlet by William Shakespeare 16

The Online Workshop Process Why do writers workshop? Sharing your work Giving and taking constructive criticism Improving your work in the workshop 17

Written by Richard Kelly Assignments Donnie Darko (2001) Written by Richard Kelly Lesson 1: Part IV

Participation/Exercises Participation and short writing exercises are worth 25% of your final grade (100 points) Grade is based on: Contributing one writing exercise and two posts per lesson to the forum. Keeping up with posts and exercises - meeting deadlines. Quality of posts & exercises.

Treatment The treatment is worth 25% of your grade It is a boiled down prose version of your story that includes such crucial aspects as an outline of the plot and a description of the main characters and their function within the plot. It should be 2-3 single spaced pages. See the website for a sample treatment.

First Draft of Short Script 25% of your grade (100 pts) You will complete the first draft of a screenplay for a short film. A first draft is by definition rough, but it should be about 10 pages long and include a beginning, middle and end along with other identifiable aspects of story structure such as conflict, crisis and resolution. Your script should be in a standard screenplay format approved by your instructor.

Final Draft of a Short Script 25% of your grade (100 pts) The final draft will include many of the elements of the first draft but show demonstrable improvement over the first draft. The student should aim for the final draft to be 10-12 pages. It should be as polished as possible in terms of both the writing and the format.

Why the Short Film? Lesson 1: Part V George Lucas in Love (1999) Written by Joe Nussbaum and Timothy Dowling (story) and Joe Nussbaum and Daniel Sheere (writer) Lesson 1: Part V

Starting Short As a beginner, writing a short script before you attempt to write a feature- length script allows you to: Work with the principles of fiction and drama at a manageable level Learn economy Revise more easily Practice screenplay format

Advantages for the Student Filmmaker Short films are the predominant form in film schools Far cheaper to make than features Easier to get into film festivals Can act as a calling card to the film industry

Short Film about Short Films At the conclusion of the lecture watch Live at Sundance: Short Films, Tall Ideas. For your first post on the e-board, summarize some of the attitudes about short films on display in the movie. Why do these filmmakers like working on short films so much? What might be some drawbacks to the form? 26

Five Things to Remember Go through the website, or virtual classroom, with care; know it well. Get to know your classmates. Keep up with all Lesson Tasks. Turn assignments in on time, written at a college level. Discuss with rigor & respect.

How do I get Started Writing and End of Lecture 1 Next Lecture: How do I get Started Writing and how do I Keep Going?