1 Lecture 1a: Introduction Professor Daniel Cutrara

2 Professor Daniel Cutrara Assistant Professor, Film and Media Studies, Arizona State UniversityFilm and Media Studies M.F.A., Cinema & TV, USC Teaches courses in Screenwriting; Story Analysis; Religion and Film. Lecture Hint: Pause the lecture and click on one of the hyperlinks (text that is underlined). Return to the lecture after you have visited the site.

3 In This Lesson What kind of distance learning course is this? How can you succeed in this course? What is the course about?

4 What Kind of Distance Learning Course is This? Lesson 1a: Part I Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Written by Roald Dahl(book) and John August (screenplay)

5 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

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

7 The Disadvantages Students that learn best through face-to- face debate can struggle in this environment. -Ways to compensate -Arrange for 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

8 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.Self-Evaluation of Online Students Juno (2007) Written by Diablo Cody

9 How to Succeed in This Course Lesson 1a: Part II

10 How do We Define Success? Improving your craft as a writer. Understanding more what it means for you to write. Leaving the course with a feature length script. Becoming more adept at giving and taking constructive criticism in workshop and discussion. Getting a high grade: A or B

11 Course Organization Each lesson contains:Each lesson contains: -Reading -Reading Review -Lecture -Interactivity (Discussion eBoard) -Clips 11

12 Forms of Interactivity Threaded discussions on the eBoard with classmates and professor Office Hours (if possible) Online Chats with professor 12 Click (2006) Written by Steve Koren and Mark O’Keefe

13 How We Will Engage We will engage with passion and rigor. We will be respectful of each other. We will keep in mind that our goal is to help one another become the best writers that we can be.

14 What is the Course About? Lesson 1a: Part III Ernest Hemingway “The first draft of anything is shit.”

15 The Lessons We will engage more deeply with the craft of story telling. We will overcome the challenges of writing a second act. We will consider the business of writing as a career.

16 End of Lecture 1a Next Lecture: Conflict The Constant Gardener (2005) John Le Carre (novel) and Jeffrey Caine (screenplay)