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Lecture 1a:Lecture 1a:IntroductionIntroduction

Professor Daniel Cutrara

                                                      

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Professor Daniel CutraraProfessor Daniel Cutrara• Assistant Professor,

Film and Media Studies, Arizona State University

• 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.

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In This LessonIn This Lesson

• What kind of distance learning course is this?

• How can you succeed in this course?

• What is the course about?

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What Kind of Distance What Kind of Distance Learning Course is This?Learning Course is This?

Lesson 1a: Part I

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Written by Roald Dahl(book) and John August (screenplay)

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A Unique Distance Learning A Unique Distance Learning ExperienceExperience

• 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

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The Advantages of this CourseThe 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

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The DisadvantagesThe 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

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Online EvaluationOnline 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

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How to Succeed in This CourseHow to Succeed in This Course

Lesson 1a: Part II

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How do We Define Success?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

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Course OrganizationCourse Organization

• Each lesson contains:Each lesson contains:- Reading

- Reading Review

- Lecture

- Interactivity (Discussion eBoard)

- Clips

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Forms of InteractivityForms of Interactivity

• Threaded discussions on the eBoard with classmates and professor

• Office Hours (if possible)• Online Chats with professor• E-mail

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Click (2006)

Written by Steve Koren and Mark O’Keefe

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How We Will EngageHow 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.

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What is the Course About?What is the Course About?

Lesson 1a: Part III

Ernest Hemingway

““The first draft of The first draft of anything is shit.”anything is shit.”

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The LessonsThe 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.

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End of Lecture 1aEnd of Lecture 1a

Next Lecture: Conflict

The Constant Gardener (2005)

John Le Carre (novel) and Jeffrey Caine (screenplay)