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Our Textbook

Lecture 1a:Lecture 1a:Taking an Online Course Taking an Online Course

& Course Introduction& Course Introduction

Professor Christopher Bradley

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Christopher BradleyChristopher Bradley• Instructor, Film and Media Studies,

Arizona State University• I Teach Courses in Screenwriting and

Story Analysis• MFA in Screenwriting (UCLA), BFA in

Theatre (Texas Christian University)• I have also been a professional actor

for many years• I am currently at work on both a short

film and a screenplay

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In This LessonIn This Lesson

• What kind of distance learning course is this?

• How can you succeed?

• Assignments• What do we study

in this course?

The Exorcist (1973)

Donnie Darko (2001)

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

Lesson 1a: Part I4

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For Starters…For Starters…

• It’s Not an Automated Course• It’s Not a Self-Paced Course• This Course Emphasizes Interactivity• Participation is Fundamental to the

Success of Our Course – Discussion Board

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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)– Interactive discussion board

• 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 discussion can struggle in this environment.– Ways to compensate, such as arranging real-

time meetings with classmates and your professor

• Students that are not well organized tend to not do well in this environment.– Meet your deadlines!

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How to Succeed (get an “A”) in How to Succeed (get an “A”) in This CourseThis Course

Lesson 1a: Part II

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Course OrganizationCourse Organization

• Lessons Contain:– Lectures– Interactivity (Discussion Board)

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Guidelines for the ClassGuidelines for the Class• Give notes that are respectful, sensitive

and that inspire!

• Turn your weekly pages in on time, every time.

• Provide your notes for your partner on time, every time.

• Turn in your completed screenplay, having formed and shaped it based on the feedback you’ve received. 10

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AssignmentsAssignments

Lesson 1a: Part III

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Listen to the LecturesListen to the Lectures

• Yes, you’ve taken a screenwriting course before, but mastery is about knowing and re-knowing the fundamentals!

• The lectures will be short and will make your work for the week easier!

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Participation Participation

• Participation (including feedback) is 50% of Your Final Grade

• Your Participation Grade is Based On:– Keeping Up with Discussion Board Posts – Quality of Posts and Feedback– Being on time with your posts

You will do well in this class if you participate on time, with quality posts and feedback!

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Participation (Cont.)Participation (Cont.)

• What you post and the feedback you give will:– Demonstrate proper screenwriting format– Demonstrate an understanding of quality story,

structure and character– Demonstrate an ability to recognize these in

the writing of your fellow students

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AssignmentsAssignments

• Your final screenplay will count as the other 50% of your grade.

• It will be very difficult for you to do well if you get behind! Finish early!

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Assignments (continued)Assignments (continued)• You will create a logline (where you tell the

entirety of your story in 3-4 sentences).

• You will write a 2 page (single-spaced) treatment. Keep it simple and concise!

• You will write a screenplay of 90-110 pages, 15 pages at a time, while giving feedback to your fellow students.

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What Do We Study in This What Do We Study in This Class?Class?

Lesson1a: Part IV What’s Up, Doc? (1972) directed by Peter Bogdanovich

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Three Aspects of Every Three Aspects of Every Great ScreenplayGreat Screenplay

• Strong Story• Solid Structure

(These two are inextricable – you can’t have one without the other!)

• Believable, multi-dimensional characters

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Screenplay StructureScreenplay Structure• Opening Hook• Ordinary World• Inciting Incident• New World/New Rules• Mid-Point• Big Pit• Climax• Resolution

(Not all films have all aspects, in this order, but these are the basics of most film stories.)

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Be Aware of Film ContentBe Aware of Film Content• Genre

• Representation

– Race and Ethnicity

– Class

– Gender and Sexuality

• All films are created by people and are therefore historical, subjective & political.

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Other Course AspectsOther Course Aspects

• Theme• Exposition• Composition• Re-Writing

Citizen Kane (1941) Directed by Orson Welles

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Seven Things to Remember Seven Things to Remember

• Go through the Website, or Virtual Classroom, with Care; Know it Well

• Study the Syllabus 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• Enjoy yourself! It’s film, after all!

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End of Lecture 1aEnd of Lecture 1a

Please continue to Lecture 1b,

Your Logline