FILM 283 Directing I: Script Analysis for Directors
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Summary
Course Description:
Script Analysis informs a director’s creative decision-making. Through a series of practical exercises, students will learn the process of analyzing a script based on the film’s narrative elements. In doing so, they will uncover their unique vision for the story that aids in collaboration with cast and crew.
Course Objectives:
- Determine script structure (Inciting Incident, Turning Points, Climax) and Theme
- Examine Life and Scene Needs, Obstacles, and Subtext
- Break down the script from multiple angles
- Document the story’s Given Circumstances, Diegesis, and Character Arcs
- Construct Storyboards based on Scene Structure and Beats
- Discover one’s personal take on a story within the bounds of the script
Texts
- Get Out Script (PDF on D2L)
- “EF’s Visit to a Small Planet” (Essay on D2L)
- and then, you act by Anne Bogart
- How to Read a Play: Script Analysis for Directors by Damon Kiely
Grading
Grade Breakdown
In-Class Exercises 10%
Participation 10%.
Weekly Discussions (D2L Forum) 20%
Weekly Homework Assignments 60%
A: 100-93, A-: 92-90, B+: 89-88, B: 87-83, B-: 82-80, C+: 79-78, C: 77-73, C-: 72-70, D+: 69-68, D: 67-63, D-: 62-60, F: 59-0
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
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