SCWR 353 Writing the Hour-Long Television Series
Summary
In this course, students analyze hour-long dramatic teleplays and examines the storytelling techniques necessary to write an hour-long television dramatic series with an emphasis on characterization and structure. This course also features a specific focus on successful dramatic predecessors, various formats of hour-long drama teleplays, and the definition and significance of "show bibles". Students will create an original hour-long pilot.
Texts
Writing the TV Drama Series: How to Succeed as a Professional Writer in TV by Pamela Douglas ISBN13: 9781615932931
Writing the Pilot by William Rabkin
Grading
Final grades will be based on the development of a Pitch Brief and Bible, an Outline and a TV Pilot, class participation and attitude. Because it has to present shows on time every hour of every day, television is one of the most demanding industries. This charge carries over to those who are preparing for it, which is why missed deadlines without prior approval from me will result in assignment failure.
Loglines – 5%
Pitch Brief – 15%:
Beat Sheet – 5%
Series Bible – 15%
Outline – 15%
Pilot First Draft – 30%
Participation – 15%
All assignments must be typed and free of grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors. It's your work; you're responsible for its quality. All Scenes and Scripts must be in proper Screenwriting format.
Prerequisites
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
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create an original one-hour drama pilot
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develop a series bible to showcase the unique tone and tenor of the show
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analyze the current market for one-hour drama series on network, cable, and streaming services
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assemble a practical episode outline for the one-hour drama series pilot
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evaluate the work of their peers and formulate helpful feedback
Required Software
Final Draft or comparable screenwriting software such as Celtx, Highland (only for Mac), WriterDuet, and Fade In.
Week to Week
WEEK 1
TV Basics, Writing Pilots, Is It a TV Show? Structure Recap
ASSIGNMENTS:
3-5 loglines for TV show ideas
Pilot Reading and Analysis
WEEK 2
Pilot Stories, Story Structure, Fundamentals of Drama
Pitching
ASSIGNMENTS:
Verbal and Pitch Brief
Screening and Analysis
WEEK 3
In-Class Pitches
Character Building -- Main, Supporting, Ensembles
Beat Sheets
ASSIGNMENTS:
Beat Sheet
Start Bible
Screening for Discussion: Friday Night Lights
WEEK 4
Formal Outlines, Scene Construction, First Drafts
ASSIGNMENTS:
Stranger Things Reading Analysis
Screening: TBD
Turn Beat Sheet into Outline
WEEK 5
Advanced Character Work -- Plot X Character
Homework:
Finalize Outline
Screen / Read
WEEK 6
Teaser + Act One
Workshop: Outlines
Assignment: Write Act I
WEEK 7
Act II + Story Bibles
Assign: Write Act II
Future: Bibles
WEEK 8
Act III
Workshop: Act II
Assign: Write Act III
WEEK 9
Lecture: Working on a Pilot (Studio)
Workshop - Act III
ASSIGN: Final Script and Final Bible Due Finals Week
WEEK 10
Revisions...where do you go from here?
Assign: Get to the finish line!
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.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296