SCWR 370 Creating From Abundance
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Summary
This course lays the foundation for successful improvisation in the current Chicago style, starting with the formation of the ensemble and exploring various elements of the creative process in comedic storytelling. Students experience what it means to be part of the greater whole, create freely without self-judgment, and develop fundamental tools of play that will make them better communicators and filmmakers. These creative tools will be used for pitches, ideation and creation of comedic stories.
Course Overview:
· Structured activities around individual and group experiential play, discovery, character development, with thoughtful discourse among students and the instructor on improv philosophy, curated archive scenes and its application to film and storytelling.
· Each class implements a creative (communication) tool, assigned reading, journal reflection, interview, and/or archive scene for reflective response and deconstruction.
· Students are challenged to develop a variety of ideas into comedic premises and sketches that explore their unique voice, development of characters, relationships,and topical ideas while exploring their humor and sensibility, that highlights their voice and truth
· A final project culminates with a group presentation that includes a show running order, original written blackouts, sketches and choice of scenic games.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion, students will be able to:
· Understand and identify the fundamentals of improvisation in comedic scenes
· Recognize the building blocks of a comedic premise and sketch
· Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and move scenic ideas forward
· Create characters and relationships that represent point of view and perspective
· Construct and pitch simple scenic writing ideas using improv strategies
· Identify and develop comedic tools and scenic games in storytelling
Texts
There is no required textbook although readings, scripts, and screenings will be a regular part of the class. Copies will be provided by the instructor on D2L.
Grading
Grading:
Class Attendance 10%
Collaboration and Participation 15%
Show Performance 20%
Weekly Pitches, Improvised Assignments 15%
Paper 1 - 20%
Paper 2 - 20%
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