Basis of cinematic structure, emphasizing action, construction, tension, and character. Story development through motion picture formats. 3 credits. This course is crosslisted with FILM 415. Credit at the 600-level requires additional work.

With emphasis on the narrative exploration of the television hour-drama, students develop and complete one hour-drama spec script. 3 credits. This course is crosslisted with FILM 418. Credit at the 600-level requires additional work. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits.

As a continuation of FILM 618, students explore the television situation comedy and develop and complete one sit-com script. 3 credits. This course is crosslisted with FILM 419. Credit at the 600-level requires additional work. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits.

Analytical study of screenplay structure based on the filmed script. Select motion pictures established as subject films studied in piece and in detail as to how the structure of each scene works as itself and in the film as whole. 3 credits.May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Graduate standing required.

Practical exploration of the working process between the screenwriter, the director and the producer. Focuses moving the screenplay from “writers” draft to “production” draft in preparation for shooting. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Graduate standing required.

Study of art and craft of writing a feature- length motion picture screenplay. Student completes a full-length (120 pages) screenplay or completes a thorough revision in workshop environment. 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of eighteen credits. Consent of instructor required.

Study of the art and craft of screenwriting in an ensemble. Students, as a group, complete four short screenplays and revisions. 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Consent of instructor required.

Study of adapting a screenplay from another written medium by writing a full-length (120-page) screenplay in accepted industry format. The screenplay must have a contemporary setting but source material must be at least 100 years old and in public domain. 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Consent of instructor required.

Study and practice of editing, rewriting and revising the creative work of other screenwriters. Students analyze precedent of revising know screenplays, rewrite a full-length script as a group and commit an individual rewrite of a full-length script. 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Consent of instructor required.

In-depth analytical study of a filmed script. Analysis ranges from the effects of a scripted visual technique to metaphor to personal and societal influences. Students write and present two analytical papers. 3 credits. Consent of instructor required.

Analytical study of motion pictures with focus on the screenwriter’s intent and agenda. Students conduct thorough research on screenwriters and provide analysis of the screenwriters’ product. Students present and defend two papers combining this research and analysis. Consent of instructor required.