FINAL PROJECT

Hello, class,

Remember, your mission is to write a treatment and outline of a feature-length story, complete with logline and character biographies / descriptions. Revise the drafts that you have already turned in with the feedback from your peers/ fresh insights in mind.

Five pages is the maximum length (double spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman or Courier).

YOUR FINAL PROJECT INCLUDES STORYBOARDS. THERE SHOULD BE A MINIMUM OF ONE PAGE PER ACT . These don't have to be fancy (although I know many of your are exceptional artists). Stick figures are fine so long as they convey the story/POV.

Also remember:

• You can receive 1/2 credit (5 points) for making up those posts between now and next week in the "Make-Up" section of the blog (above).
  
• You may choose additional chapters from either Story or Adventures in the Screen Trade and blog on them for extra-credit of 5 points each.

Please blog any questions you have or feel free to email me.

Best,

Mariah

Week IX

Greetings, class!

Hopefully, in between Thanksgiving stuffings, you completed the treatment draft of the first act of your feature. Now, the REAL work begins! Act II!

For homework:

• Write a draft of Act II for your final project, with storyboard, and bring it to class printed out. In preparation to write it, break it into two parts, the midpoint at the center. Create approximately fourteen bullet points of scenes that take place before/after the midpoint.
• Remember the format and grammar lessons we reviewed in class.

Recommended reading:

Story, Chapter 12, Composition

Have wonderful week!

~Mariah

Extra Credit Post

Post your extra-credit blogs here via the comment link below. Extra-credit is granted for reading a chapter of your choice from Story or Adventure in the Screen Trade and blogging on it. You may also receive extra-credit for ready the screenplay Chinatown. Define the plot-points in a given act. You will receive 5 points of credit for each act.

Blog Make-Up Spot

You may post your make-up blogs in the comments section below. They are worth 1/2 credit (5 points) each.

Week VIII

Wow!

Time is flying, isn't it? Now that you have completed your short story package, it is time to start contemplating your final project. Your mission is to write a treatment and outline of a feature-length story, complete with logline and character biographies / descriptions. This is no small task, so resist the temptation to procrastinate over these last few weeks.

Now, I don't expect you to come up with an Academy Award winning concept. A "B-movie" is fine. However, I do want to see that you have processed the process outlined in the movie we watched with Syd Field and from your reading throughout the course. The treatment does not need to be extensive. Think along the lines of coverage with the exception that it will be broken down into a three-act structure. Five pages is the maximum length (double spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman or Courier).

YOUR FINAL PROJECT INCLUDES STORYBOARDS. THERE SHOULD BE A MINIMUM OF ONE PAGE PER ACT (use the templates you downloaded). These don't have to be fancy (although I know many of your are exceptional artists). Stick figures are fine so long as they convey the story/POV.

For homework:

• Write a draft of Act I for your final project, with storyboard, and bring it to class printed out. It should be about one page long. It should include character intros (in ALL CAPS the FIRST TIME ONLY) and give the reader (me!) an understanding of what the plot is.
• Ready Story, Structure and Genre.
• Choose a chapter in Adventures of the Screen Trade (yes, YOUR choice).
• Blog on both.

This is your last week of blogging! However-if you have failed to post previous blogs (worth 10 points each):

• You can receive 1/2 credit (5 points) for making up those posts between now and week 11 in the "Make-Up" section of the blog (above).
• You may choose additional chapters from either Story or Adventures in the Screen Trade and blog on them for extra-credit of 5 points each.

Week VII

Hello, Class,

First off, let me say I am very impressed with your midterms (and very proud). I know it was challenging, but now you know you can do it.

For homework:

• Read Story, Ch. 5 Story Structure and Character
• Adventures in the Screen Trade, Ch. 4 & 5
• Complete your five minute short script that you began two weeks ago. Turn in your treatment, character descriptions, and script (stapled). It should be in the narrative format.

If you didn't download the script templates, here is the site where you can:

http://www.media-academy.net/yacco/templates/index.htm

Have fun!

Truly,
Mariah

WEEK VI

Greetings, Class,

This week, we continue reading and blogging.

Read Story, Chapter 10 and Adventures in Screen Trade, the Strengths of the Screenplay.

Homework:
Read a one hour drama from the website link below (in week V) and write your own character descriptions and plot points. Print it out and bring it to class (stapled please).

You should have a short story identified by now. Next week you will outline an adaptation for it and turn it in Week 8.