ZUR393m Films - writing the screen outline

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2015
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Richard Milner (lecturer)
Mgr. Pavel Sedláček (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Jiří Pavelka, CSc.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Bc. Pavlína Brabcová
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 14 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The main aim of the subject: Students will be able to understand more how film screenwriting is accomplished. They will gain an insight into the world of making well-known American films.
Syllabus
  • ASSIGNMENTS: three outlines and viewing of all films, one before each class. TEXTS: Story by Robert McKee. FILM LIST: The Kid Stays In The Picture – Brett Morgen from memoir by Robert Evans. The Graduate – Calder Willingham. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – William Goldman. Point Break – W. Peter Iliff. Annie Hall – Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman. Chinatown – Robert Towne. Jackie Brown – Quentin Tarantino – adapted from Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch. Breaking Bad (Episodes 12, 12 and 13) – Vince Gilligan and team. CLASROOM: Using examples from the film list, Milner will give lectures on the following with remaining class time dedicated to student participation and mutual assistance under Milner’s guidance. GENRES - overview, viewer expectation and the importance of writing within genres. THEME - deciding what the film should be about. Culture in America - at the time. CHARACTERS – understanding the difference between a character and a person, character description and the importance of contrast. PLOT – three-act compared to other forms with and without subplots, the turning point, act climaxes, and the power of withholding information. OUTLINE – Describing the scenes and the action in a card file stack first. DIALOGUE – beats. SCENE TROUBLESHOOTING – scene imperatives. SCREENWRITES GUILD – why it exists. Project registration. DISCUSSION of Copyright, Agents, Producers, Directors, Production Package, Attorneys, and Career Routes.
Teaching methods
film screening, presentation, class discussion
Assessment methods
Students are expected to attend (100%) classes. Assignments: three outlines and viewing of all films, one before each class.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is taught: in blocks.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2015/ZUR393m