Syllabus: Intro. to Screenwriting/AS.061.
205(01)/Spring 2021
Adam Rodgers/arodger7@[Link]/818-424-4810
Thursday 3:00-5:50PM EST & EDT (after 3/14)/via Zoom
CLASS FORMAT
Each week, our time together will comprise the following
categories:
Lecture: 30-45 minutes
Screening (clips, short films): 20 minutes
Writing Exercises: 30 minutes
Breaks: 10 minutes
Share Time/Table Reads: 75 minutes
LECTURE, WRITING & SHARING PLAN
Below, please find the schedule for each class’s lecture topic,
as well as what’s due and for which students:
Class #1 (1/28)
DUE: N/A
LECTURE: “Elements” and “Strategy, Process, & Philosophy” +
Writing Exercise #1 (begin in class)
SHARE: N/A
Class #2 (2/4)
DUE/SHARE: Treatment for 9 to 12-page screenplay (1,2,3) +
Screenplay Reflection Paper #1 (everyone)
LECTURE: “Structure”
Class #3 (2/11)
DUE/SHARE: Treatment for 9 to 12-page screenplay (4,5,6)
LECTURE: “Visual Storytelling I” + Writing Exercise #2 (begin in
class)
Class #4 (2/18)
DUE/SHARE: Treatment for 9 to 12-page screenplay (7,8,9) +
Screenplay Reflection Paper #2 (everyone)
LECTURE: “Visual Storytelling II”
Class #5 (2/25)
DUE/SHARE: Treatment for 9 to 12-page screenplay (10,11,12,13) +
Screenplay Reflection Paper #3 (everyone)
LECTURE: “Dialogue I” + Writing Exercise #3 (begin in class)
Class #6 (3/4)
DUE/SHARE: First draft screenplay/pages 1-6 (1,2,3)
LECTURE: “Dialogue II”
Class #7 (3/11)
DUE/SHARE: First draft screenplay/pages 1-6 (4,5,6)
LECTURE: “Theme”
Class #8 (3/18)
DUE/SHARE: First draft screenplay/pages 1-6 (7,8,9) + Screenplay
Reflection Paper #4 (everyone)
LECTURE: “P.O.V. I” + Writing Exercise #4 (begin in class)
Class #9 (3/25)
DUE/SHARE: First draft screenplay/pages 1-6 (10,11,12,13)
LECTURE: “P.O.V. II”
Class #10 (4/1)
DUE/SHARE: Full screenplay/pages 1-12 (1,2,3) + Screenplay
Reflection Paper #5 (everyone)
LECTURE: “Tone”
Class #11 (4/8)
DUE/SHARE: Full screenplay/pages 1-12 (4,5,6)
LECTURE: “Suspense, Surprise & Misdirects”
Class #12 (4/15)
DUE/SHARE: Full screenplay/pages 1-12 (7,8,9) + Writing Exercise
#5
LECTURE: “Rewriting I”
4/22: “SPRING BREAK” – NO CLASS!
Class #13 (4/29)
DUE: Full screenplay/pages 1-12 (10,11,12,13) + Screenplay
Reflection Paper #6
LECTURE: “Rewriting II” + Writing Exercise #6 (begin in class)
5/13: Last day of finals
DUE: Revised draft of screenplay + first draft of 1 additional
screenplay, either a 3-5 pager or a 9-12 pager.
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS
Every other week or so, I’ll be assigning one feature-length
screenplay for you to read. A link or PDF will be made available
the day after class, along with a question/prompt serving as the
focus for a 1-page reflection paper, to be submitted before the
next class.
ADDITIONAL READING
From time to time, I may send or recommend articles, books, blog
posts, etc. that may prove interesting or helpful to your
process.
GRADES
Attendance and participation: approximately 30% (includes
Writing Exercises)
Screenplay Reflection papers: approximately 20%
Treatments & Screenplays: 30% (10% for each of the 3 “share”
assignments)
“Final”: 20% (10% for the revised screenplay, 10% for the new
first draft)
Also required to pass the class: attend 2 FMS events (visiting
artists screenings)
POLICIES
Screenplay Reflection Papers due no later than Thursday at Noon
EST/EDT.
Treatments and Screenplay drafts due no later than the start of
class (3pm sharp EST/EDT).
Office hours – 3 or 4 slots per week (via phone); priority will
be given to students who will be sharing sooner rather than
later.
Not meeting a weekly assignment deadline on Thursday will result
in a zero for that week’s assignment grade…
… but half-credit will be restored if the assignment is
submitted via email to Adam by Saturday, no later than midnight
EST/EDT.
Students who miss their treatment or screenplay submission
deadlines may not get a chance to make-up their share time.
FROM JHU…
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The strength of the university depends on academic and personal integrity. In this course,
you must be honest and truthful. Ethical violations include cheating on exams, plagiarism,
reuse of assignments, improper use of the Internet and electronic devices, unauthorized
collaboration, alteration of graded assignments, forgery and falsification, lying, facilitating
academic dishonesty, and unfair competition.
Report any violations you witness to the instructor. You may consult the associate dean of
student conduct (or designee) by calling the Office of the Dean of Students at 410-516-8208
or via email at integrity@[Link]. For more information, see the Homewood Student Affairs
site on academic ethics: ([Link]
or the e-catalog entry on the undergraduate academic ethics board: ([Link]
students/student-life-policies/#UAEB)."
DISABILITY SERVICES
Any student with a disability who may need accommodations in this class must obtain an
accommodation letter from Student Disability Services, 385 Garland, (410) 516-4720,
studentdisabilityservices@[Link]"
ANXIETY, STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH
If you are struggling with anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health related concerns,
please consider visiting the JHU Counseling Center. If you are concerned about a friend, please
encourage that person to seek out their services. The Counseling Center is located at 3003 North
Charles Street in Suite S-200 and can be reached at 410-516-8278 and online at
[Link]
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