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Our Textbook

Lecture 1a:Lecture 1a:Taking an Online Course Taking an Online Course

& Course Introduction& Course Introduction

Professor Christopher Bradley

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Christopher BradleyChristopher Bradley• Instructor, Film and Media Studies,

Arizona State University• I Teach Courses in Screenwriting and

Story Analysis• MFA in Screenwriting (UCLA), BFA in

Theatre (Texas Christian University)• I have also been a professional actor

for many years• I am currently at work on both a short

film and a screenplay

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In This LessonIn This Lesson

• What kind of distance learning course is this?

• How can you succeed?

• Assignments• What do we study

in this course?

The Exorcist (1973)

Donnie Darko (2001)

What Kind of Distance What Kind of Distance Learning Course Is This?Learning Course Is This?

Lesson 1a: Part I4

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For Starters…For Starters…

• It’s Not an Automated Course• It’s Not a Self-Paced Course• This Course Emphasizes Interactivity

– Asynchronous

• Participation is Fundamental to the Success of Our Course – Discussion Board

Hint: Take the Self-Evaluation of Online Students. It will help you better understand how your learning style meets the demand of this environment.

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The Advantages of this CourseThe Advantages of this Course

• Flexibility… Not Limited by Space• Study Materials Available 24/7

– Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint)– Websites & Other Resources– Media Clips– Interactive discussion board

• Structured Like a Traditional Course• Complements Multiple Learning Styles• Lots of Interactivity

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The DisadvantagesThe Disadvantages

• Students that learn best through face-to-face debate can struggle in this environment.– Ways to Compensate– Arrange for Real-Time Meetings with

Classmates and Your Professor

• Students that are not well organized tend to not do well in this environment.– Meet all Deadlines– Study in Advance of Assignments

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How to Succeed (get an “A”) in How to Succeed (get an “A”) in This CourseThis Course

Lesson 1a: Part II

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Course OrganizationCourse Organization

• Lessons Contain:– Screenings– Readings – Reading Reviews– Websites– Lectures– Interactivity (Discussion Board)– Media Clips

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Forms of Interactivity Forms of Interactivity

• Threaded Discussions on the eBoard

• Office Hours (if possible)• Online Chats or Phone

Conversations with Your Professor

• E-mail

Guidelines for the ClassGuidelines for the Class

• To Study Art We Must Debate

• Discussing Art Doesn’t Require Being Disrespectful or Insensitive

• I expect us to discuss art with passion and perspective

• I expect us to challenge each other’s perception of art with rigor and respect

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AssignmentsAssignments

Lesson 1a: Part III

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AssignmentsAssignments

• There are three major assignments for the course which total 75% of your grade.

• What you turn in will:– Demonstrate an understanding of the text– Demonstrate an understanding of both story

and structure– Demonstrate proper screenwriting format– Be due to me via e-mail– No late assignments!

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Assignment (Continued)Assignment (Continued)

• You will do well on the assignments if you take good notes during the lectures, keep up with the readings, take the reading reviews, watch the media clips and participate rigorously on the eBoard.

• It will be very difficult for you to do well if you get behind!

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Assignment #1Assignment #1

• You will write a 5-page (at least) treatment

• Single Spaced

• Structure guide and diagram should be followed

• The form of these assignments will be made clear in the syllabus and the Learning Tasks section.

Assignment #2Assignment #2

• The first 10 pages of your screenplay posted on the eboard

• Give your fellow students feedback on their screenplays

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Assignment #3Assignment #3

• The first 30 pages of your screenplay• Includes the first 10 pages you have

already written, although those need to be re-written based on feedback

• A one-page report on what feedback you incorporated into your screenplay and why; and why you didn’t use other feedback.

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Participation Participation

• Participation is about 25% of Your Final Grade

• Your Participation Grade is Based On:– Keeping Up with Discussion Board Posts – Quality of Posts – Being on time with your posts

You will do well in this class if you participate consistently, and with rigor and respect!

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What Do We Study in This What Do We Study in This Class?Class?

Lesson1a: Part IV What’s Up, Doc? (1972) directed by Peter Bogdanovich

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Two Aspects to Every Two Aspects to Every Great ScreenplayGreat Screenplay

• Strong Story• Solid Structure• The two are

inextricable – you can’t have one without the other.

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Screenplay StructureScreenplay Structure• Opening Hook• Ordinary World• Inciting Incident• New World/New Rules• Mid-Point• Big Pit• Climax• Resolution

(Not all films have all aspects, in this order, but these are the basics of most film stories.)

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Film ContentFilm Content• Genre

• Representation

– Race and Ethnicity

– Class

– Gender and Sexuality

• All films are created by people and are therefore historical, subjective & political. 22

Other Course TopicsOther Course Topics

• Theme• Exposition• Composition• Re-Writing

Citizen Kane (1941) Directed by Orson Welles

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Seven Things to Remember Seven Things to Remember

• Go through the Website, or Virtual Classroom, with Care; Know it Well

• Study the Syllabus Well• Get to Know Your Classmates• Keep up with all Lesson Tasks• Turn Assignments in on Time, Written

at a College Level• Discuss with Rigor & Respect• Enjoy yourself! It’s film, after all!

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End of Lecture 1aEnd of Lecture 1a

Next Lecture:

Getting Started: Storytelling