RTV 3101
Advanced Writing for the Electronic Media
France Summer 2009
Instructor
Andy Selepak
Weimer G035
Course overview & objectives
This course is designed to provide an overview of the principles of scriptwriting, and to learn to apply these principles through practical exercises in various programs: commercials, film, and television genres such as comedy and drama.
This is a seminar-type course with an emphasis on writing. As a class we will discuss, critique and work together to complete assignments including the final group project.
How the class works
This class meets for less than a month while we are in France, so the course requires you to do work both before we depart and after we return. This spring semester before we leave, you should purchase and read the required text. The text is listed below, and you can purchase them through any online book seller. In addition, we will meet once before we leave as a group to decide on a final project. This idea does not have to be set-in-stone but it will act as a guide for your future work in the class.
Read the text completely before we leave the U.S. When we arrive in France, we will begin to meet regularly as a seminar group to discuss the book and address how the information contained in them can be applied now and in your future career. Some out-of-class exercises will be assigned. Within two weeks of when we return, you will email your final group’s project to demonstrate the knowledge you have learned.
Course materials
Anthony Friedman, Writing for Visual Media, second edition New York: Focal Press, 2006.
Grading
Some writing assignments will be team assignments. All members of the team will be expected to participate equally. There will be no “team leader.” Each team member will receive the same grade based on the material submitted by the team.
Writing in media is rarely a solo endeavor. This may be the first time you’ve been asked to collaborate in your writing. The objective of this course is to simulate the way you will be required to work in the “real world” setting. TEAMWORK IS ESSENTIAL – if you have a problem with your partner(s), it’s up to the team to work it out.
Participation 10%
Commercial 10%
Pilot/film proposal 20%
Character Sketches 10%
Final project/Film script 50%
Punctuality is most important in this industry. Late assignments will be penalized by one letter grade per day. We will only meet a limited number of times in France. If you miss class it will cost you one letter grade off your final grade. No exceptions! If you are late to class it will cost you half a letter grade off your final grade.
Prerequisites
A grade of C or better in RTV 2100 and RTV 3000, as well as junior standing in Telecommunication.
Writing Assignments
I will provide guidelines for each writing assignment as it approaches. I will let you know what I’m grading on, as the criteria will (obviously) change depending on the assignment.
Creativity is hard to measure. Each assignment will be judged on its own merit. That said, I encourage creativity. Establish your own voice. It’s the ONLY way to get noticed in a competitive environment.
Naturally, plagiarism and any form of cheating are unacceptable. If I find you’ve cheated – on any assignment – you will be dismissed from the course.
University Honor Code
The University of Florida has a standardized code for instructors which states:
We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and
our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
As students, you have a commitment to academic honesty as well, and it is as follows:
I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all of their
academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and
understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary
action, up to and including expulsion from the university.
There are six specific types of violations of the Academic Honesty Guidelines: cheating, plagiarism, bribery, misrepresentation, conspiracy and fabrication.
Take this commitment to academic honesty and integrity seriously.
Addendums and Changes
During this course, I reserve the right to amend and change the syllabus, readings, calendar, and assignments. If I change a date and you miss the announcement because you were absent you may not make up that assignment.