In this
course you will study and practice the very different disciplines of writing
fiction and crafting screenplays. For the former you will produce (among other
things) a short story, and for the latter you will create the blueprint for a
short film.
Because
writers are always readers, we will read and discuss some important
contemporary short fictions from Hawai`i and its contributing cultures. Technical
analysis of characterization, narrative structure, pace, dialogue, setting and
voice will provide points of departure for experimental exercises. Over several
weeks you will draft (write, workshop, revise, edit) an eight-page piece of
fiction.
In the
latter half of the course we will watch a range of short films from the Pacific
and Asia from the point of view of narrative craft. We will consider what kinds
of stories tell well on screen. You will work on developing your own short
screenplay through stages, from Concept to Final Draft. To enable this, we will
cover the conventions of screenplay format. You will be encouraged to take
resources into account and write a screenplay that can be shot locally on
videocam.
We will
finish the semester with a week-long study of three-act feature film structure.
This
course aims to help you to:
* develop a habit of writing
*
try out a range of techniques in writing prose for adults
* produce
a drafted piece of writing
* cultivate
an awareness of literature and film within culture
* read
the visual language of film
*
imagine your own narratives visually
* learn
the process of drafting a screenplay
* learn
screenwriting format
* write
a short screenplay that you can produce yourself
*
practice the methods and vocabularies of the writing workshop
and script meeting
Required texts:
Dan
Gurskis, The Short Screenplay: Your Short
Film From Concept to Production. Thomson, 2007. ISBN-13-978-15986-33382 (Available Revolution Books, 2626 South King
St, between Puck’s Alley and 7-11)
Eng 313 (02/03)
Fiction/Screenplay Reader (available from MaPS printing service, Castle Annex, University
Ave, Lab School lower campus).