Maricopa Community Colleges  ENG211   19932-99999 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 11/24/92
ENG211 19932-99999 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Screenwriting
Principles and techniques necessary in planning, researching, and writing screenplays. May be repeated for a total of six (6) credit hours with approval of instructor. Prerequisites: ENG101 and ENG102 with a grade of "C" or better or permission of instructor.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
ENG211   19932-99999 Screenwriting
1. Review the history of dramaturgy from Aristotle, Shakespeare, and others to the present. (I)
2. Define the concepts of comedy, romance, tragedy, and irony. (I)
3. Explain the relationships between cinematic and literary genres and archetypal patterns and myths. (I)
4. Apply the principles of good writing, including focus, strategy, and specific detail, to writing for the screen. (II)
5. Define and analyze mechanics and correct format to follow in preparing screenplays for marketing. (II)
6. Provide guidance in character development, and explain the importance of character development to all stories. (III)
7. Define the need and importance of pacing, poetry, and rythm and dialogue. (III)
8. Explain and define the need for dramatic tension in various arcs: scene, character, act, etc. (III)
9. Provide guidance in developing character outlines, plot outlines, and screenplay outlines. (IV)
10. Analyze the structure and conventions of the three-act screenplay. (IV)
11. Explain the process of marketing screenplays and the roles of professionals involved in the process. (V)
12. Identify copyright laws that govern the publication of screenplays. (V)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
ENG211   19932-99999 Screenwriting
    I. Background and History of Dramaturgy
        A. Aristotle, Shakespeare, and Others
        B. Modern Screenwriters
        C. Genres/Archetypal Patterns
          1. Comedy
          2. Romance
          3. Tragedy
          4. Irony
      II. Principles of Good Writing
          A. The Big Three
            1. Focus
            2. Strategy
            3. Details
          B. The Importance of Rewriting
          C. Writing in Correct Format
            1. Screenplay Formatting
            2. Computer Use in Screenwriting
        III. Principles of Good Storytelling
            A. The Classic Five-Part Narrative Structure
              1. Inciting Incident
              2. Progressive Complications
              3. Crises and Suspense
              4. Climax
              5. Resolution
            B. Character Development
              1. Create Character with a Past
              2. Keeping Character Consistently Inconsistent
              3. Character Arcs
              4. Writing Effective Dialogue
          IV. Principles of Good Screenwriting
              A. Preliminaries
                1. Character Biographies
                2. Character Outlines
                3. Treatments
                4. Screenplay Outlines
              B. The Three-Act Screenplay
                1. Act I
                2. Act II
                3. Act III
            V. The Business of Screenwriting
                A. Marketing Screenplays
                  1. The "Pitch"
                  2. Agents, Lawyers, Studios, etc.
                B. Copyright Laws
                  1. Writers Guild of America
                  2. Alternatives
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