Discipline: Broadcasting Technology (Film/Television) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Film/Television 70


COURSE DESCRIPTION
70 Scriptwriting Software Using Final Draft Units: 1.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
Skill development in the use of scriptwriting software, Final Draft and Final Draft AV for television, film, audiovisual, and stage production. Includes introduction to the structure and key elements of script formats used in television, film, stage, documentary and audiovisual production. May be taken a total of two times. 18 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Skill development in the use of scriptwriting software, Final Draft and Final Draft AV for television, film, audiovisual, and stage production.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Utilize Final Draft and Final Draft AV to professionally format 
      scripts for a variety of media and live production types.

2.   Identify and describe characteristics of script formats used for 
      films, television episodics, news, documentaries, industrial film 
      and stage plays.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Present class lectures in order to introduce students to a variety of script types and formatting.  Relate the characteristics of each of the following productions to the elements and format requirements of its scripts.   Characteristics of productions may include production purpose, method used to present production (live, film, television, and video) and length.
    1. Screenplays
    2. Television episodics
    3. Documentaries
    4. News
    5. Industrial films
    6. Stage plays

Students are also assigned reading, writing and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Demonstrate a variety of production scripts.  This may be accomplished by sharing samples of scripts, by duplicating handouts that include parts of a variety of scripts, or through web explorations.
  • Demonstrate the features of Final Draft and Final Draft AV using computer and data projector. 
    3. Engage students in skill-building exercises that reinforce use of the features.
  • Assign individual and group projects to give students experience in group collaboration and scriptwriting in a simulated production project environment.  Since students in the class come from different backgrounds and scriptwriting interests, allow students to produce scripts that relate to interests and/or studies.  Give students an opportunity to use critical analysis to make decisions about the form and content of the script.    
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Students’ performance on practical exercises that demonstrate the ability to select appropriate script formats and to complete tasks utilizing functions of Final Draft and Final Draft AV. 
  • Quizzes and exams that assess students’ retention of characteristics of a variety of production types and related script requirements.  
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Possible texts include:

    1. Final Draft User's Manual
    2. Final Draft AV User's Manual
    3. Haag, Judith. The Complete Guide to Script Formats, Part I, II
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