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Lecture 1a:IntroductionLecture 1a:Introduction

Professor Daniel Cutrara

                                                      

Syriana (2005)Robert Baer (novel)

Stephen Gaghan (screenplay)

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Professor Daniel CutraraProfessor Daniel Cutrara• Assistant Professor,

Film and Media Studies, Arizona State University

• M.F.A., Cinema & TV, USC• Teaches courses in Screenwriting;

Story Analysis; Religion and Film.

Lecture Hint: Pause the lecture and click on one of the hyperlinks (text that is underlined). Return to the lecture after you have visited the site.

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In This LessonIn This Lesson

• What kind of distance learning course is this?

• How can you succeed in this course?

• What is the course about?

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

Lesson 1a: Part I

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Written by Roald Dahl(book) and John August (screenplay)

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A Unique Distance Learning A Unique Distance Learning ExperienceExperience

• This is not an automated course.• This is not a self-paced course.• This course emphasizes interactivity:

• Asynchronous • Synchronous

• Participation is to your success!• Threaded Discussions on the eBoard

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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• Clips

• 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

• 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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Online EvaluationOnline Evaluation

Pause the lecture and take the Self-Evaluation of Online Students. It will help you better understand how your learning style meets the demands of this environment.

Juno (2007)

Written by Diablo Cody

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How How to to

Succeed Succeed in in

This CourseThis Course

Lesson 1a: Part II

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How do We Define Success?How do We Define Success?

• Improving your ability to analyze story.• Learning how to write studio coverage.• Leaving the course with a treatment or

development notes.• Becoming more adept at giving and taking

constructive criticism on the Eboard. • Getting a high grade: A or B

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Course OrganizationCourse Organization

• Each lesson contains:Each lesson contains:• Readings • Reading Review• Lecture• Interactivity (Discussion Board)• Clips

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Forms of InteractivityForms of Interactivity• Threaded discussions on the eBoard with classmates and professor• Office Hours (if possible)• Online Chats with professor• E-mail

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Click (2006)

Written by Steve Koren and Mark O’Keefe

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How We Will EngageHow We Will Engage

• We will engage with passion and rigor. • We will be respectful of each other.• We will keep in mind that our goal is to

help one another develop the skills necessary to compete in the film and television business.

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What is the Course About?What is the Course About?

Lesson 1a: Part III

The Player (1992)

Michael Tolkin (novel) Michael Tolkin (screenplay)

The LessonsThe Lessons

• We will develop the necessary skills for story development.– The Exercises

• We will learn the business of the story analyst.– Writing Coverage

• We will build on what we learn.– The Final Project

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End of Lecture 1aEnd of Lecture 1a

Next Lecture: Tracking the Story

Transformers (2007)Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman

(screenplay)