Course syllabus

Screen 302 

Convenor: Brendan Donovan| bc.donovan@auckland.ac.nz  | x82074 | Rm 520, level 5, HSB | Office hrs: Thurs 1.30-4pm – but please make an appointment prior.

Snr Technician: Peter Simpson | pj.simpson@auckland.ac.nz |  x86657 (HSB, 5th Floor)

Editing Support: Martin Hansen | m.hansen@auckland.ac.nz |  x84596 (Arts 1)

Course Overview

Screen 302 is a course about creating scripted narratives for television or for the web. We conceive, write, and produce a narrative of three episodes, for release on the web – each episode being a maximum of 6 minutes long.

Students will be introduced to the processes of idea generation, pitching, script development, casting, set etiquette, lighting, shot selection and composition (with limited work on directing actors). This is an intensive, workshop-style production class. All assignments are in groups, just as all industry-generated web series and television shows are created by groups. Creative collaboration is a key skill that this course encourages you to develop.

The class is divided into three groups. Each group will develop and pitch ideas for a web series, to industry professionals. ONE series idea will be chosen - with class input - and each group will then write, cast, direct, and edit one 6min episode for this chosen show.

The course convener, Brendan Donovan, will then act as showrunner across all three groups (please research the term “showrunner” if you are unclear what this means) for the show. Students are expected to audition and cast actors from outside the course, find locations, develop production schedules, and commit to weekend shoots. Editing and post-production may continue beyond June 9^th (when lectures end). Be aware that there may also be small costs for props, costumes, locations etc. The general requirement for working outside class hours will mean you will use your full ten hours per week for this 15pt course.

You are encouraged to be creative, self-starting, self-motivated, and **collaborative**. 30% of your mark is a group mark, 70% is individual - so your commitment to working in a group is essential. Brendan is an experienced industry professional and trusts students to bring a strong work ethic, openness to constructive criticism, and a willingness to learn by doing.

In terms of time, roughly one third is development and pitching, and two-thirds involves writing, production, and post-production.

"High Maintenance" web series, USA.

 "High Road" web series, NZ.

Course assessment:   

There is no final exam as this course is 100% internal assessment.   10% is for participation, which is assessed continually throughout the semester, as well as by your peers through peer evaluation forms at the end of the course.

The peer assessment and self-reflection forms (included in the course outline) will need to be completed at the end of the course by everyone. These are taken seriously when awarding the participation grade.

 "Flat 3" web series, NZ.