Course syllabus

SCREEN 302. Creating Serial Narratives.

SEMESTER 1, 2018

15 points

Seminars: Monday 1pm - 4pm    

Location:   HSB 149 (15 Wynyard St, “The Black Box”)                      

Convenor:    Brendan Donovan| bc.donovan@auckland.ac.nz

                      x82074 | Rm 520, level 5, HSB | Please email to make an appointment.

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

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

Course Outline

Screen 302 is a course about creating scripted narratives for the web. We conceive, write, and produce a narrative of three episodes – each episode being a maximum of 5 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. For the final group assignment, however, you will be graded on your individual contribution.

From the first class you are 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 5min 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 1st (when lectures end). Be aware that there may also be small costs for props, costumes, locations etc. The general requirement for working outside class 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**. While 70% of your mark is for your individual efforts, you are always working within your team - so your commitment to working well with others 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. 

Go to "files" to download full course outline.