ClassInfo

DC 272 Introduction to Television Writing

Spring 2018-2019
Class number: 36243
Section number: 301
Tu 1:00PM - 4:15PM
LEVAN 00305 Lincoln Park Campus

Summary

This course focuses on writing the sitcom and one-hour drama television formats. Students will examine the conventions of serialized and procedural series and will learn how the collaborative dynamic of the writer's room impacts story. The lectures and workshop provide a foundation of what it takes to be a professional staff writer and culminate in crafting a spec episode of a current television series.



Texts

Instructor will email handouts to students the night before each class


Grading

The student?s grade will be based upon three separate categories: supplemental materials (which constitute 40% of the student?s overall grade and includes: pitches; page-by-page outlines; classic outlines; first halves of first drafts; second halves of first drafts; and the critique of his or her fellow student?s scripts?submitted to the D2L Dropbox pass/fail); the second draft of the spec script itself (which constitutes 50% of the student?s total grade?submitted in hard copy form the last day of class); as well as a well-crafted generic letter to an agent, also submitted in hard copy form on the last day of class (which will constitute 10% of the student?s overall grade).


Prerequisites

DC 101 or DC 201


?Choosing And Pitching?

ART: Choose a current running sitcom of which you have some knowledge and affinity; craft six separate pitches for your spec taking into consideration that each should contain a combination of information, humor and your personal enthusiasm for the story you hope to create. COMMERCE: Explore and examine both the Writers Guild of America, West?s website, www.wga.org; as well as the Writers Guild of America, East?s website: www.wgaeast.org paying special attention to any and all information concerning the genre of sitcom. Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

?Page-By-Page Outline?

ART: Make two lists?on the first begin to describe what happens on each page of a real script of the show you?ve chosen to spec, paying special attention to those elements that constitute the basic DNA of that show (jokes, story, character); then on a second list, using the first as a kind of template, begin to jot down what happens on each page of your hypothetical script. COMMERCE: Go to the homepage of the WGA, West?s website: www.wga.org; at the top of the page, click on the 2nd drop down menu from the left, ?Employers & Agents?; then click on 3rd item from the left, ?Agencies?; then click on first item, ?Signatory Agency List.? and print the entire list! Don?t just study it, but actually print it out and begin to refer to it. Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Tuesday, April 16, 2019.
?Classic Sitcom Outline?

ART: Expand your page-by-page outline into a classic sitcom outline containing banners, casting per scene and a detailed description of what happens with the express purpose of converting the reader to your point of view. COMMERCE: Create a list of ten personal contacts who might be of some help with regard to building your career; renew your relationship with each. Don?t ask them for a favor?simply say ?hi.? Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Tuesday, April 23, 2019.
?First Half, First Draft?

ART: Begin your first draft, adhering strictly to the detailed outline you?ve created. Don?t worry too much about individual jokes at this point understanding that even the ones you perceive as good, will probably only be placeholders until the next draft. Also, don?t worry about being too verbose?it?s easier to edit than it is to create from scratch. COMMERCE: Begin a generic letter to an agent, by writing a single paragraph of three sentences that addresses the general theme of ?Who are you?? Two things you might consider including: the exact town that you?re from, and a brief description of the moment that you went from passive consumer of entertainment, to actively wanting to do this for a living. Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
?Second Half, First Draft?

ART: Finish your first draft; don?t over think it. Just get it done, knowing full well that it?s not finished and that built into this process will be another rewrite. This is not the draft to overthink; this is the draft that Matt Stone and Trey Parker call ?the dog shit draft.? COMMERCE: Construct the second paragraph of your generic letter to an agent of no more than three sentences that addresses the general theme of ?What do I want?? Due in the dropbox by 1:00pm, Wednesday, October 10, 2018.
?Critique Week?

ART: Create six legitimate questions with regard to the first draft of your spec, to which the answers will lead to a better second draft. Pick two people to read both your questions and you first draft: your most honest friend and your most aware friend. Make sure the six questions you?re creating are in fact real things for which you are confused. Plus, I would strongly encourage you to not ask questions that can be answered with either a ?yes? or ?no.? Based upon the notes you received, complete your second draft. COMMERCE: Construct the third paragraph of your generic letter to an agent of no more than three sentences that has as its theme, ?Here?s how you can help me?? Make it specific and exact; don?t be cute. Due in the dropbox, by 1:00pm, Tuesday, May 14, 2019.
?Second Draft?

ART: Begin the rewriting process by employing a little relaxed thinking, quietly pouring over what you?ve written and jotting down improvements while taking into account the notes you?ve received. COMMERCE: Choose three literary agents on which to focus, by asking yourself four questions: What?s my favorite TV show? What?s my favorite episode? Who wrote that episode? Who represents that writer? And to answer that last question, sign up for imdb.com/pro. Due in the dropbox, by 1:00pm, Tuesday, May 21, 2019.
?Phone Conference, Commerce?

ART: On the condition that you take into account the notes you?ve received from the most honest and most informed persons in your life, you finished the second draft of your spec, and we arrange a conference call where I read the stage directions of your script and you read the characters; and I give you my notes immediately. COMMERCE: Having chosen an agent on whom to focus, you change your generic letter to a specific letter to a specific agent. Due in the dropbox, by 1:00pm, Tuesday, May 28, 2019.
?Final Draft?

ART: After rechecking spelling; employing various, obvious edits; conducing one final joke pass; attempting to objectively make the story slightly more physical (possibly including sight gags); and finally picking three of your favorite bits and making them even better? COMMERCE: Hard copies of both the final draft of your spec script and your specific letter to a specific agent are to be handed in together on our final day of class.



School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296