OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE:

WRITING FOR TELEVISION is not merely a course in how to write scripts, although that will be a major part. Any writing requires creativity (writing without creativity is merely words in a row), but creativity without structure, direction and purpose is self-indulgent, confusing and, let's face it, boring. The objective of this course is to foster the critical analysis knowledge and skills, as well as the practical writing skills, necessary to achieve that structure, direction and purpose, using a hands-on, do-it-and-critique-it approach. Among the areas that we'll examine and discuss are plotting, characterization, dramatic structure, script and line analysis, and dramatic and comedic styles and approaches. The styles of writing we'll examine and write include sketch comedy, sitcom, drama, serial drama, and commercial. To accomplish these goals we'll look at theories, then write, read and critique our own scripts, applying those theories. Assignments will include writing, and critiquing monologues (dramatic and comedic), 3, 6 and 9 beat 2- and/or 3-person scenes (dramatic and comedic), advertising copy, and a final full-length (24 minute) program (either dramatic or comedic).

NOTE: ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE TYPED IN PROPER FORMAT AND DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF TUESDAY'S CLASS THE WEEK AFTER THEY ARE ASSIGNED. There will be no excuses for late work: late is defined as not turned in during the class period in which it is due. When a producer says rhe wants something at 10:00 Wednesday, rhe wants it at 10:00 Wednesday, not 2:00 or 5:00 or sometime Friday -- get used to the concept of submitting assignments when they are due. Turned in late is the equivalent of not turned in at all. Thus, it will be turned in on time by you or your proxy or your undertaker, or it will be an F.

WEEK 1
Formats. Basic structure. Script Format.

WEEK 2
Dramatic Structure, Drama. Assignment: write a 1 minute dramatic monologue that delineates a character. (Chapters 10, 14)

WEEK 3
Characterization. Assignment: write a 1 minute comedic monologue that describes a situation or event. (Chapter 12)

WEEK 4
Dramatic Structure, Drama (cont'd). Assignment: Write a 2-person dramatic scene that delineates the characters and establishes and resolves a conflict. (Chapter 11)

WEEK 5
Dramatic Structure, Comedy. Assignment: Write a 2 or 3 person one-complication dramatic scene.

WEEK 6
Dramatic Structure, Comedy (cont'd). Assignment: write a 2 person comedy scene. Begin preparing the scenarii for the final project (due WEEK 9). (Chapter 16)

WEEK 7
Dramatic Structure, Serial Drama. Assignment: write a 2 or 3 person one-complication comedy scene. (Chapter 17)

WEEK 8
Dramatic Structure, Serial Drama (cont). Assignment: write a 2-4 person serial dramatic scene with with two complications and a hook tag. (Chapter 15)

WEEK 9
The week will be devoted to examining and critiquing the finals scenarii. Assignment: write a 2-4 person serial dramatic scene, the following episode to the WEEK 8 assignment, with two complications, a resolving teaser and a hook tag. Rough scenario due Thursday.

WEEK 10
Assignment: begin writing final projects, to be worked on and discussed during weeks 13 -15. Individual conferences on rough scenarii beginning Monday.

WEEK 11
Full Scenario due Thursday.

WEEK 12
Individual Conferences on full scenarii beginning on Monday.

WEEK 13 - 15
These last three weeks will be devoted to working on the final projects.
Week 13 - rough draft due Friday.

Week 14 - Individual conferences on rough draft.

Week 15 - Final scripts due on Friday.

In addition,
I, Richard F. Taflinger, accept no responsibility for WSU or ERMSC material or policies. Statements issued on behalf of Washington State University are in no way to be taken as reflecting my own opinions or those of any other individual. Nor do I take responsibility for the contents of any Web Pages listed here other than my own.