FILM 3102 - Episodic Screenwriting

5 credit hours
Episodic Screenwriting Is a hands-on creative class focused on writing episodic content for the diverse screens of TV, streaming, web or other new media platforms. Many argue that today we are living in a New Golden Age of TV, but the truth is that we can no longer define serialized shows as a format pertaining only to the small screen of television, or categorized between network and cable, Half Hour Comedy or One Hour Drama or even between scripted and non-scripted. Today, episodic stories have expanded beyond these thanks to the emergence of new media platforms, and the influx and exchange of creatives across the globe. There is a proliferation of episodic content that reflects a growing and changing environment for screenwriters and film creatives in general. This class will analyze different platforms available today, from streaming platforms to free video sharing websites and social media apps. We will look at how “tv writing” has changed and continues to evolve. Students will examine and learn the different challenges and opportunities for content creation that these platforms offer and will be encouraged to discover new ways of making episodic content. Throughout the quarter, you will develop and write one episodic show responding to the requirements of a professional setting, including pitch, synopsis, logline, pitch bible and pilot script. The show you write will respond to the platform that you have chosen and the target audience. The purpose of this class is for you to learn how to approach different episodic formats and develop a project that follows professional industry standards.

Prerequisite Course(s): FILM 2101 recommended