Syllabus Online! TA030 Intro to Playwriting

Introduction to Playwriting- Theatre Arts 030 (3 units)

 

Instructor: James Callner MA

Office Hours: Mon -Fri 3-5pm via Angel

Office Phone: 741-2456

 

E-mail for any questions anytime via Angel

james_callner@wvm.edu

OR

jamescallner@sbcglobal.net

 

Required Text:

The Art & Craft of Playwriting - Hatcher

Note: The Art & Craft of Playwriting can be purchased at on www.amazon.com or at the West Valley college bookstore. It is crucial that you have this book for the course.

How this class works?

First read the syllabus in its entirety.

**Important Web site you will need to access for this Class

 

This course is taught though three different teaching delivery methods.

That is, I have learned over my 31 years of teaching college that we all donÕt learn the same way. One size doesnÕt fit all. For instance I am a visual and auditory learner. Give me a manual to read and IÕm lost but let me see it in a visual form and I get it. So, you have the book but not all of you absorb solely by reading. 

 

In this course you need to access this web site. ItÕs free!

 

Expert Village

http://www.expertvillage.com/expert/436.htm?page=1&index=1

 

Paste the above web address into your browser and bookmark it because you will be using it though the semester.

 

It has short online videos from Kirk Bowman a UCLA award-winning Playwright. He gives the same information in short 4-5 minute segments that I would give in a classroom. You will be assigned which one to watch once you are in the Lessons tab on Angel. Remember this is NOT I but Kirk.

 

The second way youÕll learn in this class is following the assigned chapters in the book. I found this book is user friendly and not too academic. Whatever you do in ANY writing class you want to stay away from being academic. Writing is about emotions; feelings and heart felt creating not jumping though the olÕ college academic hoops. So our book is lighter weight academically but has great information.

 

Third available process for you to learn in this course is to access me! I am available for you to Email, phone or Skype. We can set up a conference almost anytime during the week to talk over ideas, brainstorm and solve problems. IÕm here for you and IÕm more interested in your writing a good one act play with a solid story and characters than I am with you getting a great grade (translated: if you do the work on time, IÕm a easy grader J)

 

So, first orient yourself with Angel and then bookmark

http://www.expertvillage.com/expert/436.htm?page=1&index=1 

How Angel works:

If you are not already in Angel, login in using your student ID # for the "Username" and your 6 digit birth date for the password. Here is the link to Angel:

http://wvmccd.angellearning.com

Begin each week by doing the following:

 

1.     Click on the Lessons tab.

 

2.     Click on the number of the current week and follow the instructions for that week, clicking on the Assignment link for the week. Some weeks may have additional links such as extra credit assignments. Make sure you click on these and read the directions.

 

 3.  Do the weeks reading and assignments found in each weeks folder. Note: Some weeks there will be no exercises or assignments just reading, some you will have assignments only. Stay up with each week.

 

4.  All homework is to be sent as an attachment in the Angel course e-mail. Angel e-mail can be accessed from the Communicate tab found at the top of the page. Please send everything as a Word document.

 

5.  Remember to check your course e-mail. This is found under the communicate tab.

 

Note: Some assignment you will have a full week to complete and some you will have two weeks. Check due dates. It is very important to keep up with the assignments. If you need to Email the instructor please use the Angel Email system.

 

Course Description:

 

This course covers the techniques and tools of writing for a great one act to full-length play for the stage and have some fun doing it!  What is Playwriting in contrast to Screenwriting? Play Structure, Context, Situations, Building Characters, Crisis Points, Building a Structure, Plot, Resolution and Preparing the Play for the Stage. This course is a beginning. A 'get your feet wet' for writerÕs who want to see their characters come alive on stage. The objective of the course is for you to write a one-act play that could lead into a full-length play. We are also offering you the opportunity to have your play considered for production in our Summer Course, The Alpha Project which is a series of One Act plays produced on the WVC Main Stage theater for the public. A great opportunity! It is not required that you participate in this opportunity to have your play produced by our department but we are offering it in this course. ItÕs your choice.  LetÕs first get that play written in the 16-week semester. IÕll help you as much as I can! More is explained Online in the Week-to-Week section of the Angel program on the West Valley web site www.westvalley.edu. The intent of this course is to give you the starting basics and a starting point for writing plays with structure and most importantly a great story with great characters and dialogue!

 

Course Content:

 

You will be guided through this course by our book readings and assignments. Some will NOT come from the book but the instructor.

 

 We will cover: Structure, Characters and Situations, Plot and Plot points, Dialogue and preparing your play for the stage for a reading, etc.

 

Reminder: Your job is to follow the assignments and Email them to me. All is outlined in the Week-to-Week section Online. I will critique your writing and keep you on tract. The most important aspect to this course is that you write and develop interesting ideas and characters!

 

 

Grading:

Each assignment/excercise worth 20 points

Final worth 40 points

Writing Assignments/Exercises

Final Play

Breakdown of total semester points

90-100 = A

80- 89 = B

70- 79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60-Oops better tell me you want a N/C or INC

 

Credit/No Credit Option is Available to this Class

 

Warning: The instructor does NOT drop students. It is the studentsÕ responsibility to drop themselves before the drop date. (Try to stick with it though you can do this!)

 

Reminder to ALL Students: This class is all about writing. "Writer's –write"!

So, keep up with the assignments and reading and you'll not only have the potential for a good grade but an opportunity if you choose for your play to be produced for the stage and who knows maybe the movies too!

 

Student Reminder:

The instructor may make changes to the syllabus during the semester.  It is the student's responsibility to stay informed of these changes. Students may also wish to have a study partner whom they can contact if they miss class.

 

Disability Statement 

West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.  Students should notify DESP (Disability & Educational Support Program) located in the Learning Services building (408-741-5085) of any special needs.