Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Welcome: Class of 2015

Welcome back, class of 2015. I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer. But here we are again. This year is partly devoted to writing scripts (both theatrical and for the screen). What you learn here can help you improve your fiction "dialogue" skills, examine the use of conflict in your plots, play with language and poetry, as well as make you a better psychologist (dealing with people in crisis), all the while honing your writer's craft and developing your writer's voice.

Today, after reviewing the course criteria and updating your computer passwords, we will get started on this course.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Check this blog each class period for agendas, deadlines, educational information, advice, and a whole lot of links to enhance your education. All you have to do is read and click. You are responsible for reading and interacting with the material I post on the blog.


If you're absent or missed something in class, please check the blog to get caught up. As indicated above, each new class period usually includes a new post. If you have a question about an assignment and are too embarrassed to speak to me in public (or you have a question that you think you will forget to ask), feel free to use the comment section.

The links also include a variety of things, but for now, you do not need to worry about all of them. You will find a link to my teacher webpage and other materials. During the course I will direct your attention to these tools for your use in this class and for use in Contemporary Writers.

E-Learning: 

The newest thing this year is our use of the Rochester's E-Learning site. This is an online web-class site where you will be able to submit your work, take quizzes, work at your own pace, and otherwise, learn the skills of playwriting. If you have access to the internet at home, you will be able to move ahead in this course. If you don't have access, you WILL have access in school and in our creative writing lab. Use your time productively.

This morning we will start learning about e-learning, log onto the site, and get started with MODULE 0: an introduction to the course.

The Difference Between Writing for the Stage and Writing for Film: a Discussion

This morning, please brainstorm with a pair (1-2 people) to come up with a list of differences between playwriting (writing for the stage) and screenwriting (writing for film or television). When you have exhausted your list, check out this website. Read the short article, then be prepared to share your findings with the class.


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