Course Title: Adapt fiction and nonfiction work for the screen
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2022
Course Code: COMM7358C
Course Title: Adapt fiction and nonfiction work for the screen
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
This course will be delivered through face-to-face classes, interaction with industry mentors, and the learning support material and resources in Canvas.
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Course Contact: Alan Woodruff
Course Contact Phone: +61399254307
Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Alan Woodruff
Nominal Hours: 70
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
Enrolment in this elective course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.
Course Description
In this course you learn the skills and knowledge required to write an adaptation of a fiction or nonfiction work as a screenplay either as a commissioned script or as a speculative venture.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
PSWSAD607 Adapt fiction and nonfiction work for the screen |
Element: |
1. Evaluate fiction or nonfiction work for screen adaptation |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Review original work based on established purpose and required outcomes for the screen adaptation with relevant people 1.2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of story, characters and overall narrative structure in the source material for potential suitability as a screen story 1.3 Compare translations or editions together with any previous screen versions 1.4 Consider audience appeal of the work based on other translations or screen versions 1.5 Identify any ethical and copyright obligations and impacts in relation to adapting the source material and strategies to incorporate them |
Element: |
2. Develop film story |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify main storyline and characters for the adaptation 2.2 Develop the premise and themes in the film story 2.3 Define essential character arcs in the film story 2.4 Propose elements to be cut, altered or combined in the film story 2.5 Establish key turnings points in the main plot and map out any required additional story development 2.6 Identify any story and character problems and develop ways to resolve them 2.7 Write a story outline that identifies the essential story concept for adaptation to industry standards |
Element: |
3. Finalise story outline for adaptation |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Confirm story outline for adaptation is appropriate for the purpose, outcomes and intended audience 3.2 Ensure adaptation meets ethical and copyright requirements 3.3 Discuss and confirm any modifications to refine the adaptation with relevant people 3.4 Complete necessary amendments as required |
Learning Outcomes
By taking this course, you'll acquire the skills and knowledge to evaluate works for screen adaptation, and to develop and finalise the adapted story in industry-appropriate documents.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- lectures
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- analysis/critique of students’ writings
2. Out-of-class activities:
- independent project based work
- writing and reading assignments
- online and other research
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of resources.
Week |
Class content |
Assessments |
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Week 1 |
Introduction to the course. Principles and problems in adaptation. Reconciling other story forms (and actuality) with screen stories. i.e. the suitability of material from theatre, prose, history, etc. for adaptation. Discuss Assessment Task 1: Choosing your source material to adapt. Exercise: Investigate the potential of the short story Cooper's Creek for adaptation into a short film. |
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Week 2 |
Review and discussion of adaptation issues (The Crown, Call Me by Your Name, The Queen, 12 Angry Men, History Boys) including analysis of the strategies used and an evaluation of their success. |
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Week 3 |
Workshopping: Students will present their adaptation proposal (Assessment Task 1) to the class for feedback. |
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Week 4 |
Workshopping (cont.): Students will present their adaptation proposal (Assessment Task 1) to the class for feedback. |
Assessment Task 1 due |
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Week 5 |
Finding the screen story in the source text. Exercise: Using the short story A Taste of Spring, map out a strategy that deals with the interior life of the narrator/protagonist, the dual time zones, backstories and metaphors. |
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Week 6 |
Show don’t tell. The primacy of image in screen stories. Tools and tricks - narration, flashbacks, etc. Adjusting stories and characters to suit screen story structure. | |
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Week 7 |
Theme. |
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Week 8 |
Case study: From The Grandmothers to Adoration |
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Week 9 |
Case study: From The Grandmothers to Adoration (cont.) |
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Week 10 |
Workshopping: Students will present their 2-page treatment (Assessment Task 2) to the class for feedback. |
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| Semester break: Friday 15 April – Monday 25 April inclusive | ||
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Week 11 |
Workshopping (cont.): Students will present their 2-page treatment (Assessment Task 2) to the class for feedback. |
Assessment Task 2 due |
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Week 12 |
Workshopping: Students will report on their progress toward the 5-page treatment (Assessment Task 3) and seek feedback. |
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Week 13 |
Workshopping (cont.): Students will report on their progress toward the 5-page treatment (Assessment Task 3) and seek feedback. | |
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Week 14 |
Workshopping (cont.): Students will report on their progress toward the 5-page treatment (Assessment Task 3) and seek feedback. | Assessment Task 3 due |
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Week 15 |
Teacher-student consultations. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentation, evaluation of source texts and the application of learned skills and insights into your writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as competent in this course you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.
Assessment Task 1: Evaluating the source text
Due: Week 4
Completing this project allows you to demonstrate your ability to select a story that is suitable for adaptation into a screenplay, and to identify and offer solutions for the marketing, copyright and ethical issues involved.
Assessment Task 2: Two-page outline
Due: Week 11
Completing this project allows you to demonstrate your ability to deliver an outline of your proposed adaptation, and to respond creatively to feedback from others.
Assessment Task 3: Outline
Due Week 14
Completing this task allows you to demonstrate your ability to develop either a beat sheet or an outline for your project.
Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.
Other Information
Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview