Course Title: Adapt fiction and nonfiction work for the screen
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2023
Course Code: COMM7407C
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.
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6180 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Course Contact: Alan Woodruff
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4307
Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teachers:
Kath Dolheguy
Neil Triffet
Nominal Hours: 85
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
None.
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: |
NAT11115002 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 Identify any existing 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 turning 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 treatment for adatpation |
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 successful screen adaptation, and to develop and finalise the adapted story in industry-appropriate documents.
Details of Learning Activities
You will learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- teacher presentations
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- group discussion
- class exercises
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 |
Week 1 |
Introduction to the course. Principles and problems in adaptation. Copyright considerations Suitability of material from theatre, prose, history, etc. for adaptation. Discuss Assessment Task 1: Choosing your source material to adapt. What adaptations you have seen - & what you think worked? Exercise: Investigate the potential of the short story Cooper's Creek for adaptation into a short film. |
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Week 2 |
Theory - Taste of Spring 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. Your AT1 overview - we go through the questions in AT1 |
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Week 3 |
Students will present their Adaption Report (AT1) to the class for feedback. What issues are you facing with your source material? |
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Week 4 |
Students will present their Adaption Report (AT1) to the class for feedback. What issues are you facing with your source material? |
AT1: Due |
Week 5 |
We look at adapted materials: Lego/Barbie Essence – non regular adaptation – What is central to this source text? How to capture that in your adaptation. Emotion and heat. Promise of the premise. |
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Week 6 |
Adapting Non-fiction material Research. Structure. Commitment to facts/timelines.
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Week 7 |
'Workshopping & feedback' AT2 - Part B - Three Page Outline Half of class will be scheduled to present here - teacher will advise on your presentation date Time to complete AT2 - Part A: Feedback in class |
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Mid-semester break: Mon 28 Aug– Fri 1 Sep, inclusive. | |
Week 8 |
'Workshopping & feedback' AT2 - Part B - Three Page Outline Half of class will be scheduled to present here - teacher will advise on your presentation date Time to complete AT2 - Part C - Decision Register in class |
AT2: Due |
Week 9 |
Part A - Your 10 page treatment Treatments and structuring your treatments
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Week 10 |
In class writing workshop - writing your treatment. Aiming to get your treatment structure done in class. You have 4 classes dedicated to developing and writing your 10 page treatment.
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Week 11 |
Class workshopping & feedback |
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Week 12 |
Class workshopping & feedback |
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Week 13 |
Class workshopping & feedback *time to write / finish your first 5 pages of script |
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Week 14 |
Group table reads of your 5 pages We run through questions for AT3 - Part B - Finalise your treatment Finalise all parts of AT3 |
AT3: Due |
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. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include participation in class exercises, oral presentations and practical writing tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided.
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 1: Evaluating the source text: due Week 4
1. In a brief Adaptation Report, describe the material you propose to adapt, and your initial story and formatting strategy for an adaptation, and the challenge presented by the material. (350 words)
2. How will you respond to the following issues as you proceed with your adaptation? (500–600 words):
(a) Audience and marketability: In consultation with your colleagues and teacher/s, identify the target audience/market for your project and evaluate its suitability for that audience/market. Include precedents such as screen stories of a similar genre and theme.
(b) What copyright issues will your project likely involve? For instance, who owns the rights for screen adaptation, and are they available? How will you deal with these issues?
(c) What are the ethical considerations involved in your proposed adaptation and how will you resolve these issues? (Note: every adaptation involves ethical issues, so it is not sufficient to say there are none.)
(d) Explain the differences between written works (including fiction and nonfiction) and screenplays, and how an understanding of these differences is vital to the adaptation process.
(e) What communication techniques are you going to use to collaborate your ideas to gain feedback on the adaptation of your scripts?
(f) Describe the purpose of screen adaptation and how adaptations may depart significantly from the source text.
Assessment 2: Outline: due Week 8
PART A – FEEDBACK
- Write feedback to another student on the basis of their Adaptation Report. (300–400 words)
PART B – THREE-PAGE OUTLINE
Consider the feedback you have received from your colleagues and integrate it into your outline.
- Following consideration of the feedback you received for your draft outline, deliver a redrafted 3-page outline of your proposed adaptation with any structural problems resolved.
- The outline must be the stipulated length and format, be written in clear prose, with spelling and grammar to a professional standard.
- The narrative must have sufficient weight for delivery as a screen story.
- Opportunities for image-driven story delivery should be apparent.
- Key protagonists and major story arcs must be clearly evident.
PART C – DECISION REGISTER
Record the key decisions you make as you develop your 3-page outline.
Assessment 3: Treatment: due Week 14
PART A – DEVELOP YOUR TREATMENT
Following class workshopping of your 3-page outline, deliver a 10-page treatment of your proposed adaptation with all issues identified in the developmental stages resolved, so that the project is ready for writing a first draft. It should be a professionally written document that could assist in a presentation to a producer, funding body or possible future collaborator.
PART B – FINALISE YOUR TREATMENT
Part B requires you to respond to key questions regarding your completed treatment.
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
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