THEA 204B: Stage and Screenwriting - Intermediate

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 72
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 18
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Prerequisite: THEA 204A.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

A more detailed study of the fundamental techniques required in creating scripts for stage, screen and television. Focus is on short films and on writing Act II of a full-length play or screenplay. 54 lecture hours, 18 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Further define plot structure and how said structure is progressively working from Act I into Act II of original work.
  • Analyze and adjust the working relationship between plot and character in original work.
  • Analyze and adjust the progression of dramatic tension.
  • Analyze and adjust the progression of obstacles.
  • Analyze and adjust how the story is progressing through believable dialogue.
  • Further enrich character depth.

Major Course Content

  1.  A build upon Stage and Screenwriting terminology and concepts.
  2. Creating more subtextual 'life events' to enrich character development and dramatic structure.
  3. Continue to investigate sources of Ideas for Scripts.
    1. Does this investigation add complexity to original work?
  4. Build upon Plot and other forms of Dramatic Progression.
    1. Combining themes with dramatic structure
    2. Introducing the 'A' 'B' 'C' storyline
    3. Plot Points
    4. Act Breaks
  5. Begin to combine Rising Action with Climax and Crisis.
  6. Short plays & Screenplays - Act I and Act II
  7. Build upon the differences between believable dialogue and dialogue that is too expositional.

Lab Content

  1. Observing live performances
  2. Observing filmed performances focusing on the progression from Act I into Act II
  3. Maintaining an in-class written journal focusing on script changes and progression
  4. More in-depth writing exercises

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Act II of a full-length play or screenplay including dialogue, stage directions, act breaks and character breakdown is required.

Examples of Outside Assignments

reading the text observing various films journal writing with focus on Act I into Act II progression formatting their Act II of a full-length play or screenplay

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab