Please note that the grade that you have been awarded is subject to confirmation by the awarding body.

The Academy Awards Nominated Film Room (2015) screenplay written by Emma Donoghue

Extended Diploma (Level 3) in Creative Media Production

Assessment Title: THE SCRIPT PROJECT

Assessor: N Obayiuwana Student: Course code: 3EDMED/15 Group: YR 2

Unit Number: 24 Unit Title: WRITING FOR FILM & TV

Unit Code: A/600/6702

Hand out date: 25/01/16 Final hand in: 29/02/16 (2.30pm) Resubmission authorised by: (Btec only)

Date handed in: Date handed in:

Actual Grade

Grading criteria

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5

Achieved?

How to hand in your assignment

This assignment must be handed into your lecturer at the date and time specified above and by the hand in date on each individual task.

UNIT INTRODUCTION This unit aims to introduce learners to both the skills involved in scriptwriting and the role of writers in the modern television and video production industry. Encouraging a vocational awareness through its coverage of the commissioning process, this unit also aims to give learners an overview of the scriptwriting process by adopting a script-to-screen approach, thereby encouraging learners to think holistically. Work in this unit also allows learners to practise key presentation and pitching techniques and reflect on the broad range of communication skills needed for success in this highly competitive field. However, the unit is intended to be primarily practical and, preferably, production led. With the notable exception of serial drama the industry is moving away from the traditional commissioning process of ‘writing to assignment’ and now relies more heavily than ever before on writer-led systems such as proposal-based responses to commissions or unsolicited submissions. To reflect this, learners are encouraged to generate scripts from ideas of their own, which will mean independent project instigation and management in addition to considering the commission-based approach. The need to present a proposal in an appropriate format, along with the skills to verbally pitch a proposal and format a script in line with industry conventions, are also included to reflect this industry shift.

AIM & PURPOSE

This unit aims to foster a practical approach to the process of creative television and video writing by developing learners’ skills in background research, pitching, writing proposals and scriptwriting technique. In addition, the unit considers the commissioning and development process and will give learners the narrative writing skills needed to create television and video scripts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

TO ACHIEVE THIS UNIT A LEARNER MUST:

1) Know about the commissioning process for writing for television and video

2) Be able to research, collect and prepare backgroung materials 3) Be able to produce script proposals 4) Be able to pitch script proposals

5) Be able to produce scripts for television and video productions

How to hand in your assessment

This assessment must be handed into Nosa Obayiuwana by the hand in date and time on the front of the assignment brief. If you have a valid reason why you will not be able to hand in the work on time, you will need to fill out and hand in an AE1. If you need to ask for a longer extension

you will need to fill out and hand in an AE2 to your Head of School at least two days before the assessment deadline. ALL WORK SHOULD BE HANDED IN DIGITALLY. YOU NEED TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE

SIGNED THE SUBMISSION SHEET AFTER HAND IN.

Student feedback on what you liked and/or disliked about this assessment. Tick the ones that apply to you. J K L

I enjoyed the task.

I understood the task.

The deadline was realistic.

I had enough support.

For staff use only.

Internal Verification

This assessment has been verified and form IV8 completed:

IV name: IV signature: Date:

SMOG index: 17.5

Student declaration:

I have read the Assignment Submission Procedure. I agree that this is my own work or my own work and that of other members of my group. It has not been copied (plagiarised) from any other source e.g. the internet, a book, another student or group of students. I know that I may FAIL this assignment if my head of school proves that this is not my own work. Student signature: Date:

TASK 1: The Commissioning Process P1, M1, D1 SUBMISSION DATE: 5TH FEBRUARY 2016 3.00PM

THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS IN FILM AND TELEVISION

In your presentation you should aim to A. Give a factual description of the writers role within film and TV. B. Define and explain commissioning bodies and their role within the process C. Discuss the role of the commissioning editors, producers, directors and how they collaborate with

screenwriters. D. Explain the structure and process of script development. E. Use specific examples to illustrate the key points being made. F. Discuss reasons why the process is the way it is. For example, why do some screenwriters direct, while

others only write? G. Talk about the roles and responsibilities of screenwriters. H. Use technical language in the discussion REMEMBER • In your discussions to highlight the positive and negative aspects of the screenwriter’s job using specific

examples. • To describe the various contexts in which the screenwriter works; for examples, how would writing a

hollywood blockbuster be different from writing an English soap opera like Eastenders?

In a PowerPoint document (which must be submitted as a PDF) of between 10 and 40 slides comprehensively explain the writer’s role within the commissioning process.

GRADING CRITERIA

TASK 2: The Research Process P2, M2, D2 SUBMISSION DATE: 12TH FEBRUARY 2016: IN CLASS

In order to do this task

1. Find (and read) 3 professional film scripts (approved by your lecturer); and then create a digital scrapbook using Powerpoint that highlights (using annotations) the different structure and language techniques used in the script.

2. Provide at least 10 pieces of relevant secondary research that has influenced your idea / script. • You should annotate these so it is clear why these pieces are relevant

3. Provide evidence of at least 3 pieces of relevant primary research that you did while working on your idea / script.

• Again annotate these to indicate why they are relevant to your finished idea / script.

4. Critically analyse the information you have found discussing the pros and cons of all your research.

For this task you will submit a Powerpoint document that contains evidence of research for a 3-7 minute film idea you intend to turn into a 3-7 page screenplay (to be submitted as a PDF).

GRADING CRITERIA

TASK 3: Treatment / Proposal / Pitch P3, M3, D3 | P4, M4, D4 SUBMISSION DATE: 12TH FEBRUARY 2016: IN CLASS

1. For this task you will produce a 1 page written treatment, and a Powerpoint presentation for a

potential writing project. In your Powerpoint presentation (amongst other things)

� Present evidence of research showing what has influenced your idea (this should include detailed written and visual material (annotations, your written paragraphs, photographs, videos, images etc).

� Give a scene and structural breakdown of your story (beginning, middle and end)

� Define the market for the product (genre, target audience and other appropriate information)

� Discuss possible distribution channels for your film

� Present a well structured tabular budget proposal, and pre-production documentation.

2. In a formal presentation (you should be appropriately dressed), to be given in front of class, you will pitch your project to your lecturers and potential collaborators.

ITEMS TO SUBMIT FOR THIS TASK

1. A WORD PROCESSED ONE PAGE TREATMENT 2. A VISUALLY EXCITING POWERPOINT PROPOSAL (TO BE SUBMITTED AS A PDF) 3. A VISUALLY EXCITING PITCH (12TH FEBRUARY 2016: DURING CLASS)

GRADING CRITERIA

TASK 4: The Script P5, M5, D5 SUBMISSION DATE: 29TH FEBRUARY 2016 9AM

REMEMBER � To properly format your screenplay in the appropriate style

� Check for spelling mistakes

� Make sure you scenes are well written for dramatic effect

For this task you will submit

A. An initial 1st draft of 4 – 7 page formatted screenplay for a short film: 12TH FEBRUARY 2016 B. A final draft of of the amended 4 – 7 page screenplay: 29TH FEBRUARY 2016

GRADING CRITERIA

BREAKDOWN OF SUBMISSION DATES: • FRIDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2016: TASK 1 – SUBMISSION OF THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS

POWERPOINT (SUBMIT AS PDF) • FRIDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2016: TASK 2 & 3 – SUBMISSION OF (1) RESEARCH FOR SCRIPT (2) IN

CLASS PITCH (3) 1ST DRAFT OF 3-7 PAGE SCREENPLAY (SUBMIT ALL AS PDF DOCS) • MONDAY 29TH FEBRUARY 2016: TASK 4 – SUBMISSION OF THE DECISION DRAFT (AS PDF

DOCS)

Assessor marking grid Student name:

Grading Criteria

Grading criteria

Grade

Comments/Feedback

Target date for referral

P1 describe the writer’s role in the commissioning process using some subject terminology appropriately

M1 explain the writer’s role in the commissioning process with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology

D1 comprehensively explain the writer’s role in the commissioning process with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly

P2 collect and prepare suitable background materials for a scriptwriting project with some assistance

M2 collect and prepare good background material for a scriptwriting project competently and with only occasional assistance

D2

collect and prepare excellent background material for a scriptwriting project to near-professional standards working independently to professional expectations

P3 produce script proposals for specific purposes working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance

M3 produce script proposals for specific purposes showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance

D3 produce script proposals for specific purposes showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations

P4 pitch a prepared proposal

M4 pitch a prepared proposal effectively

D4 pitch a prepared proposal to a near-professional standard

P5 produce a script for a specific purpose working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance.

M5 produce a script for a specific purpose competently showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

D5 produce a script for a specific purpose to near-professional standards and working independently to professional expectations.

SUGGESTED INITIAL READING LIST:

First submission general comments

Assessor signature:

Date

Learner signature:

Date

Resubmission feedback.

Assessor signature:

Date

Learner signature:

Date

Resubmission action plan

Date set

Action Unit / grading / performance

criteria

Target Date