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FMC221Social Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Fundamentals Of Scriptwriting, Directing And Acting

This course introduces the fundamentals of scriptwriting, directing, and acting for undergraduate film production students. It provides knowledge and skills essential for film production, covering screenwriting principles, directing techniques, and acting methodologies. The course emphasizes practical application, focusing on techniques, processes, strategies, and tactics relevant to screenwriting, directing, and acting for film, music video and documentary.

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40h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
ScriptwritingDirectingActingFilm ProductionScreenwriting

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Imagination in Screenwriting

2

Script Outline Development

3

Documentary Film Scripting

4

Music Video Scripting

5

Directing Responsibilities

6

Camera Movements

7

Framing Shots

8

Narrative Modes

9

Acting Fundamentals

10

Character Portrayal

Total Topics10 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

written examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Screenwriter

Apply your skills in this growing field

Film Director

Apply your skills in this growing field

Actor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Video Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Content Creator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Film ProductionTelevision ProductionMusic Video ProductionDocumentary FilmmakingAdvertisingDigital Media

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Imagination

3h

Unit 1: Imagination

3 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to understand the course scope and objectives.
  • •Reflect on personal experiences to stimulate your imagination.
  • •Complete the exercise: Imagine a film scene and write a short story.
  • •Share your short story on the group aggregation platform.
Week
2

Module 1: Imagination

3h

Unit 2: Writing the Outline

3 study hours
  • •Define the key aspects and elements of a script outline.
  • •Imagine a sequence or scene in a film script and describe it in two sentences.
  • •Share your experience on the group portal.
  • •Understand the crucial elements of a film script: Dialogue, Characters, Action, and Mis-en-scene.
Week
3

Module 1: Imagination

3h

Unit 3: Writing the Script I

3 study hours
  • •Understand the characteristics of a documentary film.
  • •Identify current issues in your community that could be documentary themes.
  • •Research and gather data to craft a credible documentary film script.
  • •Share your responses on the portal.
Week
4

Module 2:

3h

Unit 1: Writing the Script II: Music Video

3 study hours
  • •Think of a piece of music and list what you would like to see in its music video.
  • •Share your ideas on the group portal.
  • •Reflect on the distinct theme of the music video script.
  • •Understand the plot and structure of a music video script.
Week
5

Module 2:

3h

Unit 2: Directing 1

3 study hours
  • •Study the responsibilities of a film director.
  • •Understand how the director interprets a script into an audio/visual form.
  • •Think of three actions that may warrant brief camera shots and three that require more than brief shots.
  • •Share your answers on the group portal.
Week
6

Module 2:

3h

Unit 3: Directing II

3 study hours
  • •Understand the role of the film camera in transforming a film idea from text to film.
  • •Distinguish between lens movement and spatial movement.
  • •Understand the uses of PAN and TILT camera movements.
  • •Apply PAN and TILT to adjust picture composition and create dramatic effects.
Week
7

Module 2:

3h

Unit 4: Camera Movement

3 study hours
  • •Understand the ZOOM camera movement and its effects.
  • •Learn how to use ZOOM to adjust picture composition and create dramatic effects.
  • •Understand the TRUCK camera movement and its uses.
  • •Learn how to use TRUCK to show objects in a row and follow actions.
Week
8

Module 3:

3h

Unit 1: Framing the Shots

3 study hours
  • •Understand the definition of a shot in film.
  • •Identify and describe various camera shots: Close-Up, Medium Close-Up, Medium Shot, Tight Close-Up, Extreme Close-Up, Long Shot, and Wide Shot.
  • •Go online and watch a Hollywood film; as you watch, identify the following; CU, TCU, ECU, MCU, MS, LS and WS.
  • •Describe the screen character and the film sequence where these techniques were deployed.
Week
9

Module 3:

3h

Unit 2: Directing: Narrative Modes

3 study hours
  • •Understand the roles played by various shots in film narrative.
  • •Learn about Establishing Shots, Reaction Shots, Inserts, Cutaways, Aerial Shots, and Bridging Shots.
  • •Understand Cuts, Cross-Cuts, Jump Cuts, Match Cuts, and POV Shots.
  • •Think of 3 other settings that can serve as credible Cross Cuts apart from the examples provided by me. Share with the class.
Week
10

Module 3:

3h

Unit 3: Acting I

3 study hours
  • •Explain what acting means.
  • •Give a historical account of acting.
  • •Understand the principle of 'Make Believe' and 'Temporary Suspension of Disbelief'.
  • •Reflect on the historical background of acting from Ancient Greece to modern times.
Week
11

Module 3:

3h

Unit 4: Acting II: How to Get It Right

3 study hours
  • •Describe the film character and the various levels at which he operates.
  • •Understand the fundamental skills and expectations of the actor.
  • •Learn how to portray a character at the physical, mental, psychological, spiritual, social, and economic levels.
  • •Shut your eyes for a while and just imagine that you are about to play a character in your mind's eye and proceed to speak like that character. Choose the situation and dialogue. Do video and audio recording of this exercise and share. You do not have to utter more than 20 words.
Week
12

Module 1: Imagination

4h

Module 1 Review

4 study hours
  • •Review all units from Module 1: Imagination.
  • •Focus on understanding the use of imagination in screen writing.
  • •Practice developing good and acceptable concepts and stories.
Week
13

Modules 2 & 3

4h

Modules 2 & 3 Review

4 study hours
  • •Review all units from Modules 2 and 3.
  • •Focus on understanding the responsibilities of a film director.
  • •Practice identifying and applying various camera shots and movements.
  • •Review the historical background and fundamental skills of acting.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed notes for each unit, focusing on key terms and concepts.

2

Practice writing script outlines and short scripts for different film genres.

3

Review the responsibilities of a film director and the different camera movements.

4

Watch and analyze various films, identifying the camera shots and narrative modes used.

5

Practice acting exercises to improve character portrayal skills.

6

Form a study group to discuss and clarify challenging concepts.

7

Review all tutor-marked assignments and feedback to identify areas for improvement.

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