Fundamentals Of Scriptwriting, Directing And Acting

1. Explain the principles of screenwriting, directing, and acting.
2. Develop a script outline for a film or video project.
3. Write a documentary or music video script.
4. Describe the responsibilities of a film director.
5. Identify and apply various camera movements and shots.
6. Explain the historical background and fundamental skills of acting.
7. Portray a character effectively at various levels of being.

13 weeks, about 41 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Imagination

   • Unit 1: Imagination · 3 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..

2. Week 2Module 1: Imagination

   • Unit 2: Writing the Outline · 3 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..

3. Week 3Module 1: Imagination

   • Unit 3: Writing the Script I · 3 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..

4. Week 4Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Writing the Script II: Music Video · 3 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..

5. Week 5Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Directing 1 · 3 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..

6. Week 6Module 2:

   • Unit 3: Directing II · 3 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..

7. Week 7Module 2:

   • Unit 4: Camera Movement · 3 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..

8. Week 8Module 3:

   • Unit 1: Framing the Shots · 3 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..

9. Week 9Module 3:

   • Unit 2: Directing: Narrative Modes · 3 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..

10. Week 10Module 3:

    • Unit 3: Acting I · 3 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..

11. Week 11Module 3:

    • Unit 4: Acting II: How to Get It Right · 3 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..

12. Week 12Module 1: Imagination

    • Module 1 Review · 4 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..

13. Week 13Modules 2 & 3

    • Modules 2 & 3 Review · 4 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..