104818 - SERIAL FICTION: SCREENPLAY AND DIRECTION

Subject type: Optional

Coordinator: Jorge Oter Gonzalez

Trimester: First and second quarters

Credits: 12

• Spanish
• Catalan

Both languages ​​will be used interchangeably.

Some punctual reading may be in English.

The subject is taught in the first and second term.

The optional subject "Serial Fiction: Screenplay and Directing" it is done over two quarters (T1 and T2). It is a mainly practical subject and aims to confront the student throughout the course of a series of fiction. From its writing to its production, realization and assembly. Therefore, the subject is divided into two distinct parts with their separate assessment. A first part (first term) that organizes groups of students (screenwriters) for the writing of plot proposals and writing of script scripts with its seasonal plot and well-defined characters. The first part ends with the choice of projects to be carried out during the second part.

In the second part (second quarter) then, the pilots develop. The group will be divided into departments according to the interests of each student: casting and directing actors, directing, directing photography, directing, production, art, video and sound editing, etc. Throughout the quarter, each department will carry out the necessary tasks to get the chapter filmed and assembled. There are some theoretical classes at the same time that will be worked on in a practical way in class: from making budgets, to going out to locate, to organizing castings and rehearsals, etc. Each department will work autonomously and responsibly, and faculty will also play the role of executive producer, guide, and decision-maker. The goal is to work professionally, so students will make logistical and organizational decisions.

FIRST PART: SCREENPLAY I WRITING (1st. T)

A) THEORETICAL CONTENTS

- Topic 1: Overcoming fear on the blank page.

Trends in serial fiction: series, web series. Theme and idea. References. Construction of an initial sales project. Pitching workshop I. Documentation.

Genres and formats. Particularities of the web series. Basic synopsis. Idea for sale. Logline (concept). Tagline (slogan). Initial premise to develop.

- Topic 2: Development I

 Seasonal plot synopsis. Pilot synopsis.

- Topic 3: Development II

 Character work: Main, secondary. Arcs. Stereotypes: files and profiles of characters and their evolution in the plots. Construction of levels of importance. Construction of the universe of the characters and their objectives.

- Topic 4: Development III

 Structures and types of plots. Tone and style. Narrative resources. Turns, conflicts and narrative tension depending on the genre. Dosage of information.

- Topic 5: Draftingó and seasonal Bible preparation

Seasonal Bible Writing. Aesthetics. Particularities. Ladder of all chapters. Seasonal structure and each chapter. A practical example: "Crematorio" (Jorge Sánchez Cabezudo, 2011, Canal +). Evolution of seasonal plots and plot lines: horizontal plots (seasonal) and episodic plots (self-conclusive).

-    Topic 6: Writing the script for the pilot episode.

Practical work of dialogues, subtext and stylization.

-    Topic 7: Pitching Workshop II.

 Extended universes: transmedia. Programming grid. The showrunner or executive producer.

- Other resources:

Viewings of both national and international series will be used in order to find suitable examples of the proposed theory. The specific views will be proposed by the teachers once the series to be developed are chosen with the intention of exemplifying options that will be referenced during the writing.

PART TWO: PRODUCTION AND DIRECTION (2nd T)

CONTENTS

- Topic 1: The viability of the project and the organization of the team

The management team.

The production team.

The artistic team. 

Other departments. 

- Topic 2: Production design and financing

Production dossier.

Budgets. Adapt the script to budgets.

Financing plan.

Shooting plan.

Locations.

Casting.

- Subject 3: Realization / Filming

Technical script and storyboard.

Production style: showrunner proposal.

Photo direction.

Sound design and direct sound.

Actors' direction.

Artistic direction.

Clothing and makeup. 

Production management.

- Topic 4: The assembly

Editing styles in serial fiction

Rough cut and Fine cut

Mastering

- Item 5: Marketing and distribution

Television and online distribution.

Grants and festivals.

Pilot chapter screening.

Each part of the course will be assessed individually.

A) For the script part (1st. T) the ordinary evaluation or qualification system will be:

- Activity 1 (oral exam or individual initial pitching): 5%

- Activity 2 (Project Bible): 25%

- Activity 3 (pilot script): 30%

- Activity 4 (the second pitching that will be group): 15%

- Activity 5 (individual theoretical exam): 25%

If any of the practice or follow-up activities are not carried out (activities 1-4), it will be considered scored with a “0”. If there is more than one activity that has not been done, a grade of Not Presented will be obtained. 

If the activity that is not carried out is the theoretical test (activity 5) the subject will have a qualification of “Not presented” independently of the note of each one of the rest of activities. In addition, you must take a minimum grade of 5 on the exam to average.

To pass this part of the subject N1 + N2 + N3 + N4 + N5 must be at least a "5".

B) For the second part of the subject: Production and Realization (2nd T) the ordinary evaluation or qualification system will be:

- Activity 1 (Production / group dossier): 20%

- Activity 2 (Hidden / group camera): 10%

- Activity 3 (The pilot / group and individual): 40%

- Activity 4 (Theoretical / individual exam): 30%

To pass the course you must participate in the pilot and the exam. In addition, you must take a minimum grade of 5 on the exam to average. Of the other activities, only one "not presented" can be accumulated.

Recovery

Only Activity 5 (individual theory exam) of the first part and Activity 4 (Individual theory exam) of the second part can be retaken.

Identification of plagiarism is considered a serious circumstance that may lead to a failing grade in the subject. In case of detection of plagiarism, the coordination of the degree will be informed so that the corresponding disciplinary measures can be taken.

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CARRIÓN, Jorge. Teleshakespeare. Barcelona Errata Naturae Editores, 2011

TOLEDANO, Gonzalo; VERDE, Nuria. How to Create a TV Series | Madrid: T&B Editores, 2007.

Maras, Steven (2009). Screenwriting: History, Theory and Practice. Wallflower Press. Great Britain

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SÁNCHEZ-CABEZUDO, Jorge. ; SÁNCHEZ-CABEZUDO, Alberto. Crematorium: script for the TV series. Madrid. Seventy Key Editions. Eight and a Half, 2014

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Ambrossi, Javier; Calvo, Javier (2017). Paquita Salas. Scripts of the series. ED. Eight and a half movie books. 

Tubau, D. (2015). The spectator is the protagonist. Alba Editorial.

Tubau, D. (2013). The script of the 21st century. Alba Editorial.