Screenwriting (SCWR)

SCWR 120  Storytelling for the Screen  (3 semester hours)  
The elements of storytelling as applied to the screen includes an examination of ethics and learning screenwriting basics by writing a short film script.

A minimum grade of B is required for all students in the major or minor.
SCWR 198  Special Studies  (1-3 semester hours)  
SCWR 199  Independent Studies  (1-3 semester hours)  
SCWR 220  Feature Story Development  (3 semester hours)  
Practicum in the basics of screenwriting; idea, outline, plot, characterization, etc. Analysis of scripts.

Prerequisite: SCWR 120 completed with a grade of B or higher.
Sophomores and juniors only.
SCWR 230  Write a Movie, Change the World  (3 semester hours)  
Students will learn how to write social issue based, short screenplays.

Prerequisite: SCWR 120.
University Core fulfilled: Flag: Writing.
SCWR 298  Special Studies  (1-3 semester hours)  
SCWR 299  Independent Studies  (1-3 semester hours)  
SCWR 320  Feature Screenplay: Writing the First Draft  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in writing feature film scripts with analysis of plot, character development, and structure.

Prerequisite: SCWR 220
Majors only / Minors only.
SCWR 321  Rewriting the Feature Screenplay  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in completing or rewriting a feature-length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 320.
Juniors or seniors only.
Majors/minors only.
May be repeated once.
SCWR 322  Genre Screenwriting  (3 semester hours)  
Elements of writing popular film genres.

Prerequisites: SCWR 320.
SCWR 325  Writing the Comedy TV Series Spec  (3 semester hours)  
Prerequisite: SCWR 120
Majors/minors only.
University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Creative Experience.
SCWR 326  Writing the Drama TV Series Spec  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in writing one-hour episodic television drama.

Prerequisite: SCWR 120
Screenwriting majors and minors only.
University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Creative Experience.
SCWR 327  Developing and Writing the Short Film  (3 semester hours)  
Elements of screenwriting as applied to short films intended for production.

Prerequisite: SCWR 120.
University Core fulfilled: Flag: Writing.
SCWR 328  Writing the TV Pilot  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in writing the original television pilot comedy or drama.

Prerequisite: SCWR 220 with a minimum grade of B+.
Juniors or seniors only.
Majors/minors only.
SCWR 329  Directing for Screenwriters  (3 semester hours)  
An in-depth workshop/lecture demonstration on production and post-production processes and aesthetics of film and video.

Prerequisites: SCWR 220.
Majors only.
Lab fee required.
SCWR 340  Video Game Writing  (3 semester hours)  
Students will learn about the various challenges that videos game writers face and how the game writing craft diverges from traditional storytelling to create its own dynamic art form. Students will come to understand how to use the medium to create rich, compelling, and ultimately powerful narrative experiences for the player. Further, this class will offer insight to students about the emerging opportunities available in the games industry for writers.
SCWR 398  Special Studies  (0-4 semester hours)  
SCWR 399  Independent Studies  (0-3 semester hours)  
SCWR 420  Writing the Senior Project: Feature Screenplay or TV Pilot  (3 semester hours)  
Specially directed projects in writing for film, television, or other media from initial concept through finished form. The student must provide a professional copy of all senior thesis-level projects to the school of film and television in partial fulfillment of degree requirements.

Prerequisites: SCWR 321.
Majors only.
SCWR 421  Rewriting the Senior Project: Feature Screenplay or TV Pilot  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience revising the senior project draft.

Prerequisite: SCWR 420.
Screenwriting majors only.
SCWR 427  Writing Shorts for Production  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in writing production-ready short scripts based on or inspired by their existing feature or pilot TV scripts or for a stand-along project.

Prerequisite: SCWR 220 or SCWR 327.
Juniors or seniors only.
School of Film and Television majors only.
SCWR 428  Adaptation: From Source to Screen  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in translating books (novels and/or non-fiction) into film scripts.

Prerequisite: SCWR 320.
SCWR 440  Senior Project: Feature  (3 semester hours)  
Specially directed projects in writing for film, television, or other media from initial concept through finished form. The student must provide a professional copy of all senior thesis-level projects to the school of film and television in partial fulfillment of degree requirements.

Prerequisites: SCWR 321.
Majors only.
SCWR 441  Rewriting the Senior Project: Feature  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience revising the senior project draft.

Prerequisite: SCWR 420 or SCWR 440.
Screenwriting majors only.
SCWR 450  Senior Project: TV Pilot  (3 semester hours)  
Specially directed projects in writing for film, television, or other media from initial concept through finished form. The student must provide a professional copy of all senior thesis-level projects to the school of film and television in partial fulfillment of degree requirements.

Prerequisites: SCWR 321 and either SCWR 325 or SCWR 326
Majors only.
SCWR 451  Rewriting Senior Project: TV  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience revising the senior project draft.

Prerequisite: SCWR 420 or SCWR 450.
Screenwriting majors only.
SCWR 498  Special Studies  (0-4 semester hours)  
SCWR 499  Independent Studies  (0-3 semester hours)  
SCWR 501  Fundamentals of Cinematic Storytelling  (3 semester hours)  
Elements of screenwriting as applied to short films intended for production.

Corequisites: PROD 500, 541, 566.
SCWR 510  Production Fundamentals for Writing and Producing for TV  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in the television development process; includes taking an idea to script and the directing, producing, and post-producing of a short, in-studio multi-camera video project.
SCWR 511  Production Fundamentals for Writing and Producing for TV  (3 semester hours)  
Course centers on understanding the craft of storytelling and character development as probably the most important task at hand when mounting a production and properly servicing the script for the writer, executive producer, and studio. Making wise choices in the areas of camera, lighting, and special effects to non-linear post-production, etc.
SCWR 527  Writing Shorts for Production  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in writing production-ready short scripts based on or inspired by their existing feature or pilot TV scripts or for a stand-alone project.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501 or SCWR 510 or SCWR 511.
Graduate students only.
School of Film and Television majors only.
SCWR 530  Developing the Short Film  (3 semester hours)  
Intermediate screenwriting techniques as applied to short films intended for production.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501
SCWR 540  Elements of Feature Screenwriting  (3 semester hours)  
Elements of feature film screenwriting related to idea, character, story and structure development, scene and sequence construction, and elements of genres.
SCWR 541  Writing the Feature Screenplay  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a first draft feature film screenplay; includes analysis of character development, plot, and story structure.
SCWR 550  Elements of Television Writing  (3 semester hours)  
Elements of dramatic writing include emphasis on the television art form and the practical aspects of writing television genres.
SCWR 551  Feature Screenwriting: Writing and Producing for TV  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a first draft feature film screenplay; including analysis of character development, plot, and story structure.
WPTV majors only.

Prerequisites: SCWR 511 and SCWR 550.
SCWR 554  The TV Writers Room  (3 semester hours)  
Students gain practical experience pitching and working in the writers rooms of drama and comedy television series.

Prerequisites: SCWR 511 and SCWR 550.
SCWR 560  Writing the Feature for Directors  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a first draft feature length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501 with a minimum grade of B-.
Film and Television Production graduate majors only.
SCWR 598  Special Studies  (0-4 semester hours)  
SCWR 599  Independent Studies  (0-3 semester hours)  
Independent studies.
SCWR 611  Planning Ahead: Producing Fundamentals  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience as a producer managing the planning, budgeting, and scheduling of the episodic television art form.

Prerequisites: SCWR 511
SCWR 620  Writing the Production Thesis Screenplay  (3 semester hours)  
Writing the thesis narrative project and preparing the script for production.

Prerequisite: SCWR 530.
SCWR 635  Advanced Motion Picture Script Analysis  (3 semester hours)  
Analysis of feature films from the screenwriter's point of view and an in-depth study of each story's dramaturgical elements. This study will deepen the understanding of these principles and techniques for the student's own creative work.
SCWR 640  Rewriting the Feature Screenplay  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience rewriting the feature film screenplay.

Prerequisites: SCWR 541.
Corequisite: SCWR 650.
SCWR 641  Feature Film and Television Adaptation  (3 semester hours)  
Broad survey of the wide range of adaptation concepts, practices, and processes.

Prerequisites: SCWR 640.
SCWR 650  Advanced Feature Screenwriting  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a feature-length screenplay.

Prerequisites: SCWR 541.
Corequisite: SCWR 640.
SCWR 651  Rewriting the Advanced Screenplay  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience rewriting the feature film screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 650.
SCWR 660  Writing the Drama TV Series Spec  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a "spec" episode of a current one-hour drama.

Prerequisites: SCWR 510 or SCWR 511; SCWR 540 or SCWR 550.
SCWR 661  Writing an Original Drama Pilot  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience creating an original one-hour drama series and writing the pilot teleplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 660 or SCWR 670.
Repeatable for credit up to 6 semester hours.
SCWR 670  Writing the Comedy TV Series Spec  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a "spec" episode of a current half-hour situation comedy.

Prerequisites: SCWR 510 or SCWR 511; SCWR 540 or SCWR 550.
SCWR 671  Writing an Original Comedy Pilot  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience creating an original half-hour situation comedy series and writing the pilot teleplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 660 or SCWR 670.
Repeatable for credit up to 6 semester hours.
SCWR 675  Rewriting the Television Pilot: Comedy and Drama  (3 semester hours)  
Rewriting original pilot projects so that they are ‘reader ready’ for the industry.

Prerequisite: SCWR 661 or SCWR 671
SCWR 680  Preproduction for Thesis Project  (3 semester hours)  
A "real life" experience writing and producing a television series; includes adapting the original pilot and pre-producing a short presentation.

Prerequisites: SCWR 611; SCWR 661 or 671
SCWR 681  Post-Production for Thesis Project  (3 semester hours)  
A "real life" experience writing and producing a television series; includes producing and post-producing pilot presentation and a final professional presentation to an audience and faculty committee.

Prerequisite: SCWR 680.
SCWR 685  The Business of Entertainment  (3 semester hours)  
Classroom lectures, guest speakers, panel discussions from entertainment industry business affairs professionals in the field of artist management, development, financing, and distribution.

Prerequisites: SCWR 541 or SCWR 670 or 660.
SCWR 690  Thesis Screenplay Project  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a feature-length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 651
SCWR 691  Rewriting Thesis Screenplay Project  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience rewriting a feature film screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 690.
SCWR 692  Feature Film and Television Portfolio Workshop  (3 semester hours)  
Develop new or continue to work on previously written material to raise the quality of portfolio to industry standard; includes preparing marketing materials for projects.

Prerequisite: SCWR 680 or SCWR 690.
SCWR 698  Special Studies  (0-4 semester hours)  
SCWR 699  Independent Studies  (0-3 semester hours)  
Independent studies.
SCWR 800  Special Studies  (0-4 semester hours)  
Special Elective Topics
SCWR 810  Playwriting  (3 semester hours)  
Students will write and rewrite two short plays, and participate in a structured writer’s room. Examples of monologues and short plays will be analyzed and screened.
SCWR 811  Writing for Late Night TV  (3 semester hours)  
This course will teach students how to construct monologue jokes, develop topical pitches and desk piece ideas, and write sketches. By the end of the term, they'll leave with a professional-quality submission packet for applying to late-night shows.
SCWR 816  Creating Reality TV  (3 semester hours)  
Students will analyze reality TV dating shows “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” create a campus dream date show segment, and develop their own reality TV show concept with a sizzle reel and pitch deck.
SCWR 817  SS: Worldbuilding 101  (3 semester hours)  
This course will equip students with the methods, devices, and techniques necessary to construct compelling worlds for stories and characters. Throughout the course, students will refine their world-building skills across various genres and forms, culminating in the creation of their own unique, fictional world.
SCWR 818  Writing Animated TV  (3 semester hours)  
This course will equip students with the methods, devices, and techniques necessary to construct compelling worlds for stories and characters. Throughout the course, students will refine their world-building skills across various genres and forms, culminating in the creation of their own unique, fictional world.
SCWR 820  Writing the Comedy Web Series  (3 semester hours)  
This course offers students practical experience in developing and writing short form comedy pilot scripts, focusing on character development, breaking story, emotional throughline, and joke writing. The course will also simulate a TV writer's room, providing students with opportunities to pitch ideas, receive feedback, and collaborate with others to position themselves for success in the evolving entertainment industry.
SCWR 825  Adaptation for WPTV  (3 semester hours)  
This course explores the process for choosing and adapting pre-existing source material to the screen. By examining what works and what does not work in various adaptations, students will learn how to approach source material and develop their own unique perspective. Students will complete a final adaptation project of a first act for a feature or a television pilot based on material in the public domain.
SCWR 826  Writing the Feature for Directors  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a first draft feature length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501
Film and Television Production graduate majors only.
SCWR 827  Writing Shorts for Production  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in writing production-ready short scripts based on or inspired by their existing feature or pilot TV scripts or for a stand-alone project.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501 or SCWR 510 or SCWR 511.
Graduate students only.
School of Film and Television majors only.
SCWR 830  Genres of Horror  (3 semester hours)  
This class uses horror films to explore the concept of humanity. It covers topics like the protagonist's desires, the role of the monster, and the evolution of the genre. Students will analyze films, identify key influences, and examine themes like rites of passage and the female body. The class will culminate in writing an outline and the first act of a screenplay or pilot that reflects on the human condition through the lens of fear.
SCWR 840  Producing - Marketing - Selling Independent Features  (3 semester hours)  
This course focuses on the later stages of film production, including packaging, finance, sales, and marketing. Students will come to class with their well-developed project and will examine films in the marketplace, the work of marketers and distributors, using case studies and hands-on exercises.
SCWR 841  Film and TV Development  (3 semester hours)  
This course teaches students how to analyze and create concepts for TV and film, providing an overview of the entertainment industry and how to sell ideas. Teams will be formed to develop and pitch original comedy and drama TV shows and film concepts. Additionally, students will research and report on the needs of film studios and TV buyers.
SCWR 842  Developing, Selling and Monetizing Digital  (3 semester hours)  
This course explores the changing world of television through the development of digital distribution, branded entertainment, and web series. Students will develop their own idea which will then be developed into a pitch. The semester will culminate in showing and pitching their web series or alternate digital content to branded and digital buyers.
SCWR 6800  Special Studies  (0-4 semester hours)  
Special Elective Topics
SCWR 6810  Playwriting  (3 semester hours)  
Students will write and rewrite two short plays, and participate in a structured writer’s room. Examples of monologues and short plays will be analyzed and screened.
SCWR 6811  Writing for Late Night TV  (3 semester hours)  
This course will teach students how to construct monologue jokes, develop topical pitches and desk piece ideas, and write sketches. By the end of the term, they'll leave with a professional-quality submission packet for applying to late-night shows.
SCWR 6816  Creating Reality TV  (3 semester hours)  
Students will analyze reality TV dating shows “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” create a campus dream date show segment, and develop their own reality TV show concept with a sizzle reel and pitch deck.
SCWR 6817  SS: Worldbuilding 101  (3 semester hours)  
This course will equip students with the methods, devices, and techniques necessary to construct compelling worlds for stories and characters. Throughout the course, students will refine their world-building skills across various genres and forms, culminating in the creation of their own unique, fictional world.
SCWR 6818  Writing Animated TV  (3 semester hours)  
This course will equip students with the methods, devices, and techniques necessary to construct compelling worlds for stories and characters. Throughout the course, students will refine their world-building skills across various genres and forms, culminating in the creation of their own unique, fictional world.
SCWR 6820  Writing the Comedy Web Series  (3 semester hours)  
This course offers students practical experience in developing and writing short form comedy pilot scripts, focusing on character development, breaking story, emotional throughline, and joke writing. The course will also simulate a TV writer's room, providing students with opportunities to pitch ideas, receive feedback, and collaborate with others to position themselves for success in the evolving entertainment industry.
SCWR 6825  Adaptation for WPTV  (3 semester hours)  
This course explores the process for choosing and adapting pre-existing source material to the screen. By examining what works and what does not work in various adaptations, students will learn how to approach source material and develop their own unique perspective. Students will complete a final adaptation project of a first act for a feature or a television pilot based on material in the public domain.
SCWR 6826  Writing the Feature for Directors  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience writing a first draft feature length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501
Film and Television Production graduate majors only.
SCWR 6827  Writing Shorts for Production  (3 semester hours)  
Practical experience in writing production-ready short scripts based on or inspired by their existing feature or pilot TV scripts or for a stand-alone project.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501 or SCWR 510 or SCWR 511.
Graduate students only.
School of Film and Television majors only.
SCWR 6830  Genres of Horror  (3 semester hours)  
This class uses horror films to explore the concept of humanity. It covers topics like the protagonist's desires, the role of the monster, and the evolution of the genre. Students will analyze films, identify key influences, and examine themes like rites of passage and the female body. The class will culminate in writing an outline and the first act of a screenplay or pilot that reflects on the human condition through the lens of fear.
SCWR 6840  Producing - Marketing - Selling Independent Features  (3 semester hours)  
This course focuses on the later stages of film production, including packaging, finance, sales, and marketing. Students will come to class with their well-developed project and will examine films in the marketplace, the work of marketers and distributors, using case studies and hands-on exercises.
SCWR 6841  Film and TV Development  (3 semester hours)  
This course teaches students how to analyze and create concepts for TV and film, providing an overview of the entertainment industry and how to sell ideas. Teams will be formed to develop and pitch original comedy and drama TV shows and film concepts. Additionally, students will research and report on the needs of film studios and TV buyers.
SCWR 6842  Developing, Selling and Monetizing Digital  (3 semester hours)  
This course explores the changing world of television through the development of digital distribution, branded entertainment, and web series. Students will develop their own idea which will then be developed into a pitch. The semester will culminate in showing and pitching their web series or alternate digital content to branded and digital buyers.