Writing Across Cultures

Today please work on your TV Script project while in the lab. Use this time in the lab to get your writing done. All scenarios and character cards should be complete. Do not waste your time. If you need a break (also homework, see below) please post a forum comment about the horror/suspense novel you are reading. Please post under post #2. HOMEWORK: Please read the essay "A World of Dark and Disturbing Ideas" & "Darkening the Mood". Feel free to write a horror/suspense story for your portfolio (which is due Monday, Nov. 28.) Post a forum response to the book you are reading. This should be your second post concerning the book.

Unlike film, television is not subtle. In movies, major plot points may happen off-screen, and key characters may ponder over big decisions in relative silence. Not so in TV! Like a theatrical script, characters usually talk out their problems with other characters. If they are hot or cold or sad or angry, they say so. In television almost nothing is left open for interpretation. Major plot points always play out on-screen, in full view of the viewing audience. One great tip to remember about TV writing is that at any moment a viewer can choose to turn off the program or change the channel. This is not easily done in film (DVD's are an exception), and impossible in a play--apart from walking away or leaving the theater or cinema. That means you can't afford to be coy or aloof with your meaning. Tell it like it is, but tell it with everything you've got. If you bore your audience, they turn the channel. One of the ways television writers keep their audience hooked ...

Here are a few terms and important key elements to any television or film script: TEASER : a teaser is usually the hook or inciting incident that appears just before the first commercial break and/or the main title sequence for the episode. Each new scene is indicated by a SLUG LINE . This lets the director, actors, and tech crew know where you have set the scene and what time of day or lighting is needed for the scene. Each time you change location you need a new SLUG LINE. Slug lines include: INT or EXT (interior or exterior), location, and morning, day, afternoon, evening, dusk, or night. See script format for more details. An ACTION BLOCK is where you can fill in details for your location, and explain what your characters are doing. Action is always written in present tense, and follows standard rules of capitalization and punctuation (i.e., no fragments here, folks! Proofread!) Any time a character is named, use ALL CAPS to indicate the character is in the scene. If yo...

Today, after your journal exercise, we'll take a look at some tv scripting advice. Once you get in your television writing teams, please complete the following during period 1. Together, for each MAJOR character in your series, create a white index card with their name, short physical description, and personality description. Together, do the same for minor characters. For the episode you are writing, working by yourself add any specific characters you are likely to need. Together, brainstorm and create a season of 6 episodes (the BBC standard). On one side of the index card (a total of 6 of them) write out the premise and basic plot of the episode in what is called a LOG LINE. On that same side, name the characters that will appear in the episode. A logline is a one-sentence summary of your script. It's a short blurb in TV guides that tells you what a movie or show is about that helps you decide if you're interested in seeing it. It's the hook that will ge...

Please read the pop culture essay "The Contagious Age" and respond to it in your journal. After writing Jenee has a Powerpoint presentation she'd like to give. We will then screen the pilot episodes of The Tick , a clip from Lost , and a clip from Star Trek . As you watch please note the formatting for a television program. At the end of our screening, please read the article "Joke's on Us: Reality TV" and respond to the article. Television writing project reexplained. Where do Ideas Come From: Rod Sterling How to Write a Television Script 1. Groups of 2-5 2. Choose a genre of TV film; decide if you are writing a 1/2 hour or hour program. No reality film projects please. These are not scripted the same way. 3. Tips about writing for TV. 4. Create a cast of characters (lead, guest, and supporting characters) for your show  5. Create a series of show ideas on index cards. You will need one per writer in your group. HOMEWORK: Please continue ...

Today, in the library and lab, please do the following: 1. Post a mid-read response to the suspense/horror book you chose from the library to our forum. Discuss how it's going for you so far. What do you think of the book or collection? What is keeping you reading (if anything)? What have you noticed about the plot, character, theme, setting, etc. or the writer's style? What have you learned about writing from reading the book so far? 2. Get together in groups of 2-5. Brainstorm (to hand in) ideas for a television show that your group will like to pilot. You can pick any genre or length, from sit com (22 minutes) to an hour (48 minutes). 3. Check out television scripts at the link page to the left. The Daily Script is here as well. 4. Check out the television script formatting on the link page to the left. HOMEWORK: Aim to finish your chosen suspense/horror book by early next week. Read any of the television scripts on the webpage link.

Today are our last day to present for the pop culture presentations. Please be cognizant of time, barring any unforeseen circumstances. If we have time, I will talk to you about portfolios. HOMEWORK: Keep reading your selected horror/suspense book. You should aim to finish this by the end of the week or the beginning of next week at the latest.

Today we will continue delivering our Pop Culture Presentations. Students who are absent or unwilling or unable to deliver their projects will have Monday ONLY to deliver their project presentation. Students who do not deliver their presentations will lose participation credit and may risk failing the marking period. Please turn in your late portfolio today, if you have not yet done so. No portfolios will be taken AFTER Friday. HOMEWORK: Please continue reading your selected novel.

Today, we will begin delivering presentations. Please note that your reflective essay portion of your project should be slipped into your portfolio along with your MLA Works Cited page. If you have not yet done so, plan on choosing a Stephen King (or contemporary horror/mystery) book from the library and begin reading for our next unit after television. Please sign up on the sheet passed around today to tell me which book you have chosen. HOMEWORK: Read your chosen book.

Your portfolios and projects are due next class. This is your last day in the marking period to use the lab during class to complete your portfolio and pop culture project. Please have visual aides and materials ready to present to the class on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Some reminders about your portfolio: 1. You should have printed and ready to hand in your portfolio for Tuesday, Oct. 11. Please do not expect to print out your work during class. Come to class prepared! 2. Your portfolio should have a  reflective essay discussing the items you have included in the portfolio. This is similar to your previous creative writing portfolios in the past. Remember 9 & 10th grade. Specifically, this is the time and place to let me know if you want specific feedback on your work. 3. Check the portfolio rubric. Pop Culture Project 1. You must include an MLA formatted works cited page with your reflective essay. 2. The essay (3 or more pages, double spaced) should examine the details and...

Today during period one, please complete the quiz and discussion for Jennifer Government . Rate your group leader; group leaders rate your group participants. When you have completed your discussion, please retire to the library lab for the following assignments: 1. Write a response to the novel Jennifer Government on the forum. (see link to the right of this screen) 2. Work on your presentations. 3. Work on your portfolio. The portfolio is due Tuesday, Oct. 11. We will be in the library Thursday the entire class.