423 brings together advanced screenwriting and production students from FTVM, actors from Theatre and Drama/Musical Theatre, and students with special design, sound, composing, and producing skills from other Schools and Colleges across the University to produce two  30-minute newly written stand-alone scripts based on feature screenplays from Screenwriting III . The goal of the course is to provide the screenwriters, the actors, and the production crew with the most integrated production environment possible, with lots of interaction between these three different domains. The writers re-write based on feedback from the actors, production crew and table readings of the scripts. The production crew works closely with the writer and actors to produce the 30-minute shorts. Students pitch for positions on the productions in late November or early December. The course starts by workshopping advanced drafts of the two scripts and the writers perfect them over the first few weeks. During this process, the production teams develop an in-depth production design based on an intimate knowledge of the script. Working with the actors the script will be rehearsed, and the production design, directorial, cinematographic, and acting approaches will be revised and developed as necessary to convey the full meaning of the script to the screen. As the scenes are shot the editors present rough cuts and the short is finished in time for a showing at Lightworks in April.

Course Requirements:

Assessment is based on participation (10%), peer evaluations (20%) and the final movie (70%). Screenwriters are graded on the basis of their scripts (70%) and their participation in the production (30%).

Intended Audience:

Undergraduates interested in working in, or a sustainable career in, any aspect of Film and/or Television. Preparation for FTVM 423 can be FTVM 400, 300, Cinematography, Editing, Television Production, Screenwriting, or any related field including Art, Photography, Music, Business, Communications, Acting or stage production and design. Writers and Screenplays come from FTVM 427.

Class Format:

The class meets for four hours once a week. During this time there are table reads, discussion, lectures, equipment workshops, production meetings, rehearsals, preparation for shooting, and editing. Additionally, production departments will meet with the instructor for 30 minutes per week.