Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: FLMC-2335 (Section: 71, CRN: 93223)
Screenwriting for Features, Shorts and Documentaries 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Danielle Nicholson
Email nicholsondm@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 681-4312
Office Press Building - Room: 105C
Office Hours Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Wednesdays, 8:30am - 2:30pm
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description Advanced concepts and applied screenwriting techniques for feature length film or video work and related new media storytelling.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

  • Screenwriter's Bible, 7th Edition: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script. Publisher: ‎ Silman-James Pr; Expanded, Updated edition (August 30, 2019) ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1935247210. By David Trotter.
  • Documentary Storytelling, Creative Nonfiction on Screen by Sheila Curran Bernard. ISBN 9781032267296
Additional Materials/Resources

Additional readings, videos, etc. will be available in Blackboard.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze and evaluate screenplays to include standard script format;
  • Create own story concepts for feature length projects and shorter form works; 
  • Apply development techniques to expand specific concepts into synopsis or treatments; 
  • Design structure and write screenplay using screenwriting software; 
  • Describe and apply revision tools to writing.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Lecture Topics Outline
  • Understanding Story 
  • Creating Captivating Characters
  • Writing and Revision
  • Script Formatting
  • Selling Your Idea 
Major Assignments Schedule

  • Week 1 - August 26

    • Introductions

    • Welcome survey (required)

    • Course expectations, syllabus, and major assignment discussion

  • Week 2 - September 2

    • Introduction to Screenwriting

  • Week 3 - September 9

    • Understanding Story Part 1

  • Week 4 - September 16

    • Understanding Story Part 2

  • Week 5 - September 23

    • Understanding Story Part 3

  • Week 6 - September 29

    • Script formatting Part 1

  • Week 7 - October 7

    • Script formatting Part 2

  • Week 8 - October 14

    • Writing Part 1

  • Week 9 - October 20

    • Writing Part 2

  • Week 10 - October 28

    • Writing for Genres Part 1

  • Week 11 - November 4

    • Writing for Genres Part 2

  • Week 12 November 11 

    • Pitching Your Script.  

  • Week 13 November 18

    • Final Project Due 

  • Week 14 - December 2

    • Final Project Pitch Due
Final Exam Date November 18, 2024 - 12:00 AM   Through  November 22, 2024 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale

This course is a points based course, where 

  • 100-90 points = A
  • 80-89 points = B
  • 70-79 points = C
  • 60-69 points = D
  • Below 59 points = F
  • Extra credit option 1 = 10 points
  • Extra credit option 2 = 10 points
Determination of
Final Grade

  • Projects, exams, and participation points are assigned throughout the semester. The following projects, exams, and participation points are assigned as follows. 

    • Weekly Quizzes = 24 points 

    • Final Project Pitch = 25 points

    • Final Project = 50 points

    • Extra Credit = Referral program (enroll a new student for Spring 2025) = 10 points

    • Extra Credit = Provide a testimonial video promoting the program for future students = 10 points 

  • Students may monitor their point accumulation via Blackboard.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

  • Office Hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 - 2:30 pm and Wednesdays from 8:30 - 2:30. Additional times are available by appointment and you must book a time through this webpage. Feel free to email me at nicholsondm@lamarpa.edu at any time or call my office number ​​(409) 681-4312 and leave a voicemail. 

  • I highly recommend you to visit me during office hours and share your thoughts and ideas about your projects and what you are learning in class. If you foresee any barriers to completing your assignments, please raise these concerns early with me so that we can find a suitable solution if possible.
Attendance Policy To be successful in this course, students must devote approximately 4.5 hours of time to this course (and more when preparing the final projects). This time will be spent reading/watching the course content, taking quizzes, and working on the final project.
Additional Information Your final project for this course will be a script (50 points). A video pitch—a video of you pitching your script idea—will be due the following week (25) points. Your script and pitch must reflect what you have learned in the readings/videos throughout the semester.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Dr. Blas Canedo Gonzalez
Email:canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6547