Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: FLMC-2335 (Section: 71, CRN: 93223)
Screenwriting for Features, Shorts and Documentaries
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Instructor Information
Instructor Danielle Nicholson
Email nicholsondm@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 681-4312
Office Press Building - Room: 105C
Office Hours Mondays: 11 am - 3 pm
Tuesdays: 2:30 - 3 pm
Wednesdays: 11 am - 3 pm
Thursdays: 2:30 - 3 pm
Fridays: 11 am - 3 pm

Additional Contact Information See Blackboard for 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.

You will be reading excerpts from the following titles in Blackboard. You are welcome to buy the following titles in print if you prefer the print reading experience.
  • 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
Introduction to Screenwriting
Understanding Story
Script Formatting
Writing
Writing for Genres
Pitching Your Script
Final Project
 

Major Assignments Schedule Week 1 – Aug 25 – Connect course structure to outcomes; Why screenplays matter as both art and craft
Week 2 – Sep 1 – Overview of screenwriting as a profession and creative discipline
Week 3 – Sep 8 – Elements of story: premise, theme, conflict
Week 4 – Sep 15 – Story arcs and narrative structures (three-act, hero’s journey, episodic)
Week 5 – Sep 22 – World-building and dramatic tension; Building treatment outlines
Week 6 – Sep 29 – Introduction to screenwriting software; Formatting conventions (slug lines, dialogue, action)
Week 7 – Oct 6 – Formatting practice and peer review
Week 8 – Oct 13 – Writing scenes: dialogue, pacing, character motivation
Week 9 – Oct 20 – Sequencing scenes and building acts
Week 10 – Oct 27 – Genre conventions: drama, comedy, thriller, documentary
Week 11 – Nov 3 – Cross-genre blending and creative risks; Adapting a concept into a new genre
Week 12 – Nov 10 – Writing loglines, synopses, and elevator pitches; Practice video pitches
Week 13 – Nov 17 – Submit full screenplay draft
Week 14 – Dec 1 – Deliver final pitch presentations; Peer and instructor feedback

Final Exam Date December 1, 2025 - 12:0 AM   Through  December 5, 2025 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale
  • 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
The course is made up of weekly assignments. Your final grade is an average of your weekly assignment grades.

Weekly Assignments: 100%
 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
Attendance Policy
Additional Information
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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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:CASP
Email:CASP
Phone:(409) 983-4921