Topics in Media Writing (360-0-25)

Topic

Writing the Romantic Comedy

Instructors

Hope Rehak

Meeting Info

Annie May Swift Hall 219: Tues 6:00PM - 8:50PM

Overview of class

Students will learn the conventions of the romantic comedy screenplay as it has coalesced and cohered in the last 90 years, from the screwball comedies of the 1930s to the 1980s and 1990s iterations of the genre by the likes of Richard Curtis, Nora Ephron, and on through to modern interpretations by the likes of Celine Song and Nathan Bryon. Through weekly viewing assignments and writing homework, each student will develop a logline, outline, pitch deck, and pages for a romantic comedy script of their own.

Registration Requirements

Dept prereqs

Learning Objectives

As in the study of fine and applied art, students are always welcome to innovate on the form, provided they have first studied and learned the form. This writing class is about the genre of the romantic comedy, which is presented as a form of science fiction in which the stakes revolve around a central love story. The comedic element dates back to the Greeks and Shakespeare: the romantic comedy has certain conventions and conditions, including a reasonably happy ending, that must be satisfied in order to be called a romantic comedy. By the end of the term, students will have an outline, logline, pitch deck, and pages of a romcom script.

Class Materials (Required)

There is no required textbook associated with this class. However, I strongly recommend obtaining a copy of "The Eight Characters of Comedy" by Scott Sedita, and I plan to have a copy on reserve at the library.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration. Undergraduate students must have completed RTVF 260-0 in order to register for this course (concurrent registration is not allowed). Writing: MFA or Documentary Media: MFA students may register for this course.