MM 270
Writing for Multimedia - Team Script Writing Project

Team Script Writing Project: Coliteration

Coliteration is a shared writing experience. The goal for this assignment is to work as a team to complete a short screenplay based on a defined concept drawn at random. This somewhat replicates the concept of the 48 Hour Film Project, except that you will have more than 48 hours to work on it, and you only have to complete the written linear narrative script.

You will be assigned a team at random by the instructor, or based on a somewhat random selection process. Each team member should trade email addresses with all others. The best way to do this writing, and the least complicated, is to have some start it (Starter), the next person or people should write the middle (Propellers), then the last person can wrap it up (Closer).

To facilitate a smooth writing experience, you should decide on your major roles in the team:

  1. Starter -- this is the writer that begins the script. The Starter comes up with the characters' personalities, sets the opening scenes, introduces the main conflict, writes the hook.
  2. Propeller -- this is the middle writer on the script. The Propeller enhances the main conflict, introduces new conflicts, and moves the plot forward. The Propeller may resolve minor conflicts, but not the major ones. If you have more than three people on your team, then more than one person will have this role.
  3. Closer -- this is the writer that concludes the script.

Other, optional roles to play on the writing team are:

  1. Editor/ Formatter -- responsible for making the final document look good and follow all proper screen-writing conventions. May also have to do some editing or re-writing to make things make sense.
  2. Producer -- responsible for quality control of the script. The Producer can accept or reject ideas and send them back for re-write. In this classroom setting, this will be a very unpopular team member. Be advised that this may not be a role anyone wants to take on.

The instructor will play the role of instructor and also Executive Producer. Along with technical issues and objective grading, you will be graded on subjective criteria: does it work, is there an interest conflict, will it sell, etc.

Much like the 48 Hour Film Project, you will be given a random genre to write about. If your team doesn't like the genre, then you can take the following Opt Out Category Choice.

Opt Out Category Choice: Ethical Dilemma

If you draw a category your team absolutely doesn't want, you can opt-out and go with this category choice.

The Setup: Your script will be about three people (three main characters) who must deal with some ethical or moral dilemma. It should be some kind of drama, but it can include action. The relationship between the individuals must be defined in the script through the dialogue. All three characters do not need to be in all scenes, however, they must all contribute something substantial to the plot. You may use other supporting characters as necessary. This doesn't necessarily have to be a complete script, and this dilemma can be one section of a longer, feature-length script. Tension is critical here and the Executive Producer (your instructor) will be the ultimate judge of whether or not the tension works.

Grading

Your grade for either the Original Genre or Opt Out Category Choice is primarily based on

  1. your proper use of script-writing techniques (all writers)
  2. your ability to establish characters, theme, plot, setting (first writer)
  3. your ability to set up conflict (first writer and middle writers)
  4. your ability to follow and maintain a theme (middle writers)
  5. your ability to advance a plot forward (middle writers)
  6. your ability to conclude an idea and tie up all the loose ends of all conflicts (final writer)

The finished product should contain the following two features, The Script and The Summary:

The Script

  1. Use Times New Roman font, 12 point, left margin 1.25", right, top and bottom margin 1". You should include a header with your names and a footer with page numbers.
  2. Be no more than 12 minutes (12 to 15 pages approximately). It can be shorter.
  3. Name, shade or somehow identify which section is yours.
  4. The first writer should establish the characters and begin the theme. It should be clear to the readers the nature of the relationship between the characters based on the dialogue and limited action lines. (Note: don't SAY what the relationship is in action lines, unless you say something brief like "Joe, Mary's husband...")
  5. The first writer should establish at least one conflict and delay resolving the conflict (let another writer do that).
  6. All subsequent writers should follow the theme and advance the plot forward. You can set up and knock down minor conflicts in your sections, but delay resolving the major conflict. The best idea is to enhance the major conflict or add other related conflicts.
  7. The final writer should resolve the major conflicts and end the screenplay -- a good cliff-hanger is ok, as long as it is a clear breaking point.
  8. The final writer should send the instructor an email message with the completed assignment attached in Word document format. It should include a subject like:
    MM 270 Team 2 Script Jane Doe, Maria Gonzales, John Jacob, etc.

The Summary

All writers must write a brief summary of their role on the team and their assessment of how they performed. Brief means no more than 200 words.

All writers should turn in their summary in a Word document sent directly to the instructor as an attachment. Be sure to include your team number and a proper subject, like:

MM 270 Team 2 Summary Maria Gonzales