Welcome To Screenwriting Class

This is a letter to those of your enrolled in class since we may not see each other in person right away or ever. I work hard to try and make this both fun and rigorous.  

Of the utmost importance  is that you make a sincere effort over the entire semester.

As I say to my brick and mortar classes at the opening of every semester, my goal is to support every one of you as you learn the main objectives associated with this class.  We all have different ways of learning and demonstrating our understanding. I have tried to offer different ways for you to learn the material and for you to demonstrate that learning.  While copying someone else’s work is not acceptable, I do encourage you to help and support one another. I would like to see you all succeed.  

Especially with an online class, the one inexcusable choice is the choice to put off the work.  I’m sure some of you will — and you may have very honorable and valid reasons.

However, if you can’t do the work in a timely manner, you let down the entire class. If we have moved on to a new topic and you belatedly post on the discussion board — we all miss out.  You don’t get read by your peers, and they don’t get the opportunity to learn from your perspective.

Since I won’t get to personally introduce you to the class, I thought I would walk your through the basic process.

First, make sure you are able to get online regularly and get to blackboard.  There are some things in blackboard that don’t work well on a phone. You can do much of the work for this class on your phone, but not all of it.  If you don’t have the VLC Media player (free on iOS, Android, and Windows), consider downloading it. If you don’t have a computer at home, you will need some access to one.  There are tons of free computers at the many BMCC labs. There are also libraries throughout the city. Work it out, or come back and take the class at a time when you do have access.

From the top:

• Please watch the video (link on the overview and also mailed to the email address that blackboard has on file for you).  If you are having trouble, go to the elearning center on the 5th floor of the main building. Required for online suggested for live.

• Complete the first discussion board, (remember to say WHY you like the film you choose), and respond to a colleague – just to make simple, the first two people to respond, give one another feedback… and so on…
• One warning.  I will be very strict about deadlines.  The beauty of online is that you can do the work whenever you want… so find a time and make sure you meet deadlines.

NOTE: be sure you read the expectations for this class found below and acknowledge that you understand the norms and expectations for this class in your discussion board post.

If you are in an online section,  we will not be meeting in person, it is imperative that we communicate regularly via the class platform, Blackboard.  There will be weekly assignments that must be done in a timely manner. Each week there will be some reading, and some activities?

Many students do not understand how an online class functions.  You MUST complete work on a timely basis. You may work when it is convenient for you, but you must work regularly and on a weekly basis.  You may NOT push off all the work until the end of the semester.  If this is your first semester and you are not comfortable working online, you should wait a semester and take this later.

The expectation from BMCC for this class is that there are 3 hours of class per week.  BMCC guidelines are that you are expected to do a minimum of an equal amount of time outside of class — so that means 3 hours of class time plus three hours of outside work.  As this is online, that means you are expected to devote no less than six hours per week reading, watching films completing activities, and WRITING.

You are expected to work on a weekly basis.  Not keeping up will mean that you have not completed the requirements of the class and hence will not have earned a passing mark.

If you cannot or do not want to do this, please drop this class and come back and take it when you can devote the time, you are always welcome 🙂

I have added this section as online classes are relatively new to BMCC and several students did not understand the requirements in the past.

All class materials can be found in a google folder, so that if you are having trouble with blackboard, you can still keep up.

The Google folder that has it all (click here)

Requirements:

Reading — There will be weekly reading assignments. This is a Zero Textbook Cost class.  All students have access to the Ebook version of the required text.

Films – Each week there will be a films — almost entirely on Youtube.

Activities – Each week there will be one or more activities for you to complete.  It is imperative that these be completed in a timely manner. The opportunity to complete them will end the following week.  As life can throw us all some curveballs you will each have one opportunity to complete one of the activities after the due date.  

Buddy – (Still working this out) Each student will be paired off with another student.  You will be expected to give honest and helpful feedback to you buddy. Your buddy is also there if you get a little confused or have a question.  If your buddy can’t help you, then you should reach out to me. The buddy system has been an issue in the past. I strongly suggest you pair off and support one another.  In terms of giving feedback, you will do it thus.

Assignments and Feedback Every assignment is via the discussion board.  Please give and receive feedback using the following system.  If you are an odd numbered poster (one who has posted) then you exchange feedback with the person who posts after you.  If you are an even numbered poster, you post with the person before you. So the first person shares with the second, the third with the fourth, and so on.

Online – A note about Blackboard.  Blackboard, like any platform, has its bugs.  At some point in the class it will let you down.  Stay strong, don’t get frustrated, and keep moving.  If you are writing anything of any length, I would recommend writing it in microsoft word, google sheets, or as an email draft, and then copy and paste it into blackboard.  That way if there is a problem, you have a backup copy. If you have a problem with Blackboard, you will have my sympathy (I certainly have had mine), but it will not be an excuse for not turning in work.  However, if you are attaching a file with your writing, it should be a PDF only!

If you have questions about the class, you are probably NOT alone.  Feel free to post to the discussion board

There will also be surveys along the way to find out from you what is working and what could use some adjustment in this online version of class.   The surveys are anonymous.

Professor response and support  – I will respond to questions and posts within 48 hours on weekdays and 72 hours on weekends.  You can email me as well.

Please note if you are having problems with Blackboard, check out bmcc student  tech support or contact the elearning center

• Contact Name: E-Learning Center
• Phone: 1-212-220-8126
• Email: esupport@bmcc.cuny.edu

 

Please Know – Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing is urged to contact student affairs, room S350 or call 212 220 8130.

Finally – You MUST acknowledge that you read and understand the expectations and requirements of this class (as described above) by stating “I understand the expectations and requirements of the class” in your first discussion board post.  Also BMCC requires that you complete an online orientation. When you complete this,  you will receive a certificate. Attach a copy of the certificate to your first Discussion Board post.  This acts as your attendance verification since we will not be regularly meeting in person.

TO BE CLEAR, AS THERE IS NO ATTENDANCE PER SE, YOU ARE NOT CONSIDERED ENROLLED IN CLASS UNTIL ALL OF THE ABOVE HAVE BEEN POSTED. 

You are welcome to email me at ssloves@bmcc.cuny.edu

Good Luck, PSS