MEA 208 - Advanced Screenwriting - Ron Mita

Introduction

Ron Mita is the only professional screenwriting professor at College of the Canyons.

Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Master’s degree in screenwriting, Ron sold his first screenplay to Columbia Pictures in 1993 and has worked professionally as a screenwriter since then, with projects at Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Tri-Star Pictures, HBO, TNT, Warner Brothers, Screen Gems, Dreamworks, and CBS. 

Ron has four produced films: the Animated feature film ROBOTS at 20th Century Fox, S.W.A.T, starring SamuelColin Ferrall at Columbia Pictures, and SNIPER II ,  L. Jackson and starring Tom Berenger at Tri-Star and 24 HOURS TO LIVE, starring Ethan Hawke which just left Netflix and can be seen on Amazon Prime.

Ron's films have earned in excess of $530,000,000 worldwide.  In addition to screenwriting, Ron has taught writing and filmmaking at College of the Canyons since 2002.

Course Description

This course has been designed for students ready to dive deeper into screenwriting and an advanced level.  The overall focus will be for the students to write a solid first draft of an original screenplay. 

Story Structure and Narrative Techniques

• • Advanced approaches to three-act structure and non-linear storytelling.
  • Exploring alternative structures, including episodic and anthology formats.
  • Using subplots and thematic layering to deepen narratives.

Character Development and Arc

• • Crafting multi-dimensional characters with compelling flaws and motivations.
  • Techniques for creating dynamic character arcs that drive the story.
  • Understanding the interplay between protagonist and antagonist.

Dialogue Mastery

• • Writing authentic and character-specific dialogue.
  • Subtext and its role in creating tension and depth.
  • Editing dialogue for maximum impact and economy.

Genre-Specific Writing

• • Exploring genre conventions and how to innovate within them.
  • Balancing audience expectations with originality.
  • Writing for emerging genres and hybrid storytelling.

The Art of Pacing

• • Techniques for maintaining audience engagement.
  • Balancing exposition, action, and character moments.
  • Managing tension and release throughout the screenplay.

Visual Storytelling and Scene Craft

• • Writing scenes with strong visual and emotional impact.
  • Integrating action, setting, and subtext for cinematic storytelling.
  • Techniques for crafting memorable openings and climaxes.

World-Building and Setting

• • Creating immersive and believable worlds, from grounded dramas to speculative fiction.
  • Balancing exposition and subtlety in world-building details.
  • Making the setting an active participant in the story.

Rewriting and Polishing

• • Strategies for effective self-editing and refining drafts.
  • Receiving and incorporating feedback from collaborators.
  • Identifying and fixing common issues in pacing, structure, and tone.

Business of Screenwriting

• • Pitching techniques and crafting a compelling logline.
  • Navigating the industry: agents, managers, and studios.
  • Legal and professional considerations for screenwriters.

Experimental and Emerging Trends

• • Exploring experimental formats, such as interactive screenwriting.
  • Writing for streaming platforms, serialized narratives, and shorts.
  • Adapting stories for transmedia and cross-platform storytelling.

What to Expect in this Course

Our class meets once a week remotely via Zoom.  We do expect you to attend as the informatioin discussed in each leture is vital.  To that end you should have access to a computer, web cam and the internet.  Any assigments and lecture recordings will be kept on our class Canvas page.

There will be a few small projects, but the mai focus will be on your final screenplay

Types of Assessments

The majority of our assessments will be our discussion boards and written assignments.  This is a writing class, so you can expect to write.

Textbook Information

No books.

Other Relevant Course Information

Your success in this class is predicated on only one thing - your willingness to do the work and participate.  A screenplay is a work of art, and anyone can criticize it, but no one can honestly say it is bad or good.  If you do the work, you ca easily get an A in this class.  But more importantly, if you do the work, you will have a completed screenplay in your hand when the semester ends, which is worth much more than a good grade.

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 01/15/2025 Sub#: 1885