1.2 Scriptwriting

SCRIPT WRITING

Being able to write films/short films properly and effectively is core to filmmaking and to this course. The film starts off with the script - it’s the source of everything you see and hear in films and television.

Most job roles work closely with the script and every person on set must be able to read and understand a script, so the best way to understand is to learn the rules and be able to write a script yourself. This will most likely be a necessary skill in your final major project.

First things first, make a new blog and call it 1.2 Scriptwriting Project. This will be where you upload all of your research and work.

Here is a guide on how to make a blog if you cannot remember 



Task 1: First Draft Memory Script

Before we get on to scriptwriting think of a childhood memory  - preferably a positive one - and write it out as a story (in Google Drive) around a page in length. 

You should try to write this from a 3rd person perspective. Try to make the memory into a story and make it interesting to read - use adverbs and adjectives to do help with this.

We will be using this as a reference to monitor our progress as writers

Task 1.2: Generating Ideas 

SCRIPTWRITING – KEY ELEMENTS

The Plot - The first thing to do is to work out what your script is going to be about. Then you need to create a plot - i.e. basically what happens in your story and in what order.

Scripts are either Fiction (Note real) or Non-Fiction (Based on real Events)

The best scripts written are based on a writer’s experience and/or knowledge.

Key phrase in scriptwriting is: Write what you know!

STORY IDEAS

Where do you find good stories? Consider following:

a) Newspapers

b) Magazines

c) Books

d) Comics

e) Own experiences

f) Mythology

g) etc

TASK - Click HERE

Task 2: Characters

Protagonist & Antagonist slides

Use this sheet to complete your design

Task 3: Basic script filming 

Todays brief is to film & edit a page of script. Use this script. Read through in your groups of 3. Use the lesson to shoot and edit your 2 pages. 

Think about the action, dialogue, settings. all the elements that you need to consider when deciding what shot to use. Think about it as a sequence.

Task 4: Basic script knowledge & BFI Task

Watch this scriptwriting tutorial 1 - Video 1

Now watch this BFI short film whilst you go through the script 

Once you have linked the visuals to the script start to answer the questions HERE

Task 5: Understanding scripts presentation

Watch this scriptwriting tutorial 2 - Video 2  Watch from 7:00

Now start to create your own analysis of scene to script and what works. How can you tell what happens in a scene just from reading an action script. 

You need to decide on a scene from a film of your choice (One you can find on Youtube) and then find the original script. 

You then need to record your analysis on your phone. Walk through the script and analyse covering these areas. You will then use this recording to edit a video when you are in college. You will have your audio linked with the scene and script together. 

- How can you tell what genre it is?

- How does it build tension or change emotions?

- What part of the film is your scene and can you tell this?

- Has the film changed to the original script, if so why do you think that has happened?

This is a good example - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6mjgvuCu4A

Task 6: Basic script knowledge

Basic Script Formatting Knowledge PPT

Now we need to understand the rules and formatting of screenplays. Start by reading the first ten pages of a script - like this one Iron Man or this one Toy Story. When reading the script focus on how it is written and on your blog answer these questions

-What perspective is the script written in?
-Is a script written in past, present or future tense?
-On average, how much of the script is spent on action & slugline (description)? Answer as a percentage
-List different things that were described or could be described in the "action" part of the script

After make notes whilst you watch this video on screenplay formatting 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CjlKQclsWo -On your blog,  write down the 8 topics this video covers and your notes for each topic

Task 7: Annotated script and component explanation

 
Now go back to the script from task 6 or find a completely new one and download it/screenshot it. Go on to pdfzorro and upload the script and start to annotate it for at least two pages of the script.

Use
-Red boxes - slugline
-Green boxes - action
-Blue boxes - character
-Pink boxes - dialogue
-Black boxes - parentheticals

Write an explanation of what each component of the script does and include rules and format to your answer.

Task 7.2: Memory Redraft 

After sign up to Celtx.com and start to redraft your memory story into a script format. Remember all of the components we've looked at 

Watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPHIb1RweeI and go rewrite your action - summarise the changes you made the impact it has on the quality. Ensure in your action you have the following:
-Simile
-Metaphor
-Adjective
-Adverb
-A short line of action (1 sentence long or shorter)

Task 8: Genre & Brief 

Before we look at the brief you will have to create a script from a genre of your choice. You will have to understand the conventions that go into that genre before you start to write up your script. 

To understand genre you must research (This must be shown on your blog) the conventions of that genre and what elements need to be included in your script/story idea.

You will need to research:

- What is genre?

- What conventions or Tropes make up a specific genre?

- How to write for a specific genre? 

- What is narrative theory and how can you use it to design your own idea. 

You will need to use alot of tools to research, for example, Google, YouTube, The Library etc.

Here is an example if I was wanting to write a Horror Script - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I94-a6J8Vw8

You would need to blog all your research and show how it will help your overall brief. 

Genre Slide show & Task

Task 8.2: Brief / Netflix

Brief for your script writing project - Here

Before you start to research into your genre choice and start your script. Start to work through your Netflix brief/questions - Here

Task 9: Project Start: Write your original script 

Use this title on your blog. Project start: Write an original script.

Sign up to StudioBinder.com to start your scripts 

You can lay out you project in this format. However you may design your layout how you want to. 

Context

Netflix Task 

Research 

All of the above tasks we have been doing. You then can also research your chosen genre, conventions, character types, narrative structure (3 Act Structure) - Short Google slide show

Practical 

8 - 10 Pages of script (1st & 2nd Draft)

Evaluation

Self evaluate after 1st draft table read. Peer feedback & Final evaluation.