Script Writing

Importance of Format

– Why do we need special format for scripts?

– Ultimate goal is to make the script easy to read.

– Intended as a blueprint for production – must meet the needs of the various departments.

– Format has been designed so that the flow of the story is not interrupted by extraneous details on the page.
Who will read the script?
– actors
– directors
– producers
– casting manager
– location manager

Only use Courier 12 Point type.

Every one page – 1 min in screen time.

Dos and Don’ts

– Only print on one side of the page. Only use plain white paper.

– Put the page numbers, followed by a period in the upper right hand corner.

For class we will number individual scenes, but it is not professional standard.

– Don’t use correction fluid, don’t draw arrows, smiley faces, etc. on the page.

Margins

1’ Left Margin

1’ Right Margin

Slug Lines
Ext/Int – Location – Time (All Caps)

Action

Action Description
– Describes what can be seen on screen

– Stretches across entire page

Writing Style

– Action Description is always in Narrative Style, 3rd Person and Present tense.

– ‘What can be seen’ includes actions as well as descriptions.

– It is a good idea to suggest sizes and content through the writing but best to leave out specific shot references ( CU, WS, Push In etc…)

– This is the director’s job.

Character

Characters
– First appearance in Caps

– All other appearances normal.

Character Dialogue
– Name in Caps

– Left Margin at 3.5’ from edge of page

– Dialogue 2.5’’

Others

– The character name followed by (V.O) indicates Voice Over- Luke Skywalker (V.O)

– The character name followed by (O.S) indicates Off Screen – Han Solo (O.S)

– A parenthetical appears in dialogue to give specific description of movement, gesture, or method of delivery,

~ (sarcastically) or (waving)

Interactive Location – Week 12

Storytelling Techniques – Week 12

Interactive Location

Location – What comes to my mind? A Place / Venue

Interactive: Engage in it, actively participating in it.

Interactive Location means: A place which allows you to interact.

What is a location?

– Siberia,

– Adilah’s Mon’s House,

– Void deck where Jordus had his first kiss.

– Physical Address

– World Created by the writer.

World Created by: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Golden Compass and etc…

What is a location?

– A physical Place.

– The place in your story where events occur and characters interact.

~ Planet of the Apes

~ Witness

~ Billy Elliot

Location

When you think of a location, you must think of:

– Rules

– Address

– *Other Elements that reside within location (Must take note on)

(Think of how is it going to endanger or challenge the character)

– A setting and surrounding that interacts with the characters of the film by adding importance to their action.

[Character must do something that is extraordinary in an ordinary world.]

– An environment which impacts the action and heightens the stakes.

– Location: Jurassic Park is a zoo/amusement park located on an island off the coast of the Central America.

– Interactive Location: The island is completely isolated, and anyone on it will be trapped until assistance from the mainland arrives.

The Godfather part 2

– Written by: Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo

– Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

– USA, 3:20:00

Dynamic Action – Week 11

DYNAMIC ACTION

<<STORY IS ACTION>>

~ Action encompasses any kind of movement, activity and interaction between the characters and also between the characters and their surroundings.

Character
– Environment
– Another Character
– Action

~ Talking about how one feels is not as powerful as illustrating why one feels the way they do through action.

<< FILM IS BEHAVIOR>>

~Action is the manifestation of behaviour.

~The complexity of the human psyche and interaction is better understood when it is possible to watch the actions, nuances and reactions of the characters.

<<DYNAMIC ACTION>>

~ Has the potential to enrich the experience of the audience by heightening the stakes and increasing the tension.

MOVING PICTURES

THE POWER OF ANY STORY LIES IN THE NARRATOR’S ABILITY TO PROJECT A MENTAL PICTURE FOR THE AUDIENCE.

EXERCISE: Translating emotional responses into actions.

2 students are to act cut their emotion set by a simple narrative according to the following:
– The couple has just met. This is their first evening spent together. He is very shy. She desires him.
– The young man has decided to leave his girlfriend.
– The young lady has decided to leave her boyfriend.
– He has another women friend. She is also eating at the restaurant.
– She is pregnant. She can’t bring herself to tell him.

FILMS
Steve Pavolsky’s
INJA (Australia, 2001)
17 Minutes.