Development:
Script Writing
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Famous Screenwriters
In order from top left to bottom right:
Tracey Deer - www.imdb.com/name/nm3208753/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
John Ridley - www.imdb.com/name/nm0725983/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Claire Prieto - www.nfb.ca/directors/claire-prieto/
M. Night Shyamalan - www.imdb.com/name/nm0796117/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Nora Ephron - www.imdb.com/name/nm0001188/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Spike Lee - www.imdb.com/name/nm0000490/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
John Hughes - www.imdb.com/name/nm0000455/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Aaron Sorkin - www.imdb.com/name/nm0815070/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Charlie Chaplin - www.imdb.com/name/nm0000122/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
In order from top left to bottom right:
Tracey Deer - www.imdb.com/name/nm3208753/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
John Ridley - www.imdb.com/name/nm0725983/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Claire Prieto - www.nfb.ca/directors/claire-prieto/
M. Night Shyamalan - www.imdb.com/name/nm0796117/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Nora Ephron - www.imdb.com/name/nm0001188/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Spike Lee - www.imdb.com/name/nm0000490/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
John Hughes - www.imdb.com/name/nm0000455/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Aaron Sorkin - www.imdb.com/name/nm0815070/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Charlie Chaplin - www.imdb.com/name/nm0000122/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
LESSON: "The Story Idea"
The absolutely hardest part of being a filmmaker is telling a story that others want to watch. Where do great ideas come from? How can you begin the process of telling a great story through film?
In this class you will write the script for a short film (approx. 4 pages.)
So what will your short film be about? Where can you draw inspiration from for your film story? Who will be the characters in your film? Why will others be interested in watching your film if it were made.
How To Brainstorm Ideas For A Short Film
Source: D4Darious
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Video Highlights:
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LESSON: Story Development and Script Writing
D4Darious: FANTASTIC RESOURCE FOR SCREENWRITING FUNDAMENTALS
3 Act Structure - Story Structure Tips - Screenwriting
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What Makes A Good Story?
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How To Write A Screenplay - Do you need Structure?
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How To Find A Theme
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ACTIVITY: Brainstorming & Development
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1. Watch the video below by Jack Grapes titled "The Audience Will Forget Your Plot But Not Your Characters." 2. Using a Google Doc, brainstorm several ideas for each of the following as a first step to developing your independent short film script:
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LESSONS & ACTIVITIES: Script Writing Fundamentals
Key Concepts covered:
- Loglines
- Story Outline
- Developing Characters
- Script Outline (Beat Sheet)
- First Draft
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Logline Highlights: Needs to outline all of your story components:
ACTIVITY: Loglines
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Story Outline Highlights: This is where you need to orient your story by answering the following:
ACTIVITY: Story Outline:
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Developing Characters Highlights:
ACTIVITY: Developing Characters
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Script Outline (Beat Sheet) Highlights:
ACTIVITY: Script Outline (Beat Sheet)
First Draft Highlights:
ACTIVITY: First Draft
Script Breakdown Highlights
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LESSON: How to format a Screenplay
Reminder: 1 page of script is equal to approximately 1 minute on screen in the final film
Scenes: How to determine what makes a scene in a film
- Although, most of the time a scene is determined by a location change (as learned in script writing), there are many instances where multiple scenes can occur in one location.
- Every scene requires a beginning, middle and an end which includes a conflict.
- Click on the link below a more in depth overview as to how multiple scenes can play out in the same location.
- https://www.lightsfilmschool.com/blog/screenwriting-what-is-a-scene
How to format a Flashback scene
(Source: https://www.scriptmag.com/features/craft-features/ask-the-expert-all-about-flashbacks)
To set up the flashback scene your slug line/scene heading must be structure this way:
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS – DAY (FLASHBACK)
To conclude the flashback scene and return to present day your slug line/scene heading must be structure this way:
INT. HOSPITAL – DAY (BACK TO PRESENT DAY)
How to format Voice over in a screenplay/script
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS – DAY (FLASHBACK)
John is runny furiously along the train tracks in hopes to get to the next station in time to meet his friend.
JOHN (V.O.)
What the heck am I thinking?! Why would
Pat even wait for me after what I've done.
Dark clouds start rolling in and a heavy rain starts to fall. Not a soul is in sight.
JOHN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
You've got to be kidding! Karma,
as they say.
The Internet Movie Script Database (IMSDB)
Use the link below to search for a few film scripts to assist you with your script writing ideas.
www.imsdb.com/ - The largest resource for online film scripts
Script to Screen Examples
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Script/Screenplay Example
Including: Formatting Screenplay/Script Title Page
ASSIGNMENT: The Script
- This is an independent and creative writing assignment
- You will write an original 3-4 minute short film screenplay that directly follows your pitch
- Your script must include a conversation between two characters only in one location that will be filmed using the master scene technique (we will learn this later - basically back to back to over-the-shoulder shots)
- You must create an original screenplay title (this can be the working title or it can be modified now that you are further developing the idea)
- You must follow the screenplay format using Fade In taught in class and incorporate all four elements (so be sure to reference the lesson and resources on your teacher’s website)
Submission Requirements:
- Your screenplay with cover page will be submitted by digital copy to Google Classroom
- Fade In file "Computer #_Student Name_Film Title"
- PDF file "Computer #_Student Name_Film Title.pdf"
Fade In Software
The following software, Fade In is an industry tool that formats and organizes your film script and some other development and pre-production stage planning.
You will need to download one of the copies of Fade In to your computer. Here the links for downloading both Mac OSX and Windows versions: www.fadeinpro.com/page.pl?content=download
The following software, Fade In is an industry tool that formats and organizes your film script and some other development and pre-production stage planning.
You will need to download one of the copies of Fade In to your computer. Here the links for downloading both Mac OSX and Windows versions: www.fadeinpro.com/page.pl?content=download
Fade-In Tutorials: Screenwriting Guide Parts 1&2 (by Moviola)
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ASSIGNMENT: The Script Rubric