Screenwriting Basics Writing your Story & Formatting

Basic Screenplay Writing Before you write a screenplay you must write a story. Basic 3 Act Structure. All movies have a 3 Act Structure. Let’s let Darious remind us about the 3 Act Structure.

3 Act Story Structure

Secret Life of Walter Mitty When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, Walter takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined.

Secret Life of Walter Mitty Now with a partner decide where the following are? Where was Inciting Incident? Act 1 Break? Midpoint Twist Act 2 Break? Conclusion

Short Film Now you are going to write a treatment form for a 3-5 minute short film. Story can be any genre of film. (Drama, Comedy, Action) Must write a story based on the prompt: Tomorrow is a New Day Dollar for your thoughts? Dude, Where’s my backpack? You must use the title of the story in your film.

Basic Screenplay Writing After writing a treatment form you are going to write a script as a group. All scripts are formatted the same. Use a Screenplay writing software program. www.celtx.com is free - do not pay for the extras - you will not need it. If you want what professionals use: Movie Magic Screenwriter Final Draft

Title Page Font- 12 pt Courier ALWAYS 12 pt. Courier Title is in all caps in the middle of the page. Then you write by: your name Bottom of the contact info - agent or your information.

First Page Start with Fade In: Scene Heading: EXT - outside INT - inside Action: Narrative description of opening event. Transition: Film editing instruction. DISSOLVE TO: QUICK CUT CUT TO SMASH CUT FADE TO

First Page (cont) Character’s First Appearance: First time we meet character name is all in CAPPED. Character Dialogue: Character name is always above their dialogue in all capital letters. Dialogue: Is lined up in the middle. Subheader: When in same location.

First Page (cont) (Parenthetical) - used for action or attitude direction for character. Extension - A note placed after character’s name to indicate voice will be heard off screen. (OS) Mores and Continued - Use more and continued between pages to indicate character is still speaking.

First Page (cont) Page number - Located 0.5” from the top, flush right. Intercut - Instruction for a series of quick cuts between two scenes locations.

On Phone & Intercut Write up the first scene Then cut to the next location Still write INT for interior and EXT exterior. If on the phone write (on phone)

Voice Over (VO) & Off Screen

Character Introductions Always capitalize first time you introduce character. Give a brief description if it is important to your story.

Montage

Flashbacks

Let’s Practice Read outloud script Life of Pi Casting call Older Pi Younger Pi Writer Bully #1, Bully #2 Then we will review what it looks like on screen. What images do you remember from opening scene in Life of Pi

Let’s Practice Writing Log in to www.celtx.com Let’s practice together. Let’s write a sequence together.

Individual Assignment 50 points Type up your idea for a 2-4 minute short film. (Treatment form.) Make sure to include the inciting incident, Plot Pt. #1, Midpoint Twist, Plot Pt. #2 and resolution. Optional Script - complete a script for your idea. Upload to the google classrom - DUE: May 11th or 12th.

Group Assignment Write up a treatment form for your idea. Write up a 3 act Structure worksheet of your idea. Type up a script. Write out a complete storyboard of your story. After pre-production approved you may film. 2-4 minute short film DUE - May 18th.