Stories, Plots, Narrative  You have an idea for a film that you want to write.  Remember that films are ‘Show Don’t Tell’  Remember to concentrate on the visuals which will tell your story  Importantly as well, is that ‘Dialogue’ has to be character specific, that is the character speaking is convincing in what they are saying.

Screenwriting: The Basics  You must layout your script in the correct industry standard format layout and Courier 12pt typeface  Use screenwriting software to format your scripts that way you can concentrate on the story you wish to tell.  free screenwriting software  Others are Final Draft and Screenwriter

Screenwriting: The Basics In correct screenplay layout one page is one minute on the screen, this is a good rule to work by. Your first draft will generally be 30% too long Revise your script constantly and cut, cut, cut as you refine and improve and sharpen Movies are good at telling stories but not good at telling very complicated stories

Screenwriting: The Basics  Remember:  What if? A good way to start generating stories.  Use a variety of sources from pictures to books to articles to things you see and hear as a starting point.  Kiss: ‘Keep it Simple Stupid’

Screenwriting  The majority of movies and particularly those coming out of the USA follow that is called:  The Classic Hollywood Narrative …or…  the Three Act Structure  The Discontinuous Narrative: is another way of telling your script and can be defined as….  ….every story has a Beginning a Middle and an End….….but not necessarily in that order.

The Three Act Structure  The Screenplay is divided into three parts :  Act 1 : The Set-up (of location and characters) (the first 1/4)  Act 2 : The Confrontation (with obstacles) (the middle 1/2)  Act 3: The Climax and Resolution (the last 1/4)

We can be Heroes  Protagonist: The good guys or girls  Antagonist: The bad guys or girls  Note: Antagonists do not have to be people……  who can they be? Examples?  Scripts are about ‘Confrontations’ and overcoming them

The Three Act Structure  We will use as our example a 2 hr film which equates to 120 pages of correctly laid out screenplay.  1 page of Screenplay = 1 minute of screen time  Total running time 120 minutes/120 pages of script  Screenplays are constructed/hinged around two Act Breaks or commonly referred to as ‘Turning Points’.

Turning Points  Movies following the Classic Hollywood Narrative method of construction are written around/constructed around these two Turning Points:  ‘Turning Point One’ at the end of Act 1 or approximately 30 minutes into your screenplay  ‘Turning Point Two’ at the end of act Two or approximately 90 minutes into your screenplay  (approximately = within a page or two)

The Three Act Structure

Turning Point 1  The Turning Points are Plot Devices, incidents that allow/propel your story forward….cause and effect.  Act 1: The set-Up: introduces our characters and story plots, (and with its own 3 acts structure) it takes us to…..  Turning Point One: a point where we have had a mini-story that ends, but then leads us into a new story, this will be the main direction the rest of the story follows.  Essentially the moment the hero takes on the main quest/problem/confrontations.

Turning Point 2  Turning Point 2: The most important part/event of a three act structure narrative.  Turning Point Two: is generally at the point where your main Character/Protagonist is furthest from achieving their goal, then they see a way out/way forward to the climax/conclusion of your story.

3 Act Structure  To clarify the breakdown of a Three Act Structure screenplay of two hours / 120 pages:  Act 1 = 30 pages  Act 2 = 60 pages(starts at or around page 30/30 mins)  Act 3 = 30 pages(starts at or around page 90/90 mins)

Act 1  Act 1 is also called the Set-Up  You introduce all you main characters  All your story threads, plots, sub-plots etc  It is also a self contained story of its own (with its own 3 act structure!)

Act 2  The main story  The bit you really want to write with your characters developing and changing as they progress through your story.  Conflicts and confrontations in our hero’s way and stopping them achieving their goal.

Act 3  The Resolution  You finish your story  Tie up all loose ends  Characters will have undergone a life- changing journey over the 120 minutes: ‘The Character Arc’

What makes a great Movie?  Conflict  Characters  Situations  Locations  Convincing Protagonist  Convincing Antagonist  Great Dialogue!

How Long?  It doesn’t matter if your script is 3 or 120 pages  The Three Act Structure can be adapted/modified to any length  But it is not the only way of telling your story  Movies that do not follow this structure……?  Write the script/movie the way you want to and you feel is best, the rules are there to help not dictate…