MachinEVO Week 2 Script Writing, Story Boarding, and Site Selection Issues

Filming and editing become much easier since less takes and cuts are needed. Scriptwriting Benefits

Finding an appropriate set/sim, costumes, and props is easier. Scriptwriting Benefits

Step 1: Prewriting—Brainstorming your goal and how to achieve that goal. Scriptwriting Steps

* Illustrate: A grammar point—past tense, conditionals... A language function—expressing anger, ordering from a menu... Vocabulary terms—body parts, idioms,... * Tell a story for students to understand or draw conclusions from. * Record students acting out a script. * Having students use English in an intense way while creating videos on a topic you or they choose. Example Goals

Step 2: Creating an outline—the major actions that need to be covered in the different scenes of the script. Scriptwriting Steps

Step 3: Pitch—especially useful for your students to do since it requires them to present their ideas to the class. Scriptwriting Steps

Step 4: The script—the setting and dialog for your scenes. Scriptwriting Steps

Step 5: The storyboard—simple drawings that illustrate camera angles and essential costumes and props. Scriptwriting Steps

Story Generators: Roleplay Scenarios Useful Scriptwriting Tools

Story Generators: Story Dice Useful Scriptwriting Tools

Story Generators: Opening Lines Useful Scriptwriting Tools

Screenwriting Software: Useful Screenwriting Tools

Screenwriting YouTube Video: Scriptwriting by AFI ScreenNation =PLna7STDz_DyLBdlzcNWhChpCBZ5QVSG6uhttp:// =PLna7STDz_DyLBdlzcNWhChpCBZ5QVSG6u Useful Screenwriting Tools

Basic Scriptwriting Conventions Interior/Exterior -- Location -- Time of day Description of where characters are and what they are doing Identify speaker Speaker’s lines Other film-making notes Useful Screenwriting Tools

INT. – BEDROOM – AFTERNOON Jenner leans on the wall next to the bed. James is in bed; his mother stands over him. She smiles a slight smile. MOTHER Doctor Jenner, could you please come here for a moment. DISSOLVE TO JAMES’ FACE. JENNER (V.O.) Just a second. FADE OUT. Useful Screenwriting Tools Basic Scriptwriting Conventions

Useful Screenwriting Tools Basic Scriptwriting Conventions = 1 minute of screen time

Storyboarding helps you: 1. Discover problems before you start filming 2. Make sure everyone is on the same page about what needs to be done 3. Analyze what shots and angles you want (wide establishing shots, close-ups, cutaways, etc.) 4. Think about the purpose, props, dialogue, and action you need in each shot 5. Make it evident when you are repeating ideas already covered by previous action or dialogue. Story Boarding: Why Bother?

Storyboarding Examples Use a simple form.

Storyboarding Examples Draw right on your script.

Storyboarding Examples Use comic software, like Comic Life, to make your storyboard.

Storyboarding Examples If you absolutely don’t want to draw, at least use a detailed Excel sheet.

Tips in “Cinematic Storytelling” document Storyboarding Aids

Storyboarding by AFI ScreenNation PLna7STDz_DyLBdlzcNWhChpCBZ5QVSG6u PLna7STDz_DyLBdlzcNWhChpCBZ5QVSG6u Zero Budget Storyboarding PLna7STDz_DyLBdlzcNWhChpCBZ5QVSG6u Storyboarding Tutorial Lna7STDz_DyLBdlzcNWhChpCBZ5QVSG6u Alfred Hitchcock On Mastering Cinematic Tension =PLna7STDz_DyLBdlzcNWhChpCBZ5QVSG6u Storyboarding Aids You Tube Videos

Storyboarding Aids You Tube Videos detail types of shots and much more.

A rule-of-thirds shot

Partial list of factors: 1. Is it necessary to get permission to film? 2. Is the sim voice-enabled? 3. Are there useful or annoying background sounds? 4. Are there avatars on the sim that might be useful as extras or problematic? 5. Is it possible to shoot several different type of scenes on the same sim? Site Selection Criteria

Ancient Rome, King Arthur’s court, the Wild West, Parisian catacombs, Berlin in the 1920’s, modern New York, outer space colonies, underwater cities, etc. Visit SL Destinations to choose the best place for your machinima: -US -US Site Resources: Historic or Culturally Rich Sims

A holodeck stores Second Life scenes and lets you load them from a menu whenever you want. Scenes can include any prim object, including furniture, pose balls, and particle generators. The following links give more information on holodecks: holodeck.html holodeck.html lodeck lodeck Site Resources: EduNation Holodecks

Sample--easy to alter or build from scratch Site Resources: Simple Cube Sets

Machinima Open Stage Project Blog: MOSP Welcome Area: Sound Stage 1: Sound Stage 2: Sound Stage 3: Sound Stage 4: Peaceful Valley: New Orleans: Gypsy Camp: Night Beach: Corporate Office: Beach Walk: Streets and Subway: Stone Ruins: Park: Shadow Lands: Machinima Open Studio Project

1. Form film-making groups. 2. Prepare scripts/story boards. 3. Take photos of your sets/sims and costumes. Suggested Work to Complete Before Next Week:

PowerPoint illustrating SL basics: Additional Resources

PDFs on SL Basics: SL Basics.pdf SL Basics Part 2.pdf Additional Resources