Screenplay Notes Script Format Characters CharactersStoryboards

Scriptwriting  Classic style High concept High concept Examples: All of the movies we’ve seen so far Examples: All of the movies we’ve seen so far  Minimalism/Open-Ending Low concept Low concept Examples: American Beauty, Lost in Translation Examples: American Beauty, Lost in Translation  Anti-structure Lack of narrative– mostly visual/aural Lack of narrative– mostly visual/aural Examples: Monty Python Examples: Monty Python

Scriptwriting (cont.)  Melodramas Are about real people in real situations. Are about real people in real situations. Have characters who drive the plot. Have characters who drive the plot. Are psychologically complex. Are psychologically complex.  Hyperdramas Plots are their key element. Plots are their key element. They have a central moral lesson, and your characters are vehicles to that end. They have a central moral lesson, and your characters are vehicles to that end. Often have a fantastic or unreal tone. Often have a fantastic or unreal tone.  Experimental Anything goes Anything goes

Format of Scripts Fictional  All scripts should be written in 12 point Courier font (no exceptions)  Scripts should have 1 inch margins at the sides, top, and bottom of page  Page numbers should be in the top right hand corner  Keep tab settings consistent

Format of Scripts Fictional  Write scene headings INT. HOUSE – DAY INT. HOUSE – DAY EXT. OFFICE – NIGHT EXT. OFFICE – NIGHT Use specific times/places if important to story, otherwise leave them out Use specific times/places if important to story, otherwise leave them out  Capitalize the following… Scene headingsSounds Scene headingsSounds PlacesTransitions PlacesTransitions CharacterNames CharacterNames Significant props Significant props

Format of Scripts Fictional  Write Action heading. Character actions that are critical to the story are put here– not random actions. Character actions that are critical to the story are put here– not random actions.  Again, capitalize the following… Scene headingsSounds Scene headingsSounds PlacesTransitions PlacesTransitions CharacterNames CharacterNames Significant props Significant props

Format of Scripts  Dialogue Write character’s name in CAPS Write character’s name in CAPS Under name is line of dialogue. Under name is line of dialogue. No actions appear here… only dialogue No actions appear here… only dialogue  Example from Jaws  VAUGHN  Is that tooth here? Did anyone see it?  HOOPER  I don't have it.  BRODY  He lost it on the way up.

Script Conventions and Abbreviations  Scene Headings INT vs EXT (interior vs exterior) INT vs EXT (interior vs exterior) Day vs Night Day vs Night  Transitions Cut to, fade in, fade out, dissolve to, fade to black, freeze frame Cut to, fade in, fade out, dissolve to, fade to black, freeze frame  NOTE: leave out camera angles

Script Conventions and Abbreviations (cont.)  Scene Directions VO=voice over VO=voice over o.s.=off screen o.s.=off screen WOS=without sound WOS=without sound POV=point of view POV=point of view f.g.=foreground f.g.=foreground m.g.= mid-ground m.g.= mid-ground b.g.= background b.g.= background

Sample Script-- Psycho INT. HOTEL ROOM – 2:43p Reveal a furnished hotel room. A woman in bra and half-slip lies on the bed, gazing up at a shirtless man. Some FAST FOOD ITEMS are on the table. SAM: You never did eat your lunch, did you. MARION: (sitting up) I better get back to the office. These extended lunch hours give my boss excess acid. SAM: Why don't you call your boss and tell him you're taking the rest of the afternoon off?

Format of Scripts Documentary  Same rules as fictional films EXCEPT: Scripts consist of two columns: Scripts consist of two columns: Video Video How does the camera move How does the camera move Clips from films Clips from films Unique video footage Unique video footage Audio Audio Dialogue Dialogue VO VO Sound Effects Sound Effects Music Music One page of script equals one minute of film One page of script equals one minute of film

Characters  Characters in film should have some similar characteristics (in general) The will or ability to take action (the main character is usually not passive) The will or ability to take action (the main character is usually not passive) Audience needs to feel empathy for character Audience needs to feel empathy for character There should be some event that changes the character There should be some event that changes the character These events should reveal more about the character These events should reveal more about the character How does character react to pressure How does character react to pressure What is the history of the character What is the history of the character What is the character’s motivation What is the character’s motivation

Types of Actors in Film  Type Casting: the process of selecting an actor based on physical look (facial/bodily features) The role may call for a bald man or grandmother-like woman so you hire actors on these traits The role may call for a bald man or grandmother-like woman so you hire actors on these traits  Character Acting: the process of selecting an actor based on the type of character an actor has played previously. Will Farrell, Robin Williams, and Morgan Freeman always play the same type of character Will Farrell, Robin Williams, and Morgan Freeman always play the same type of character

Examples of Characters  Star Wars– Luke Skywalker  Star Wars-- Darth Vader  Castaway  Fargo  Silence of the Lambs  Pirates of the Caribbean

Storyboards  When filmmakers begin to think about shots and scenes, they will often draw sketches of the shots Each shot has its own drawing Each shot has its own drawing Camera angels and movements are shown Camera angels and movements are shown Shrek Storyboards

Examples of Storyboards   The setting of the witch’s castle in the Wizard of Oz. Compare the storyboard with the actual footage The Wizard of Oz

Storyboards from Citizen Kane

Storyboards from The Graduate