1. Chapter 7: From Page to Screen

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Objectives
Create an original short narrative screenplay in standard format.
Investigate traditions and methods of storytelling through motion pictures.
Evaluate narrative structure and character development in a variety of movies.
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3. Early Storytelling Techniques
Short narratives
Adaptation from literary sources
Brief stories developed
& dictated by writer/director
Copying other movies
Storytelling based on plays, short stories, & novels
Development of industrial model
Writing teams
Control of stories by studio unit
Courtesy Photofest
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Characters
Objectives
What are the goals of characters?
Actions: what does the character do to fulfill goals?
Conflict
In what ways do character objectives come into conflict?
How do conflicts prevent characters from achieving goals?
Protagonist and Antagonist
Active and passive
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Basic Elements
Setting
Locations
How does setting help
to establish story?
Feasibility
Structure
Plot
Story, including background & exposition
Tension and shifts in narrative
Courtesy Adam Keker)
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6. Constructing the Story
Premise
Time
Length allotted to completed movie
Length of actual story: how to address the narrative?
Acts and turning points
Three act: beginning, middle, end
Turning points and four-part structure
Setup; complicating action; development; climax & epilogue
Beats
Finding the appropriate steps in the narrative
What turning points drive the narrative?
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7. Motors of Story for the Screen
Character development
& conflict
Personal narrative
Observational mode
Vision of key story event or moment of conflict
Current events
Community, both local and larger context
Tales or stories that have been read, heard, or seen
Photograph from a series on Palestinian children, Courtesy S. Smith Patrick
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8. Standard Steps in Development
Character background
Research: setting, history, etc.
Scene cards
Step outline
Treatment
Logline
Pitch
Courtesy Carl Casinghino
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Screenplay Format
Teleplay options
Review:
Scene headings
Action
Dialogue
Voice-over or off-screen indications
Parenthetical directions and beat/pause indications
Camera indications when necessary
Transitions: dissolve, fade-in/fade-out, etc.
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10. Other Key Tools and Considerations
Improvisation
Storyboards
Starting points
Opening of movie
Within individual scenes
Exposition
Backstory and the narrative
How do I want to leave my audience?
Courtesy Wanger/UA/Photofest
© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning

11. © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Summary
In this chapter, you have deepened your familiarity with the traditions and challenges of screenwriting.
For screenwriting format, you reviewed key concepts such as scene heading, action, dialogue, parenthetical directions, and other indications.
You examined storytelling concepts such as structure, including acts, turning points, and beats; character development; and conflict.
You also learned about typical writing techniques or steps such as the pitch, scene card, step outline, logline, and treatment.
© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning