1. RESPECT THE CRAFT IMAGINATION (THE HUNCH) DEFINING A SCRIPT NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING DEFINING A SCRIPT ORIGINATION OR ADAPTATION OUTLINE THE K.I.S.S PRINCIPLE REWRITES CHARACTERS CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION Screenwriting and the Creative Process

2. Respect The Craft Respect the craft of screenwriting. This includes mastering format and becoming an excellent storyteller. There is no easy way to success. If you believe that your first script will make your career, you will be humbled when you learn that your craft is bigger than you’ll ever be. (Mark Sanderson)

3. Imagination Part of being a great screenwriter is finding your optimal creative process — the set of rituals that will have your creativity blossom and your life be happy at the same time. Can you imagine that? As you write each screenplay, you can start identifying what works for you and what doesn’t. Many times, just recognizing a negative pattern will change it or recognizing a positive pattern will assist you to make it a habit.

4. No One Knows Anything “No one knows anything.” My god, was William Goldman right. I can’t tell you the number of ideas I’ve been talked out of writing (by agents, managers, and writer friends) only to see a similar — or the exact same idea — sell months later. “You can’t sell a time travel script!!!” That’s a favorite around here in Hollywood. Truth is, there are a ton of time travel scripts in development and yet, every single year, a bunch of them sell. I was told four years ago, “Never write an alien invasion movie.” At last count, I think ten gazillion alien invasion specs have sold since then. (Joe Gazzam)

5. Defining a Script A script, or screenplay, is the document that outlines every aspect of a movie; the locations and settings, the cast of characters and their personalities, and the sounds and words used to tell the story. A script should be able to be expressed in a single, catchy sentence. "Alien," for example, was famously pitched as "Jaws in space." The film director uses his creative skills to realize the story on screen in a unique way. Writers must remember that film is a visual medium, and so the screenplay should provide opportunities to show the audience how the story progresses. The different elements of the screenplay provide opportunities to do this.

6. Origination or Adaptation The creative process begins with consideration of the origin of the story. Self-employed writers create scripts based on an original idea. They will define the overall story, characters, settings and dialogue and pitch this to producers to try to get the film made. Other writers are commissioned to adapt an original story, a literary work such as a novel or play, or an existing film or TV program they wish to update. Commissioned script writers will have less scope for their own creativity to come through as they re-work existing ideas.

7. Outline Don’t be afraid to extensively outline. Get examples of outlines where you can. Outline your favorite movies and favorite screenplays to teach yourself about structure. (Kirsten Smith)

8. K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid) Stick to a clear and singular point-of-view. You want the audience to experience the story AS the main character, not looking at them from a distance. (Erik Bork) “It’s real” or “it’s cool” is not reason to include it. Everything should serve the story and concept. Movies are usually about one clear, simple pursuit – and it’s important to keep things uncluttered, and moving forward. (Erik Bork)

9. Write, Read, Re-Write, Re-Read… Always set your script aside for 2-3 weeks, (longer if possible) then come back and read it one more time before showing it to people. You will be amazed at the number of things you’ll want to change. (Karen McCullah)

10. Video The Creative Process, Ep.6 – The Future Starts Here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IRr-JkIwlc

11. Characters Every story needs to have believable characters, whether they are original creations or based on descriptions from an external source. Successful films help audiences get emotionally involved with the leading players, willing them on to succeed. Good screenwriters portray their main characters in a believable way, giving them personality, credibility and their own history. This involves imagining what they might have been doing a few years before the story begins, where they lived and how they dress.

12. Character Development Show, Don’t Tell In non-dialogue sequences or films, characters become alive and understandable to us through their actions and gestures. For this exercise, you will compose character sketches that will be based on the direct physical presence of actors essential for silent films. Next, you will write short, simple scenes that explore physical interactions of each character with their world.

13. Video Commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGb8pMIeY6w

14. Commercial Analysis What things had to be provided to make this commercial? What location was used? Was this a multicamera or single camera shoot? Were there any shots done from several different angles?  Used later for editing

15. Commercial Analysis How many actors were needed? How many crew members were needed? What equipment was needed? What type of audio was used? (dialogue sound effects) What materials and supplies do you think might have been needed on set?

16. Character Development Writing Assignment: Character Development PART ONE: Character Sketches Create three (3) characters Describe the following: (Face, Body and Waking Up) Face How would you describe the eyes? Are there any typical movements or attributes of the character’s face? How is their head usually held?

17. Character Development PART ONE: Character Sketches Create three (3) characters Describe the following: (Face, Body and Waking Up) Body How does the character’s body move? Is there a particular walk? Typical gestures? Shoulders, elbows, knees and feet are all sources of expressive movement and distillation of character.

18. Character Development Writing Assignment: Character Development PART ONE: Character Sketches Create three (3) characters Describe the following: (Face, Body and Waking Up) Waking Up Imagine your characters getting up in the morning. Write brief (4 – 6 sentences) paragraphs about each of the character’s first actions of the day. The paragraphs must each begin with the character’s name and use the verb “wants” in the first or second sentence.

19. Character Development Writing Assignment: Character Development PART ONE: Character Sketches Having problems getting started? Go people watching! Watch your friends, your family and / or strangers and take notes about their face and body. You can make-up their “waking-up” if necessary

20. Assignment Submission Writing Assignment: Character Development PART ONE: Character Sketches When finished, copy your work into a Juno doc and submit it through the assignment dropbox in Jupiter Grades.

21. Conflict and Resolution Conflict, conflict, conflict between characters. Although we try to avoid it in life, it’s essential to embrace it in screenplays. (Kirsten Smith)

22. Conflict and Resolution At the heart of almost every story ever told is conflict often written up in a classic three-act format; crisis, climax and resolution. This may be based on pitching good against evil, such as in Harry Potter or James Bond, or it may be an emotional conflict such as in "Romeo and Juliet." A skilled writer will use her creativity to explore and challenge the conflict, using the main characters to continually move the story forward to a dramatic climax and subsequent conclusion. The creative process ends with defining how the conflict in the story is resolved.

23. Character Development Writing Assignment: Character Development PART TWO: Solo Scenes In part one of this assignment, you created character sketches for three characters, identifying their face, body and waking up characteristics. Now you are going to write a “solo scene” for each one of your characters. The character must be alone or in a situation in which there is no interaction with any other character. Use this writing to explore details of the character and establish physical interactions with the world that surround the character.

24. Character Development Writing Assignment: Character Development PART TWO: Solo Scenes Place Where do you see your character all alone? If one place is quickly obvious to you, write a short description of that place. If not, brainstorm a list of possibilities, writing down any places in which you can imagine this character. Then, select one of the spots and write a brief description of that place.

25. Character Development Writing Assignment: Character Development PART TWO: Solo Scenes Action Describe at least one action that the character can perform. These can be everyday tasks, chores, or activities. Note the details of any action. Scene Write a solo scene for the character. Make all descriptions physical – avoid any writing about thoughts of the character. Only write what you can see!

26. Assignment Submission Writing Assignment: Character Development PART TWO: Solo Scenes When finished, copy your work into a Juno doc and submit it through the assignment dropbox in Jupiter Grades.