Mastering Television Production: Scriptwriting Tips and Techniques

1. TELEVISION PRODUCTION Rajmohan . M Assistant Professor School of Media and Communication Agurchand Manmull Jain College, Chennai. Mail: rajpedagogy@gmail.com

2. Script……………………….. develops from the idea.Storytelling……………… The pov character serves as the ‘story tellerStory Structure………... three act structureTreatment………………… details of directorial styleScreenplay…………….....Blueprint for production Shooting script ………… communicate to all crew members Dialogue………… dialogue is narrative conveyed through speech PRINCIPLES OF SCRIPT WRITING

3. • Incident in the life of somebody we know • True life experience • Heroic life of a historical character • Every story has a beginning, middle and end. • Progression of life events is called a plot • How the main character reacts to the events • A good story has a protagonist who is confronted • The protagonist’s ability is challenged, overcomes the odds and achieves the goal. STORY

4. STORY TELLING • Defining what the story is about, this is called the theme. • The theme is a subtle idea. • The beginning of the story. • Genre of the story- how the audience should feel about the story. It is very crucial for the movie experience. • Creating a point of view of the character within the story • the pov character interacts with the main character throughout the story. •The pov character serves as the ‘story teller

5. 3 ACT STORY SRUCTURE

6. DIALOGUE WRITING Effective dialogues should • Move the story forward.• Reveal the emotions.• Reveal the conflict• Create tension. When writing dialogue remember • Character’s attitude• Perspective on the situation• Thoughts and emotions.

7. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT • Character research – general research & specific research • Character background – ethnicity, social, religion, education, time period, location, occupation • Naming the character- should reflect the qualities of the character. • Protagonist• Antagonist• The character has to be consistent• Character psychology• Do not stereotype characters.

8.  Step one: create a logline & develop your characters Step two: write an outline Step three: write a treatment Step four: write your script Step five: write your script again (for final draft) Basic steps in Script writing

9. CREATIVE WRITING Creative writing is writing that expresses the writer’s thoughts and feelings in an imaginative, often unique, and poetic way.

10. 1. Single column for radio2.Single column for television3. Two column for television4. Screenplay format SCRIPT FORMATS

11. SINGLE COLUMN SCRIPT • All video and audio information is usuallyconfined in a single main column. Beforeeach scene, an explanatory introductiondescribes the location and the action. • This type of script is widely used fornarrative film-style production andsingle-camera video, where the directorworks alongside the camera operator.

12. TWO COLUMN SCRIPT • Helpful means of organizing shots and video • ALL VIDEO information goes in the left column • ALL AUDIO information goes in the right column • It gives all members of the production crew shot by-shot details of what is going on

13. SCREENPLAY FORMATTING The Master Scene Format has six main elements: Scene Heading Action Character Name Parentheticals Dialogue Transitions

14. A breakdown is a complete list of the required talent that is distributed to all of the local talent agencies. Once a talent agent has selected a performer for a role it is customary to send a performer portfolio. A portfolio can contain a resume of prior work, photographs or even reels or video tapes of past performances. An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performing artist Casting panels are often comprised of a casting director, producer, director and/or choreographer. SELECTION OF CAST

15. COSTUMES & MAKE UP • Communicate the personality of the character to the audience, • improve or isolate the appearance of the actors. • Costume designers and makeup artists do research, work closely to create a perfect look to the character. • They also work closely with the director and actor. • Lighting, positioning and composing should be considered when designing costumes and makeup

16. OUTDOOR PRODUCTION • Reconnaissance: . The director along with the camera man goes to the particular location foe spot inspection • Traveling expanses : accommodation of the technical staff and the artists • Unforeseen expenditures : the surplus budget for any unexpected expenditure • Programme Budget Proposal (PBP) : Budget proposal for each episode is always sent before any recording • Programme Budget Estimate (PBE) : Preparation of the Programme Budget Estimate is also the duty of a producer as other than the directorial function

17. • Know your script• Scout at the right time• Look at light• Power supplies• Sound check• Permits and clearances• Evaluate the area• Taking notes WHEN SCOUTING FOR LOCATIONS

18. Set designing The director has to sit together with the designer to discuss the set to be erected inthe studio for the recording of any programme. • Properties The items to be used on a set are called propertiesor "props" ion short form, these include, furniture,decoration pieces, room accessories and other domestic items of daily utility. • 3. The staff that matters in production·1. Set designer2. ·Lighting director3. Cameraman4. ·Editor5. ·Director INDOOR PRODUCTION

19. Chroma key effects are often called blue-screen or green-screen effects because the foregroundaction is shot in front of a uniform blue or green background. •  The background is then electronically removed, leaving only the foreground action to be superimposed on the actual background of the final scene, which has been separately prepared. •  Blue and green are the generally-preferred colors for chroma key use because their removal froman image will not affect human skin tones, but in principle any hue can be used with Studioschroma key tool. BLUE MATTE

20. THE END Rajmohan . M Assistant Professor School of Media and Communication Agurchand Manmull Jain College, Chennai. Mail: rajpedagogy@gmail.com