1 / 17

Scriptwriting 101

Scriptwriting 101. Presentation to WAZZU Films October 15, 2013 Rebecca Goodrich. Scriptwriting 101. Key aspects of story: Plot Character Setting. Film structure: Three Acts. Act One: Engaging the Audience Setting the scene Getting to know characters Inciting incident that ignites plot

tashya-hudson
Download Presentation

Scriptwriting 101

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Scriptwriting 101 Presentation to WAZZU Films October 15, 2013 Rebecca Goodrich

  2. Scriptwriting 101 • Key aspects of story: • Plot • Character • Setting

  3. Film structure: Three Acts Act One: Engaging the Audience Setting the scene Getting to know characters Inciting incident that ignites plot Act Two: Elaborating and Extending the Engagement Build up of suspense Complicating events Expansion of conflict Act Three: Releasing the Engagement Culminating results of the previous acts

  4. Plot • It is “the structuring of incidents” that enables an audience to appreciate the unfolding story/idea. • The structure through which the writer brings the story’s parts into conversation with each other. • The way scenes are linked to each other to enhance the narrative impact.

  5. Metaphors for story structure • Journey • Connection/Disconnection • All three convey conflict, change over time

  6. Conflict • From Latin: conflictus • 1. competitive or opposing action • 2. mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands • 3. hostile encounter

  7. Classic conflicts • Man vs. Himself • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Nature • Man vs. Technology • Man vs. God

  8. Journey • Where does the protagonist want to go? • What does she/he desire and what direction does that push them in? • What obstacles do they encounter? (discoveries, conflicts) • How are the obstacles overcome? (decisions, helpers) • Is the goal reached? Is it the goal the protagonist sought?

  9. Connection/disconnection • Two fundamental human impulses: • Drawn toward what feels good • Move away from, or repelled by, what feels bad • Our lives are shaped by connecting to people/places/things/ourselves—then disconnecting • Can be self-imposed, or • Result of outside influences • Each “movement” generates energy in the story—pushes it forward

  10. Desire • All characters desire something: moving toward the desire pushes the story forward • Deep desire—abstract love, comfort, power • Physical manifestation—concrete sends roses, cries, takes over a company

  11. Image Clothing Hair Accessories What else?

  12. Voice • How does a character speak? • pitch • pace • inflection • accent • What words do they choose?

  13. Action = discovery and decision • “Any significant discovery forces change in condition, relationships, activity, or all three.” • “The quickest and best way to know someone is to see that person make a significant decision. At the instant that character makes a choice, he changes from one state to another; his significant relationships alter, and usually he must follow a new line of action.”

  14. Thought • In a visual medium we must mostly infer a character’s thoughts. • A character may tell us what they are thinking, but often that’s awkward and obvious. • Show, don’t tell.

  15. Setting The World: Place Time Season Weather Mood and Symbol Creates a state of mind or atmosphere Color Emotional connotation

  16. Resources Celtx Screenwriting blogs Books Read scripts

More Related