intro to film: screenwriting

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Week 4 Story / Narrative / Screenwriting

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Page 1: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

Week 4Story / Narrative / Screenwriting

Page 2: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

The Role of the Screenwriter• The screenwriter produces a script

for a film• Screenplays are usually bought by

the production for a lump sum – the screenwriter doesn’t receive any money on the back end

• The screenplay contains dialogue between the characters as well as descriptions of scenes and action

• They set the mood for each of the scenes

• Specific shots and camera movements are usually not included within a screenplay – it is the director’s job to give a visual interpretation of the script

Page 3: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

How is Screenwriting different than other forms of writing?

• Playwriting• Hard to draw specific attention to action and certain

objects on stage• Lots of dialogue because all internal thoughts and

exposition (back story) have to be vocalized• Less flexibility when it comes to shifts in Time/Space

• Novels• Typically has the most freedom to express the inner

thoughts of characters• Less ability to be explicit with visual images (you must rely

upon the ability of the reader to interpret the images) • Screenplays

• Ability to point out specific actions that are happening• Ability to shift Time / Space easily• Most able to give audiences access to specific visual images

(with less ambiguity in the interpretation of the images)

Page 4: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

What’s the difference between

Story and Plot?

Page 5: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

Story vs. Plot

• Story• The raw information about an event put into chronological

sequence• “The boy went to the park. While he was at the park he went on the

swing. Afterwards he went home”• Plot

• A storyteller’s method of imposing a structure on top of the story (what motivates the characters, etc.)• “The boy was afraid of the swing set at the park. He decided to

overcome his fear by going one day. He went, rode the swing, and decided that it wasn’t so bad. He went home feeling better about himself”

• Plots make the story more interesting by placing them in a structure that is familiar to us

Page 6: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

Characters and Conflict• Plots typically have two main characters: A protagonist and and antagonist

• Protagonist– Traditionally the good guy, although they are not good all of the time– Defined as the most volitional character; The protagonists actions are those which move the plot

forward– They have a goal or purpose in the story– We are able to empathize with them; movie watchers are often turned off when they don’t like the

main character• Antagonist

– Person or force who is working against the protagonist in reaching their goal• Who are the protagonists and antagonists in the following films?

– The Lord of the Rings– Star Wars: Episode IV– Napoleon Dynamite

• Conflict can come in many forms• Character vs. Character• Character vs. Society• Character vs. Nature• Character vs. Fate• Character vs. Self

Page 7: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

Components of a Classical Narrative• Exposition

• The back story for any plot• Contains information about the characters as well as the world in which the characters reside

• Inciting Incident• An incident which forces the main character to leave the world that they currently reside in and embark on a

journey (physically or metaphorically) to resolve their conflict• Sometimes we are brought into the story after the inciting incident – this is referred to as “in Media Res”

• An example of this can be shown in the television show “Lost” – we are brought to them on the island after the inciting incident, the plane crash, has already taken place. The exposition is what unfolds during the course of the story.

• Rising Action• This is the meat of the story; A series of smaller conflicts which lead up to the main confrontation between the

protagonist and antagonist• A good way to think of this is by envisioning Super Mario Bros. Each level is a smaller conflict which ultimately

prepares Mario to face the bigger conflict.• Climax

• The final confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist• Falling Action

• The action that takes place after the climax• Denouement

• The resolution of the story; the protagonists resides in the new world created by their actions• It is possible to have multiple plots running at the same time

• There is often a romantic sub-plot; it still has a narrative structure, but it is a different conflict than the main conflict

Page 8: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

Classical Narrative Structure

Exposition

Inciting Incident

Rising A

ction

Climax

Dénouement

Falling action

Page 9: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

The Hero’s Journey• Joseph Campbell, an anthropologists, was interested in how archetypes had changed the ways that

we tell stories.• He derived what is known as the Hero’s Journey, which is an ancient structure with these steps (From

Russin and Downs, 2000)1. The Ordinary World – a myth begins with the hero in his own element2. The Call to Adventure – A problem or challenge is presented that will unsettle the ordinary world of the protagonist3. The Reluctant Hero – The hero balks at the edge of adventure. He faces his fears concerning the unknown4. The Wise Old Man – The hero acquires a mentor, who helps the hero make the right decision, but the here must undertake

the quest alone5. Into the Special World – The Hero makes the decision to undertake the adventure and leaves his own familiar world behind,

to enter a special world of problems and challenges6. Test, Allies & Enemies – The hero confronts allies of his opponent, as well as his own weaknesses, and takes action while

dealing with the consequences of hi action7. The Inmost Cave – The hero enters the place of the greatest danger, the world of the antagonist8. The Supreme Ordeal – The dark moment occurs. The hero must face a crucial failure, an apparent defeat, out of which he

will achieve the wisdom or ability to succeed in the end9. Seizing the Sword – The hero gains power. With his new knowledge or greater capability, he can now defeat the hostile

forces of the antagonist.10. The Road Back – The hero returns to ordinary world. There are still dangers and problems as the antagonist or his allies

pursue the hero and try to prevent his escape11. Resurrection – The hero is spiritually or literally reborn and purified by his ordeal as he approaches the threshold of the

ordinary world12. Return with the Elixir – The hero returns to the ordinary world with the treasure that will heal his world and restore the

balance which was lost

Page 10: Intro to Film: Screenwriting

Methods of StructuringLike directorial style, plots can be shaped in a realistic, classical, or formal style

• Realistic • The hand of the storyteller is less visible• Elements which do not specifically help move the story along, are included for the sake of realism

• Classical• Typically events play out in chronological order• Everyday actions which do not move the story forward are edited out “Doesn’t Jack Bauer have to go to the

bathroom?”• Attempt for the story to play out as naturally as possible for the viewer (they don’t feel jarred)

• Formalism• Time is often rearranged to suit the way that the writer/director wants to tell the story (ex. Annie Hall – Woody Allen

jumps back and forth in time to bring forth specific themes)• Breaks in continuity and narrative can be jarring to the audience

Alternative Structures• Mosaic

• Doesn’t follow one main character, but a bunch of characters dealing with similar issues (i.e. Magnolia); often the characters are brought together by some kind of event

• Often have several portraits of a person’s life but without a structured narrative (32 Short Films About Glenn Gould)• Non-Linear Narratives – Still has a narrative structure but material isn’t presented chronologically

• Memento• Pulp Fiction