Screenplay

Screenplay The screenwriter composes all of the

dialogue and action of a film They establish the story However, the story or dialogue may be

altered when the film is actually produced

Screenplay 3 ways it’s written

Original Idea An existing source At the request of the E.P.

Conventions No matter the source, the screenplay

needs to conform to certain conventions

Conventions: Feature Length Feature Length 90-120 minutes

Conventions: Narrative Should be a narrative, or tell a story

Conventions: Plot Generally, screenplays must follow

proper plot structure Yes, there are exceptions, but let’s focus

on the norm

Conventions: Plot The essence of plot is conflict!!!

Conflict guides the main action of the story The conflict will take place between the 2 main

characters Antagonist: The Bad Guy Protagonist: The Good Guy

In strong screenplays these are different people, but they can be the same person

The protagonist usually has some sort of inner conflict as well

This is known as a tragic flaw

Conventions: Plot Generally, plot structure takes a common form

Exposition: Getting to know the characters Inciting Incident: First conflict between the

antagonist and the protagonist Rising Action: The majority of the film. Builds to

the climax. Climax: The final confrontation between the

antagonist and the protagonist Falling Action: Tying up loose ends Resolution: Everything is resolved

Conventions: Plot Or, if a picture is easier…

Conventions: Theme Theme: The main idea of the show Often described as the moral or

principle Should be conveyed in the writing, but

also in other aspects of the film Each film is a unique experience and

each theme must be analyzed individually and expressed carefully so that it will stand up against analysis

7 Tools The screenwriter has 7 tools at their

disposal to help write a successful screenplay

7 Tools: Symbolism Symbolism: Indirectly communicates an

idea to the audience Comes in 2 forms:

Pre-Existing Created in the context of the film

7 Tools: Symbolism Pre-Existing: Symbols that have power outside

of the film Can be either Universal or Natural Universal: Symbols that everyone recognizes

and understands Their meaning comes from the power society

places on them

7 Tools: Symbolism Natural Symbols: Their meaning comes

from their power in nature

7 Tools: Symbolism Created in the context of the film

These symbols are given their power by the characters in the film

They can also be dictated through special music or visual cues

7 Tools: Setting Setting: The time and place where the

story takes place Has a direct influence on the characters,

action, and theme of the film Why?

7 Tools: Dialogue Dialogue: What the characters say

Forwards and narrates the film Creates a sense of time and place Exposes the antagonist and protagonist

7 Tools: Characterization Characterization: Who the characters

really are Helps us get emotionally involved Seen through dialogue Reactions of surrounding characters Contrasting character types Withholding and revealing information to

manipulate an audience to a particular point of view

7 Tools: Characterization Name Typing: Giving the character a

name that creates a particular feeling. Gomer Pyle Ashlee Joe

7 Tools: Suspense Suspense: Constructing action in such a

way as to keep the viewer interested Suspense exists in a film to keep you on the

edge of your seat It emotionally manipulates the audience Overt Suspense: Revealing information to

the audience that the character doesn’t know. This helps heighten the suspense and makes

the movie more interesting

7 Tools: Irony Irony: A technique of indicating, as

through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually stated or implied

What does that mean??

7 Tools: Irony When you work really hard for

something and that work causes the opposite to happen

When you finally get over your worst fear only to have it come true

7 Tools: Irony Makes the movie more interesting Makes the movie more realistic Provides new, profound meaning to

everyday situations

7 Tools: Title Title: The name of the movie

The first exposure many people have to the film

The title must be charged with as much meaning, excitement, or mystery as possible

Often the box office success of a film is impacted by the title

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA-5nLQCmW8

7 Tools Each screenwriting technique is an

integral part of a finished screenplay Some of them are more directly

dependent on one another, but all exist in every motion picture

Each has, or should have, an impact on the film.