SCREENWRITINGL.O: To understand the basics on writing for the screen and how to get involved in the film industry.

WHAT THE HELL IS SCREENWRITING? Screenwriting is the craft of writing scripts (Screenplays) to be used in film,

T.V programs, comic books and Video Games.

You don’t require education to be a screenwriter – You just need an imagination and a great ability for storytelling!

Screenwriting is a freelance profession - It’s not full time. You start out just writing scripts and pitching your ideas to Producers (Financer/supervisor) until someone buys your script to be made into a film!

Screenplays are what Producers and others in many industries look at and read through when deciding what to spend their money on and what to invest in when making films.

If you’re script gets bought by a producer or production house you will usually maintain creative control of your screenplay. Usually screenwriters are also directors as this can sometimes be the only way to maintain creative control in addition to ensuring your film comes out the way a screenwriter wanted it to.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT In film there is usually a main character that is followed throughout a

narrative called the protagonist.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE 1) Get into groups of 4-5 2) On the blank piece of paper, write down some strengths and

weaknesses of someone you know… 3) Pass the piece of paper to the person on your right. Assign an Age, Race,

Gender and Class to the character you’ve received… 4) Pass the paper to the right again, now write a scenario for this

character… 5) Pass the paper to the right again, now predict what the character you

have will do to the scenario in front of them. Return each piece of paper to the original writer, is what you see correct…?

THE 3 ACT STRUCTURE All screenplays follow a simple yet effective pattern which audiences are

accustomed to, if you don’t follow it, an audience with know! It’s the 3 act structure!

ACT 1 The first 10 minutes of a film are usually spent establishing what

normality for the universe and establish who the protagonist is. Act 1 is designed to setup your film.

At roughly 10 minutes in the Inciting Incident will occur, setting the plot into motion and giving the protagonist a challenge or goal they need to overcome or achieve!

ACT 2 Act 2 is where the protagonist faces challenges in the way of their

objective. They will typically experience their lowest point towards the end of Act 2 in

setup for a payoff in Act 3.

ACT 3 Finally, in Act 3 the forces of the protagonist clash with the forces of the

antagonist and the protagonist's goal is achieved in a resolution, ending with a return to the normality (Equilibrium) at the start.

BASIC FOR WRITING FOR THE SCREEN The font to use for writing screenplays traditionally and professionally is Courier New

Use size 12 font in a addition. When writing, 1 page should translate to 1 minute on screen. An average screenplay is between 90-120 pages. The inciting incident with always happen at 10 minutes into the film.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE FILM INDUSTRY? Get a work experience placement! Apply to being a runner on a film set when you’re old enough! Take GCSEs to suite your interests! Apply to the BFI Eastside Academy (When you’re old enough) Read scripts and write scripts! Meet people!

THANK YOU! Now go write stuff ‘cause it’s fun!