1. Writing and Scheduling
Chapter 2
Writing and Scheduling

2. Successful video/film productions need
A well written script
Lots of planning
Preproduction planning impacts production & post
Don’t let your eagerness to shoot take away from planning
Planning is the last time your production
Is truly under your control
Once shooting starts….

3. Screenwriting
Movie adaptations are often different than their source books
Why is this?

4. The main reasons for the difference
Writing a book & Creating a film
Are very different art forms
Screenwriting is a very particular type of writing
Writing for the eyes (visual)
As opposed to the mind

5. Finding a story Before you can begin developing a story
You need to decide what it is about.
There are several ways to find ideas
Brainstorming
Observations
Inspirations
Experiences
Once you have an idea
develop a structure for it

6. Structure Structure can turn a series of events
Into a story
Understanding the basic structure
Beginning
Middle
Ending
This is often referred to as the three-act structure
Can be applied to any type of production
Will help with writing shooting and editing of your film

7. Three Act structure Act I – The beginning Act 2 – The middle
Main character is introduced, along with the nemesis and supporting cast
Act 2 – The middle
Main characters problem gets complicated
Subplots are introduced and resolved
Middle of this act is middle of the movie
The climax usually occurs here
Bulk of the movie

8. Three Act structure Act 3 – The ending Unlike a stage play
The main characters problem is solved
Unlike a stage play
The acts may blend together in film
Audience may not see clear separation between them

9. Writing visually Movies are made up of pictures
Dialogue, talking, music and more
May exist in the production
But first and foremost
Movies are a VISUAL form of storytelling

10. 5 Minutes

11. We will have a few people share what they have written

12. Formatting your script
Movie screenplay format is very specific
Designed and refined to convey
More than dialogue and scene descriptions
Regardless of production type
Good formatting will make your production easier.
Screenplay format (Pg 19)
Advantages
Helps determine length & pace of script
One minute of screen time per page (variations occur)

13. Writing for unscripted
Unscripted projects
Documentaries, Reality TV, News
Still require SOME writing
Two approaches to documentaries
Inductive
Shoot the subject first then edit footage into final film
Deductive (Outlining)
Write out a script, then get footage to match it

14. Scheduling Once script is workable what do you do? Plan your shoots
What resources do you have (or need)
What items do you need for each scene
How many pages will you shoot each day
How much time do you have
What is your budget
Do you need to hire a crew
What about the weather?
There are many variables that can affect your schedule

15. 4 minutes

16. Let’s hear some of the details and descriptions

17. Breaking down a script Going through the script to determine needs
This may result in shooting out of order
If there are complex scenes that require a crew
They will likely be shot in succession even if they are not in order in the film
Easy scenes can be shot first or last

18. Choosing a shooting order
Once you have a schedule & script breakdown
You will be ready to layout your shooting order
You may consider location now
Scenes at the house
Scenes outside
Scenes at the workplace
If you can shoot all the scenes
from one location at the same time
You won’t have to go back

19. How much in a day This will vary depending on your budget.
With a big budget you can do less in a single day
Won’t be rushed
Can wait out bad weather
Multiple takes for perfection
If you have a small budget
You might have to get it in like the postman
Rented equipment
Friends helping during time off
etc

20. Scheduling for unscripted
If you are following a subject (documentary)
Your scheduling may change throughout
If you are shooting an event
Your scheduling will take place during the event timeframe
Other scheduling includes
Interviews
Supporting footage etc.

21. Breaking into Hollywood as a scriptwriter is tough.
Thousands of scripts are sent each year, some don't get read, most get rejected and a few make it.

22. What a good script needs
A main character who is driven towards achieving a goal
An opposition to your main character who will hold your main character back from achieving their goal
(The Bad Guy)
A fight (literal or metaphorical) between your main character and their opposition
An ending which answers the questions "Can the main character achieve his goal?”

23. If your script can present such a story
Along with a well thought out main character who the audience can relate to
You will all ready have the jump on most scriptwriters.

24. 2 Minutes

25. Switch with a classmate
You will switch with a classmate and add more details to what they have written
Make sure you read what they have written to avoid being repetitive

26. 3 Minutes

27. Switch back
Let’s have a few people share what they and a classmate have written for this one

28. Last One - 3 Minutes

29. The only way to get better at anything is to practice.
There are a few more writing exercises that can really get your creative juices flowing
They are designed to help you with character building, story structure and writing action sequences.

30. People You Know
This exercise will help your understanding in creating realistic characters.
Even seemingly dull people can be interesting or funny when placed in certain situations.

31. Write a list of ten people you know.
Pick a broad spectrum of people from your family, friends, work place and neighbors…
you don’t necessarily have to like the people you pick!
For each person on your list write out a single paragraph character description.
Come up with one characteristic for each person that makes them unique.
Somewhere within the list, you might just find a gem of a character to write about!

32. It’s Not Paranoia If They’re Really After You!
This exercise helps learn how to empathize with characters and feel what they’re going through.
This will allow you to write your characters with a lot of emotional depth.
If the danger doesn’t feel real to the character then it won’t seem real to the audience.

33. Write out a chase scene where you are the only one being chased.
They’re after you! You don’t know why, but you’re being chased down relentlessly.
Write out a chase scene where you are the only one being chased.
Imagine the panic and fear you’d be feeling as well as the confusion.
Really get into the frame of mind of someone being chased, and fearful for their life.
To make it even more interesting write out three different scenes, each with a different method of travel.
On foot.
In a car.
In a helicopter, being chased by a UFO!

34. Script Exercise
Write a one-minute film with one location, no dialogue, and no more than three characters.
Sound effects may be used, but the story must be told through visuals and action.
Ensure that your story is self-contained (avoid writing a scene) and that it has a theme. In other words, your story should mean something outside of itself—it should have a point.
The length of your script should not exceed two pages in proper screenwriting format.