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  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  5nLQCmW8 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.