Screenplay Notes Script Format Characters CharactersStoryboards.

Screenplay NotesScreenplay Notes

Script FormatScript Format

CharactersCharacters

Storyboards Storyboards

ScriptwritingScriptwriting Classic styleClassic style

High conceptHigh concept Examples: All of the movies we’ve seen so farExamples: All of the movies we’ve seen so far

Minimalism/Open-EndingMinimalism/Open-Ending Low conceptLow concept Examples: American Beauty, Lost in Examples: American Beauty, Lost in

TranslationTranslation Anti-structureAnti-structure

Lack of narrative– mostly visual/auralLack of narrative– mostly visual/aural Examples: Monty PythonExamples: Monty Python

Scriptwriting (cont.)Scriptwriting (cont.) MelodramasMelodramas

Are about real people in real situations.Are about real people in real situations. Have characters who drive the plot.Have characters who drive the plot. Are psychologically complex.Are psychologically complex.

HyperdramasHyperdramas Plots are their key element.Plots are their key element. They have a central moral lesson, and your They have a central moral lesson, and your

characters are vehicles to that end.characters are vehicles to that end. Often have a fantastic or unreal tone.Often have a fantastic or unreal tone.

ExperimentalExperimental Anything goesAnything goes

Format of Scripts Format of Scripts FictionalFictional

All scripts should be written in 12 point All scripts should be written in 12 point CourierCourier font (no exceptions) font (no exceptions)

Scripts should have 1 inch margins at the Scripts should have 1 inch margins at the sides, top, and bottom of pagesides, top, and bottom of page

Page numbers should be in the top right Page numbers should be in the top right hand cornerhand corner

Keep tab settings consistentKeep tab settings consistent

Format of ScriptsFormat of ScriptsFictionalFictional

Write scene headingsWrite scene headings INT. HOUSE – DAYINT. HOUSE – DAY EXT. OFFICE – NIGHTEXT. OFFICE – NIGHT Use specific times/places if important to story, Use specific times/places if important to story,

otherwise leave them outotherwise leave them out Capitalize the following…Capitalize the following…

Scene headingsScene headings SoundsSounds PlacesPlaces TransitionsTransitions CharacterCharacter NamesNames Significant propsSignificant props

Format of ScriptsFormat of ScriptsFictionalFictional

Write Action heading.Write Action heading. Character actions that are critical to the story are put Character actions that are critical to the story are put

here– not random actions.here– not random actions. Again, capitalize the following…Again, capitalize the following…

Scene headingsScene headings SoundsSounds PlacesPlaces TransitionsTransitions CharacterCharacter NamesNames Significant propsSignificant props

Format of ScriptsFormat of Scripts DialogueDialogue

Write character’s name in CAPSWrite character’s name in CAPS Under name is line of dialogue.Under name is line of dialogue. No actions appear here… only dialogueNo actions appear here… only dialogue

Example from JawsExample from Jaws

VAUGHN VAUGHN Is that tooth here? Did anyone see it? Is that tooth here? Did anyone see it?

HOOPER HOOPER I don't have it. I don't have it.

BRODY BRODY He lost it on the way up. He lost it on the way up.

Script Conventions and Script Conventions and Abbreviations Abbreviations

Scene HeadingsScene Headings INT vs EXT INT vs EXT (interior vs (interior vs

exterior)exterior) Day vs NightDay vs Night

Transitions Transitions Cut to, fade in, fade out, dissolve to, fade to Cut to, fade in, fade out, dissolve to, fade to

black, freeze frameblack, freeze frame NOTE: leave out camera anglesNOTE: leave out camera angles

Script Conventions and Script Conventions and Abbreviations (cont.)Abbreviations (cont.)

Scene DirectionsScene Directions VOVO == voice overvoice over o.s.o.s. == off screenoff screen WOSWOS == without soundwithout sound POVPOV == point of viewpoint of view f.g.f.g. == foregroundforeground m.g.m.g. = = mid-groundmid-ground b.g.b.g. = = backgroundbackground

Sample Script-- PsychoSample Script-- PsychoINT. HOTEL ROOM – 2:43pINT. HOTEL ROOM – 2:43pReveal a furnished hotel room. A woman in Reveal a furnished hotel room. A woman in bra and half-slip lies on the bed, gazing up bra and half-slip lies on the bed, gazing up at a shirtless man. Some FAST FOOD ITEMS at a shirtless man. Some FAST FOOD ITEMS are on the table.are on the table.

SAM: You never did eat your lunch, did you.

MARION: (sitting up) I better get back to the

office. These extended lunch hours give my boss excess acid.

SAM: Why don't you call your boss and tell him

you're taking the rest of the afternoon off?

Format of Scripts Format of Scripts DocumentaryDocumentary

Same rules as fictional films EXCEPT: Same rules as fictional films EXCEPT: Scripts consist of two columns: Scripts consist of two columns:

• Video Video How does the camera moveHow does the camera move Clips from filmsClips from films Unique video footageUnique video footage

• AudioAudio DialogueDialogue VOVO Sound EffectsSound Effects MusicMusic

One page of script equals one minute of filmOne page of script equals one minute of film

CharactersCharacters

Characters in film should have some similar Characters in film should have some similar characteristics (in general)characteristics (in general) The will or ability to take action (the main character is The will or ability to take action (the main character is

usually not passive)usually not passive) Audience needs to feel empathy for characterAudience needs to feel empathy for character There should be some event that changes the There should be some event that changes the

charactercharacter These events should reveal more about the characterThese events should reveal more about the character How does character react to pressureHow does character react to pressure What is the history of the characterWhat is the history of the character What is the character’s motivationWhat is the character’s motivation

Types of Actors in FilmTypes of Actors in Film

Type Casting: the process of selecting an actor Type Casting: the process of selecting an actor based on physical look (facial/bodily features)based on physical look (facial/bodily features) The role may call for a bald man or grandmother-like The role may call for a bald man or grandmother-like

woman so you hire actors on these traitswoman so you hire actors on these traits

Character Acting: the process of selecting an Character Acting: the process of selecting an actor based on the type of character an actor actor based on the type of character an actor has played previously. has played previously. Will Farrell, Robin Williams, and Morgan Freeman Will Farrell, Robin Williams, and Morgan Freeman

always play the same type of characteralways play the same type of character

Examples of CharactersExamples of Characters

Star Wars– Luke SkywalkerStar Wars– Luke Skywalker Star Wars-- Darth VaderStar Wars-- Darth Vader CastawayCastaway FargoFargo Silence of the LambsSilence of the Lambs Pirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean

StoryboardsStoryboards

When filmmakers begin to think about shots and When filmmakers begin to think about shots and scenes, they will often draw sketches of the scenes, they will often draw sketches of the shotsshots Each shot has its own drawingEach shot has its own drawing Camera angels and movements are shownCamera angels and movements are shown

Shrek Storyboards

Examples of StoryboardsExamples of Storyboards The setting of the witch’s castle in the Wizard of Oz.

Compare the storyboard with the actual footage

The Wizard of Oz

Storyboards from Citizen KaneStoryboards from Citizen Kane

Storyboards from Citizen KaneStoryboards from Citizen Kane

Storyboards from The GraduateStoryboards from The Graduate