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Lecture 10:Lecture 10:The Art of Constructive FeedbackThe Art of Constructive Feedback
Professor Daniel Cutrara
Breakfast Club (1949)
Written by John Hughes
Previous LessonPrevious Lesson
• Designing Progressions
• Assignments
This LessonThis Lesson
• Constructive Feedback
• A checklist to review the script
• Assignments
Juno (1992)Written by Diablo Cody
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The Art of Constructive FeedbackThe Art of Constructive Feedback
Lesson 10: Part I
Adam’s Rib (1949)
Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin (Screenplay)
Guidelines for Peer ReviewGuidelines for Peer Review• Keep in mind the following as you review
your peer script.– Be respectful in your feedback.– Focus on key problems, leave spell check to
your peers.– Provide constructive criticism, but don’t
“rewrite” the script.– Keep in mind the goal is to help each other
become better writers.
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The FormatThe Format• Begin your written comments focusing on
the strength of the script. • Once you have established the elements
that are working and/or show promise turn to areas that you think should be addressed in a rewrite.
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The Check ListsThe Check Lists
Lesson 10: Part II
Mean Girls (1949) Rosalind Wiseman (Book)
Tina Fey (Screenplay)
Check Lists for the ScriptCheck Lists for the Script
• The following check lists for your script are adapted from Asher Garfinkel’s book Screenplay Story Analysis: The Art and Business. You should find them a helpful guide as you read over your peer’s script.
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Concept and the FeelConcept and the Feel
• What is the overall feel of the read? Did you finish the script with a sense of- I want to read more?
• Does the concept have potential?
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PlotPlot• As you review the plot ask yourself the
following questions.– What is the conflict about? What major
complications arise? – Do(es) the protagonist(s) have a major goal?
Does the goal change over time? – Are there any major twists or reversals?– Does the world of the story have coherent
rules?– Is there an urgency to the storyline?– Are there any plot holes?
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Plot - 2Plot - 2• Subplots
– Is the main storyline complicated by subplots? – Do the subplots help the plot to develop
character and or theme? – Are the subplots structured?
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StructureStructure• As you review the structure ask yourself
the following questions.– Does it follow a Three Act Structure? If not,
does the alternative structure work?– Does act one set up the problem and introduce
the characters sufficiently?– Is there an inciting incident, does it happen in a
timely manner?– Does act two build appropriately? Does it have
a midpoint? Does it end on a major reversal?
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CharacterCharacter• As you review the character development
ask yourself the following questions.– Is the protagonist sympathetic or otherwise
engaging?– Are the protagonist’s wants and needs clearly
defined?– What is at stake for the protagonist if he/she
doesn’t achieve his/her goals?
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Character - 2Character - 2
– Do the characters experience a wide range of emotions?
– Is the protagonist active or passive?– Is the story motivated by the protagonist’s
needs?– Are the characters well rounded or do
they feel one-dimensional?
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DialogueDialogue• As you review the dialogue ask yourself the
following questions.– Does it sound natural given the characters and
world of the story? – Does it help define the personality of the
characters?– Does the dialogue work for the screen? E.g.
stage plays have much more latitude on the length of speeches and stylized nature of the speech.
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Final ConcernsFinal Concerns• As you review the script ask yourself the
following questions.– Is the tone consistent? – Does it feel like there will be a worthwhile
payoff?– Is the Point of View consistent and/or working
for the story?– Does the action description guide the reader’s
imagination as opposed to telling the director how to do his/her job.
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AssignmentsAssignments
Lesson 10: Part III
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1976)Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman (Screenplay)
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Peer ReviewPeer Review
• You must post 90 pages or more of your screenplay to the e-board so that your assigned peer can review it.
• The Review should be approximately 2-3 pages single-spaced, following the guidelines of this lecture.
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E-Board PostE-Board Post• Post any questions that you have
concerning the review process that you think your peers might also want to know the answers to.
End of Lecture 10End of Lecture 10
Next Lecture:
Problems and Solutions
Juno (1992)Written by Diablo Cody