Component 3 Coursework

Some guidance on screenplay writing from the BBC and the exam board

Writing the Evaluative Analysis (1600-1800words)

A sample structure for the Evaluative Analysis is outlined below.

Short Introduction:

Include a brief synopsis/outline of your film idea

What did you want to create in terms of style, genre and narrative?

PART 1: Narrative Structure of the short film

This section should feature an analysis of all the short films you have studied from the list of set texts and how these informed your own production. Please note you do not have to talk about all the films researched equally but you must talk about 80 minutes worth of set short films.

You may want to consider some of the following questions in your analysis:

• What film (from the ones you have researched) had the biggest impact on you?

• What elements of film form that had the biggest impact in terms of meaning and response?

How was the narrative structured? Did this influence your response?

• What differences exist between the story (sequence of events/plot) and the narrative (the techniques used to tell the story)?

• What character types (i.e. hero/villain/protagonist/antagonist) are created?

• Does the narrative create any binary oppositions of interest?

• Who are the audience encouraged to identify with/dislike etc and how is this achieved

• Does the text follow the equilibrium/disruption or re-equilibrium plot points?

• Is the narrative open/closed? What is the impact of this?

• Does the film follow a formula common for the genre or does it attempt to subvert narrative formulas? What does this do to the audiences expectations

• Is the narrative linear or non-linear/multi-strand? How many different strands to the narrative are there and what is the impact of this?

• Does the narrative set up any enigma codes within the narrative structure? What is the impact of this on the viewer?

PART 2: Cinematic influences

This section should consider how the key elements of other films (in addition to those from the list) have influenced your production. You may use stills from the films to illustrate your points.

PART 3: Creating meaning and effect

This section is an evaluative analysis and should consider how your production creates meaning and response for the spectator in relation to other professional products, including one of the short films studied.

• How does your product CREATE MEANING for AUDIENCES? (Pick out key creative moments)

EXAMPLE: “I chose to use contrapuntal sound, a diegetic low sinister buzzing juxtaposed against the image of a sun saturated landscape using high key natural lighting. This suggests a façade of happiness exists but intrigues the viewer into thinking that something much darker may be about to happen. This technique has been used in films that have influenced me such as American Beauty and Kill Bill, where all is not what it seems, through the depiction of ‘white picket fence America’ as a contrapuntal setting to disturbing actions.

• What devices used, have worked well and why (Think in terms of the key elements of film form you have used for the sequence i.e. Close Up/Dissolve Technique/A certain costume choice).

EXAMPLE: “I feel the ‘Wash Out’ editing technique used during the chase sequence worked well to give the audience a sense of relief after the initial fast jump cuts which were used to put them on edge, conforming to audience expectations of narrative for the genre”

• What devices did not work well? Suggest improvements

EXAMPLE: “The long shot which I decided to use for the opening sequence did not have as much visual impact as I intended. An extreme close up may have been a better choice as I would have been able to create a greater sense of tension and claustrophobia”

• The same formula of drawing upon influences to analysis creative decisions should be applied to screenwriting:

EXAMPLE: "It was my intention that the way I introduced Jill to the narrative would create a sympathetic connection with the audience as I used the codes of a typical 'everywoman' by describing her as a 'hen-pecked single mother of two who, in her spare time, lived on a diet of boxsets and loosely based Bridget Jones fantasies'. This takes influence from the screenplay of La La Land in which Damien Chazelle's introduction to Mia garners instant audience empathy in his description: ' Mia, 27. Six years of 'no' in L.A. have toughened her, but she's still a dreamer. Fast, fiery, full of energy.'

Examples of photostoryboards

Exemplary evaluative analyses. Use these to help you structure your drafts, as well as to provide guidance on narrative theory and analytical detail.