and
Do screenings and readings from Campus Online.
Screenings:
Bottle Rocket (Wes Anderson, 1994)
Readings:
Lady Bird (Greta Gerwig, 2017)
GDrive > Project > Notes > Notes doc
Class Discussion and Analysis
Write your observations, thoughts, and analysis from the discussion.
PROJECT 2 - BRIEF / KICKOFF
Screenplay writing software.
Weekly version iteration process.
Required because...
A functional script allows a typical development schedule respecting the needs of artists and stakeholders, such as your lecturer and class colleagues, who will collaborate with you on the work, even during rough early development. Weak formatting may cause delays, difficulties, or interruptions for you and others. For classes and group work to run on time with your participation, please kindly provide a functional script, ready for sharing, on time.
Follow your reference scripts and project exemplars for writing style, language, and format.
Use correct software with industry-standard default settings, including the space between paragraphs and dialogue margins.
A script is formed of beats of action and dialogue inside scenes.
Line spacing is needed for action rewrites during rehearsals.
Dialogue margins are essential for speed reading and markup for staging, subtext, and rewrites during rehearsals.
Action paragraphs should be no longer than 3 or 4 lines, with space between. Schedules are tight, so a line limit is needed for chunks of action to be quickly identified.
Action needs sufficient detail to do, yet should be delivered in easily processed chunks.
Actors write markup on the script, creating beats of intention and subtext; they need room to do this. Please don't crowd them with dense lines.
Scripts should be printed one-sided so that staging and blocking diagrams can be drawn during rehearsals on the opposite blank page.
A script page should be 200 to 300 words. Cinematic storytelling isn't Dostoevsky. It's lean. The industry prefers elegant, easy-to-read scripts.
Formatting affects page count and therefore screen duration. So script formatting is needed to evidence the script is within page count limits.
The work should be functional for fair use of shared team time and client time. The outside-class workload hours you've committed to are enough time to prepare, so please use time management.
Work with your script in rehearsal as an actor, just as you must put yourself in your character's skin to make the writing true. Imagine yourself in an actor's shoes, in the intense, time-sensitive conditions of workshops, rehearsals, and performance. This will help you see why a standard format is needed for sharing and group work and why we ask for this format to be ready on time, as in industry conditions, otherwise we may not be able to work with it.
In industry-standard format, as per references.
Created only in supported scriptwriting software, using the QuillBot browser extension grammar corrector and additional English software as needed before sharing, demonstrating that you are doing this in your normal day-to-day writing routine, as you would when working in industry. Yes, even for rough versions.
6-8 pages long for live action or 1-3 pages long for animation, about 200-300 words/page, or it will be cut. The cutting is best done by you. Please learn to relish your time limits and word counts.
Written for a single or very limited number of characters and locations, and with limited complexity, to be a low-budget student short film, achievable under local conditions and consistent with the evidence of your low-budget student film references.
See this site > RESOURCES for references.
See this Project Brief for Exemplars.
Otherwise, your script may not be accepted for class group work, and you may be asked to fix it before we can give you detailed feedback.
One page of script equals ROUGHLY 1 minute of screen time for live action.
Only write your BEST material. Ditch the rest.
You can only be ACCURATE by rehearsing the camera, action and dialogue, in natural time, with a timer or video camera, then rewriting.
Follow this in-class demo, guided by your lecturer.
Open a WriterDuet free account.
Start a Project. Name it after your story.
You'll use the 'Default Document' to write in. This can be renamed 'Script.'
CHOOSE ONE of the TASKS below to begin scriptwriting.
Write one interesting, short scene from your story in script format.
Write this Diner Scene from Heat (1995) (screened above in the class slides) in script format.
You can select one part of the scene. Use the character names from the class slides. The scene video is linked above and also in the slides. You can also look up the character names easily.
WriterDuet YES, this is the default accepted software.
Final Draft (yes, this is acceptable if you have the budget)
Celtx, Word, GDocs, YouMeScript, or anything else... NO.
If you missed the in-class demo, please find WriterDuet tutorials online, using your outside-class workload hours, to provide functional scripts ready for feedback and group work on time.
As in the demo.
Expand for detail >
Whatever scene you're writing, follow script references carefully.
Start by setting the scene. Once you're typing, it'll be the
SCENE Line Type:
EXT. LOCATION NAME - DAY
Interior or Exterior
Location Name - be specific and give it a name
Time of Day
Check the 'Scene' Line Type (paragraph style) in the Line Types Widget is colored. If needed, change the line type.
Hit Enter; make sure the next Line Type is
ACTION:
Describe the scene's look, its sound/feel, the main elements in the scene, and the staging (arrangement) of elements.
ACTION:
Describe the action of the character(s) or other elements in the scene.
What are they doing? In what specific way?
Ignite the imagination through the senses.
Be specific.
Be interesting.
Describe each element/character and action sequentially, exactly, and one at a time.
Describe only what is visible and audible (AV) inside the film. You may use environment, body language, voice, props, costumes, graphics, audio effects, or voiceover to reveal character and story, nothing else.
Avoid exposition and backstory, unless you write a clear shot-by-shot montage or use voiceover narration (follow references for these). Avoid over-dependence on such devices. Use AV inside real-time scenes as much as possible.
Are any characters using voice? If so, you need to Tab in, and make sure the next Line Type is
CHARACTER:
write the
CHARACTER NAME
hit Enter, and the next Line Type is
DIALOGUE: or optionally
PARENTHETICAL:
hit the Tab key on a blank dialogue line or use (
optional but very useful direction, like
(angrily), (fiercely)
(passionately),
(persuasively), (smoothly),
(chuckling),
(anxiously), (teeth rattling),
(babbling)
Given at the start of an emotional beat or transition.
Recommended to give actors a useful starting point for performance and to supply sufficiently interesting dialogue. Is rarely overused ~more typically underused by students.
Then hit Enter, and the next Line Type is
DIALOGUE:
Verbal spoken dialogue, yeah!
Nonverbal voice too, such as
[SCREAM], [moan], [GASP].
Use short sentences normally for natural timing.
Use pauses for characters to think and react.
Use emphasis words to give actors a useful starting point for planning an emotive performance delivery.
You may use square brackets for nonverbal voice.
Students are often shy or inexperienced and may be too hesitant to offer useful acting risks, sticking instead to writing bland performances or empty characters, thinking this is safe. Well, yawn. It's even more risky to be too safe, causing the work to be dull, tedious, and lacking in drama or performance detail. This is undesirable if you want empathic connection. Allow the dialogue to feel rich and alive with variations of tone during moments of passion. If you, an actor or director, change it later, that's normal, but at least you offered something -hopefully interesting -to start with.
Hit Enter, and the next Line Type is usually
ACTION:
Enjoy and keep going!
Follow script references carefully.
Looking for an introduction video? You can try this one.
NAME 1 short paragraph, main character: (age, gender), appearance/physicality, occupation, and personality or attitude. Quick start: copy and paste the essentials from your pitch bio.
NAME 1 short paragraph, supporting char. with dialogue: similar detail as main characters.
NAME 1 line, minor char: (age, gender), appearance/physicality, attitude.
NAME 1 line, audio char: (age, gender), voice style, e.g., NARRATOR (V.O.)
NAME 1 line, each group of background extras or crowds: (age ranges, genders), **NUMBER REQUIRED**, appearance types, and attitudes. NAME each group.
A CHARACTERS LIST
Must be COMPLETE, or you may be asked to fix it for detailed feedback/group work.
Is required for readings or rehearsals; please PRINT it with Title Page and Script.
Is written on Page 2 of the Title Page document.
Is also provided in the template script file in GDrive; see IMPORT.
Is required to measure Project Scope. So please DO NOT SKIP any CHARACTERS or EXTRAS, thank you. Inspect the script thoroughly, and NAME them all, including groups for scenes. Count the number of all background characters/extras. Yes, COUNT 'EM ALL, even in rough versions, thank you! Your outside-class hours are plenty to evidence project scope and provide such routine information for a Producer. Please use good client service skills and be on time.
How to create a CHARACTERS LIST as a separate document or as Page 2 of the Title Page document.
Final Draft:
Try: go to the Title page; at the bottom, hit Enter until you get another Title Page #2, then type the CHARACTER LIST as 'Text' style.
If the 'Title Page 2' method doesn't work, you can go to the top of Page 1 of your script, hit 'Enter' on your keyboard until you get an extra page, and then type or paste your CHARACTERS list as 'Text' style on the new Page 1.
Quick start:
Copy and paste the essentials from your Project 1 Character Bios.
You're expected to grammar-correct all rough work BEFORE SHARING, so our SHARED TIME runs on schedule, thank you.
Popular English is a basic part of the writer's craft and is expected in the industry. So, please show the deliberate practice of making the writing functional for SHARED TIME in your normal day-to-day routine before sharing, thank you. Yes, even in the rough stages. Otherwise the script may not be ready for in-class group work and may need to be fixed with English tools in your weekly outside-class hours before we can give it detailed feedback. Thank you.
Supported methods are:
Web writing, e.g., WriterDuet users: Install the free QuillBot browser extension, and turn it on while you write. This is required, as it's the lowest quality acceptable for feedback, sharing, or group work. Please accept most of QuillBot's English corrections; you may ignore things like short dashes in "STREET - DAY," and can turn off premium recommendations. Easy.
More options: QuillBot how-to video or paste-and-edit.
Final Draft users:
Tools > Spelling only. FD supports Grammarly integration, so if you can afford FD, great; you also need Grammarly software or use QuillBot's paste-and-edit.
If we're busy decoding basic grammar, we're not busy developing higher human creativity.
Correct grammar every time for all work, before sharing.
When writing popular English, you're expected to use a thesaurus and look up synonyms to help you avoid bland words and dull repetition of expressions. EXPAND your vocabulary and use colourful words or phrases in popular English with emotive variation so audiences don't get bored, and so you won't get bored either. For example, use "tragic" or "devastating" instead of just "bad."
Expansion of vocabulary to a range that's wide enough for popular English writing isn't some kind of 'option'; it's a standard part of the writer's craft, which you've chosen to learn. So fly, Tinkerbell.
One Stop For Writers provides 130+ emotions with ways to express them using physical body language, expressions, and acting behavior.
Identification of emotions in popular English is also a basic life and communication skill, so please develop it.
Use an EMOTION THESAURUS
Let's imagine you're struggling with present tense, you're working with a paying client, and you have a deadline. You'd search online for free tools and simply convert your text to simple present tense, right? Easy. So, please treat us the same way, show deliberate practice, and make the writing functional for SHARED TIME in your normal day-to-day routine before sharing, thank you. Yes, even in the rough stages. Otherwise the script may not be ready for in-class group work and may need to be fixed with English tools in your weekly outside-class hours before we can give it detailed feedback. Thanks!
SCRIPT ACTION
is always happening
It's normal for students to follow and learn from creative works as influences, not simply work straight out of their heads, or only from scholarly sources.
So, it's research time! Please find and select appropriate creative works you want to use for influence or as a guide.
GDrive > Project > Documentation
Go to the end section, Research Notes, and record your Creative Works references, e.g.,
Title (Author, Year), and the qualities of interest, e.g., scope, genre, style, etc.
Cite the work at least to the abbreviated in-line APA-7 standard. You may change references later or add full citations over the course of the Project. If you've already cited similar works or influences in the pitch docs (Project 1), you may copy them.
Even if the influence is very loose, capture at least one or two. See below.
This is more than the basic scholarly reference requirement and is well-regarded. Please cite at least one.
Low-budget student short film or script, cited for Project Scope:
Used to compare budget, duration, complexity, and number of characters and locations, substantiating your script's viability as a low-budget short film and SAE student film. You may use any low-budget student short film, such as --the Student Exemplars in this Detail Brief, --this site > Short Film Gallery Examples, or --search under this site > RESOURCES. An SAE example might be more relevant for local conditions.
Budget note: student films don't qualify for funding programs or investment, as a general rule. However, they may do their own fundraising campaigns and may enter certain awards competitions and festivals.
This is more than the basic scholarly reference requirement and is well-regarded. Please cite at least one. Recognized, awarded masterworks are reliable; niche or cult films should have a substantial audience.
Film reference --a well-regarded film or student exemplar
Used to study the work's creative qualities such as story, genre, style, theme, characters, staging, action, audiovisuals, or screen language.
Communicates cultural context by relating the script to recognisable works for pitch marketing. May already be cited in your Pitch Deck.
Screenplay reference --a well-regarded screenplay or student exemplar
Used to study the work's creative qualities, as above, and...
Used as a writing style guide appropriate for the project: high-concept, accessible, and entertaining, not just for the story premise, but also for scenes, action, acting, body language, and dialogue. Shows the use of proven writing to develop writing that works similarly. Quotes may be used.
Independent shorts have higher budgets than student films and may have received funding, so they might not fit a student budget reference, and you have to examine them. However, they might be good references for screen duration, character focus, interesting story elements, themes, or approaches.
(detailed feedback comments and suggested edits)
Export/Save and share only this file type :
WriterDuet users:
File > Export > File Type >
Final Draft
Include all lines and all docs.
Yes, WriterDuet handles FinalDraft filetype best!
FinalDraft users:
It's the main hero file saved while you work.
Name
MyStoryName v# .fdx
VERSION NUMBER v#
Always write a v# in your filename when exporting. You can use any number; just increase it each and every time you work on your script.
Storage: HARD DRIVE.
Note the folder location.
Share via your GDrive Project folder
If using GDrive web: locate the file, and upload it. If using GDrive Desktop: confirm the file in the right folder.
This process is also used to make a regular historical backup file.
WriterDuet claims to keep all previous version history under Revisions, also offering Snapshots and Split Pane version comparisons. However, revisions may be difficult to track when using a free account.
So, regular historical backup files are advised.
(detailed feedback comments and suggested edits)
Go to your GDrive Project folder.
Download your latest
MyStoryName v# notes.fdx file
with collaboration comments and suggested edits
to a folder on your computer.
WriterDuet users:
- Start in your current Script
- File > Import... > Your Computer
- Navigate to (Downloaded file)
- Double-click or Open
- Replace Document: Replace Document
'New Project' for special circumstances.
Carefully examine your comments and suggested edits. There may not be time for your comments to be ranked in order of importance, so you have to figure that out, e.g., by yourself, by asking questions, by negotiating a better idea, or by comparing two versions.
Before you incorporate any comments or suggested edits into a new version and start writing again, ensure you have your Quillbot/grammar extension turned on, as always please.
This process can also be used to restore a script from a historical backup file.
WriterDuet claims to keep all previous version history under Revisions, also offering Snapshots and Split Pane version comparisons. However, revisions may be difficult to track when using a free account.
So, you're advised to export your old script version to a backup file before importing a new version.
...for collaboration, editing or editable backups? Nooooo, USELESS.
...for printing? Yes, needed!
...for reading or submissions/grading on Campus Online? Yes, needed!
For Printing for readings/rehearsals, Week 8 onwards:
File > Export > File Type > PDF
All docs, all lines.
Name
MyStoryName v# .pdf
Storage: HARD DRIVE, e.g., thumb drive or print destination.
SUBMISSION PDFs: For Fine Delivery:
File > Export > File Type > PDF
All docs, all lines.
Name
MyStoryName v# Interim.pdf (Rough version)
MyStoryName v# Fine.pdf (Fine version)
Storage: HARD DRIVE. Note the folder location.
Upload them to your Shared GDrive.
Paste the GDrive links into your Project Documentation PDF submitted to Campus Online.
Ensure editable backups are auto-exported every time you work.
WriterDuet users:
File > Set External Backups >
Save Frequency >
Daily or
When I Press Save.
File Type >
Final Draft (.fdx)
Final Draft users: Turn on auto-backup, or make a copy of your main hero file as you work.
All your work for this class must be saved inside this location as files in our Shared Google Drive folder. College projects are shared projects, so you're expected to engage in continuous teamwork, working frequently and sharing your files every time.
You are strongly encouraged to learn and use Google Drive Desktop App every time you create, first, and do not work in any other location, so there is no uploading. You can download backups to your personal devices later.
Your working files must be editable and created only in the supported software for this class.
Do not delete any old versions of files. Simply move them to a +backup folder as evidence of change history.
on GDrive
Your working project files. These should be
the editable source files.
the published works for submission: PDFs and exported video.
in the approximately chronological order of the Project schedule, with the main files easily found in the main folder.
Project folder main files
+backup version history
Notes supplementary docs
Write STORYNAME v1 during Week 7.
Use your Treatment with prior feedback as the main source.
Scene by Scene, either:
In order of importance, the most critical scenes first, then smaller scenes, recommended for speed.
Or
In order of time, from the opening scene forward to the end, recommended for clarity.
As you feel is easiest and quickest.
Writing quickly is best for the first pass on your rough script, then go over it again, and again more carefully, to prepare it for group work and detailed feedback.
Time all scenes, 1 page per minute, 200 to 300 words per page.
Rehearse in natural time with a timer or video.
Work in frequent sessions with appropriate breaks, and amuse yourself in a playful way; not only will there be a much better chance it'll be good, you'll also enjoy it more!
Bring forth the scene
and the players,
their emotive wants and needs,
their physicality and voice,
in a dream of passion and delight,
let it become.
Save a file on your shared GDrive with a new v# every time you make changes. Increase the v# number for each draft, or every week.
v1 (Version 1) is due by the end of Week 7 in outside-class time - use Calendar.
There is no class during Week 7, but your workload hours are the same.
Time management skills practice is strongly urged, to be on time for your WEEK 8 deadline.
Please smash out a functional rough draft to work with now, quickly, when creativity is more flexible, so you can use class time scheduled for table read videos, maximizing your group feedback and number of weekly revisions. Avoid cramming the read videos late in the trimester in outside-class time, sloppy and half-baked, with insufficient time for client and group feedback, support, or approval. Show deliberate practice of employable skills of fair use of client time and group work time, writing scripts quickly that are usable, on time for your client and group work schedule. Show that you can work unsupervised.
If your script is on GDrive you may also receive feedback in outside-class time. This will likely help to ensure your script is acceptable for filmed readings.
Version 1 and Draft 1 means exactly the same thing; it's not a big mystery.
Your script must be 6-8 pages long for live action or 1-3 pages long for animation, in standard industry format as instructed above on this page, no more complex than a low-budget student film, and proofread, or it will be cut.
Prepare for WEEK 8 - FILMED TABLE READS v1 group work.
A Script v1 rough is needed to prepare for group work. Writing quickly is best for the first pass on your version 1 rough work, then go over it again and again more carefully.
Please book ahead for the filming equipment you need and be responsible for your own project.
See WEEK 8 - Pre-Class Tasks - preparation instructions for filmed table reads.
Low Budget (a few K) and achievable as a student film, with limited characters, locations, and complexity, achievable under local conditions, and consistent with the evidence of your low-budget student film references. See this site > RESOURCES for low-budget student short film references, and follow them.
High Concept (look it up). This applies to the story's premise. It also indicates an accessible writing style in popular English for broad audiences. Search this site for the well-regarded Exemplars we've provided of good student and professional screenwriting, and follow them.
6-8 minutes screen duration for live action, 1-2 minutes screen duration for animation.
The limits on screen duration are strict. It's better to be slightly under than over.
How do you time your story? Like this:
Quick Rough Timing methods:
(a) To start with, write and rehearse a 1-paragraph Synopsis: Spoken Story (with ending) that is simple enough to be spoken in the time limit. Ditch the rest of it.
(b) Use Story Beat counts (9-15,) and Treatment word count (1000.) Ditch the rest of it.
(c) Use the Project 2 Script page count (6-8,) and word count (200-300 per page,) as in Project 2 DETAILS. Ditch the rest of it.
Accurate Timing method: Perform each scene yourself, with a video camera. Rewrite as many times as needed. Yes, it's normal. Use only the best material suitable for performance. Ditch the rest of it.
Otherwise, your story may not be accepted for class group work, and you may be asked to fix it before we can give you detailed feedback.
Based on lecturer feedback, peer feedback, notes from group work, and research analysis of your references, improve your script. Please do this on time, acting on feedback in the week you receive it, to practice industry-style development.
If you can't figure out how to improve and iterate new versions, maybe you're missing something. Consider if you need to arrange more scarce feedback time with your facilitator, study better writing and acting references more deeply, feel out the character's heart, intent, or action, write better pauses and timing, use better and clearer descriptions of music, mood, and sound effects, or carefully follow reference scenes, modifying them as needed, which is the recommended practice for most students.
Change the version/draft number when you save and export a new file in the required script file type.
My Story Name v#
Expand for detail >
Record your feedback notes in your Project documentation. Clarify as best you can the difference between strong direction that is vital to your work's viability, vs suggestions and offerings to be interpreted flexibly into your vision. This skill is vital for collaborative practise and getting your work approved by stakeholders such as employers, supervisors, directors, producers, investors or funding bodies. Implement your feedback, and create improved versions, ready for review, every week.
Collect additional feedback detail notes via email, Slack, meetings, voice or video calls. Ensure you have both qualified feedback (lecturer/supervisor/client) and peer feedback from your class colleagues.
Expand for detail >
Rehearse and revise your writing, so that it flows smoothly as spoken text. Rehearse to prepare for spoken workshops and readings. Rehearse all writing with a timer to ensure you are within your screen duration limit.
Speak and edit your Spoken 1-2-minute Pitch Synopsis, and rewrite it to be spoken. Rehearse it so that each new delivery will be stronger, more entertaining, and convincing. Investigate video/audio reference of verbal storytelling and pitching - listen to the style and rhythm of speech, the emphasis words, the acting of the speaker, and mimic the presentation style. Only when your content is verbally powerful, emotive and concise can we be sure that you will fit your story into your screen duration. Only when this is good can we consider extending the time restriction for spoken pitches, if the content and pacing of your spoken delivery genuinely justifies more time. If you waffle around and speak flatly, there is less interest in further listening, and less evidence you are putting emotive timing into your screen duration limit. Give life to your words. There will be 1-3 rounds of verbal pitching per project.
You also do script readings (table reads), in groups. Speaking your work ensures that it flows smoothly and naturally. You must provide entertaining narrative through character performance, with the fewest words. While it isn't a public speaking or an acting unit, you do need to develop sufficient performance skill for your story to be expressible, on time, using confident delivery. This is a necessary part of collaborative creativity, and for seeking funding or greenlights. You will go through this practise again and again in your career. So please get used to it. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!
Rewrite all your work over and over while rehearsing, watching and listening to yourself and to A/V reference, until the writing is well spoken.
People with soft voices, that's okay too, we will adjust for you and move closer together, because we don't have time in class to work on acting skills. However, if you want to improve your delivery, you should! Visit a big empty park or wide open space and practise shouting your pitch across the field. Just like you're a player in a soccer game, shouting to other players. Or a confident kindergarten teacher rounding up a gang of unruly 5-year-olds. By imagining or remembering such a routine situation in which you would assert yourself, you can confidently assert your characters and story. It may feel unfamiliar or too loud, but it simply works.
Watch
Joe Ranft storyboard Pitch for Toy Story soldier scene, 42 seconds. Listen to the voice energy - it's an acted performance, and it sells the scene.
Expand for detail >
Complete all your writing and documentation tasks, as required. Ensure you collect only the finest reference - very highly-regarded or award-winning works - for your characters, story, genre and style, put these into your Reference Doc, and study them, thoroughly.
Make sure your key reference for both film and writing closely matches your screen duration and budget. Stay within your scope.
Please mimic an awarded/accomplished screenwriter's writing style, carefully. Do not attempt to simply work out of your head, just "loosely following reference". This is not good enough, because there are insufficient hours in-or-outside classtime for me to correct your work line by line. You're a student, not a master, so be humble, and mimic a master's writing style until you're a pro. That's what students do. This means your work is already based in proven practise, accumulated wisdom and screen language, and is more highly defensible against critique in creative or academic disputes. While it's okay to begin rough first drafts quickly, you must always work closely from reference as a student. Please do not work entirely out of your head, especially when your workload requires you to learn by doing, with excellent guidance, for 8 hours of outside class time for every 2 hours inside class.
Expand for detail >
You are expected to learn by doing, with excellent guidance, for 8 hours of outside class time for every 2 hours inside class.
You are expected to evidence your workload hours, and your use of Time Management, using Calendar or similar time-based tools.
Work your entire workload, including reading and performing great pitches and scripts, watching and listening to reference, rehearsing and revising; do not shift any more than a few hours into different weeks - and maintain a weekly routine of 8 hours by developing scheduling skills.
Add up your hours as you work, to be on time for your mid-project weekly deadlines - 3 to 5 rounds of feedback-and-change cycles per project.
Please reduce the traffic jam of in-class feedback time, by using your outside class workload time completely, so we are on time.
You are expected to show weekly progress, with file-based evidence, demonstrating workload, collaboration skills and directability. Do not skip your rhythm, then deliver half-baked work at the end of the Project - this would be much less likely to achieve a Pass.