''Film:, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay, or flick—is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally accompanied by sound and (less commonly) other sensory stimulations.''
 🔺To identify and integrate features of screen writing and respond to a brief.
To explore ways of Showing Not Telling using film as a medium.Â
To experiment and think about using a different form e.g. scriptwriting.
Explore character’s need: Need = action = plot
Explore how a single image or a series of images can have explicit and implicit meanings to set a Tone.Â
To explore a brief/commission in an original and creative way – risk taking.
Placing visuals in your reader’s head.Â
Other aims of Session
Visual representation of a theme e.g. identity
Groupwork: you can work in twos or threes on producing: an idea, a synopsis, a storyboard and a script.Â
Write a short synopsis, a storyboard and beat sheet before writing the script.Â
BUT – you must produce your own individual script
Show And Not Tell
“…Keep all of the senses in mind when writing a scene. I think sometimes we forget to focus on sound, touch and smell when writing – but all of these are crucial for holding the reader in a moment, for making them believe in what you are trying to tell them.”
     -Emilia Hart
Show and Not Tell Methods
Active and strong verbs to describe the action
Don’t tell us the location show it e.g. how it impacts on characters
'He moved forward against the crowds in St Marco square, the tourist milling about in and out of cafes were hindering his path to her…'
Give detail but not excessive detail (can be just as much an issue as telling).
Examples/scenes/moments that highlight [show] the important character needs/wants emotions and feelings such as anxiety, nervousness…
Describing the reactions of a character to a situation is better than simply naming the emotion or sensation the character is feeling.Â
Showing Answers Questions Subtly
“Grandmother fell over.”
Why is she falling over? Is she ill? Has she been drinking? Why has she been drinking? Does she always do this? Did something happen that caused her to get drunk?
Remember, your reader is working through these kind of questions in their mind. We enjoy being active in making these connections when reading.
Allows readers to experience stories through actions, feelings rather than expositions, summarising and dry description e.g. she was tired
Name the different methods of show and not tell that you use or understand to be techniques.
Use of the senses – this can place the reader in the environment - it is as if the writer is there
Techniques:
Avoid summary narrative.
Appeal to the senses with evocative detail.
Balance detail with pace.
Avoid summarizing character feelingsÂ
Film is a visual medium
''Film is a visual medium” and “Show, don’t tell.” Those are the golden rules of screenwriting
Film is about telling stories in pictures, which is the most economical way of telling a story – and when you make a short film, economy is everything. We create visual backstories for your characters. Externalize through visual images their temperament, their profession, their status, etc.
Rewrite Lines to Show
The children were bored - The children stared blankly at the wall, their fingers drumming on the table as they shuffled their feet, occasionally glancing at the clock, willing the minutes to pass.
Grandmother came home drunk - Grandmother stumbled through the door, her laughter ringing a little too loud, the scent of whiskey trailing behind her like a forgotten promise.
They loathed one another - They exchanged icy glares, their lips pressed tightly together, each refusing to break the silence, as the tension hung thick in the air between them.
Analysing Images
Denote and connote:
First denote by describing in detail what is in the picture/image/photograph
2nd connote/meanings and inferences in images/what the images suggest
Write your thoughts
Share your writing with others
Things to think about: colour, mood, lighting, tone, sound, space…
Plus, symbols and imagery and metaphors
Note: YOU CAN USE THESE IMAGES OR FIND SOME OF YOUR OWN
Try writing a scene based on the notes – either script or prose at the moment.
🔺 I chose this image to analyse at it intrigued/immediately stood out to me.
A solitary woman sitting at a table in a dimly lit diner/cafe. She is gazing pensively into a mug of coffee , surrounded by a gloomy atmosphere that comes across as very isolated. The woman's solitude in a public place suggests feelings of loneliness, alongside the muted colours and shadowy lighting that contribute a sense of sadness or introspection - inviting viewers to question the woman's thoughts and emotions. The woman's presence could be seen as a commentary on the role of women in society, espescially as it seems like the image was set in the past, when many women had a lack of independence.
Showing vs Telling in Film
For our next activity, we watched a small selection of short films, and had to note down the following ideas: Themes, Character's needs, Plot, Visual Signifiers, Use of Sound and Use of colour.
The Black Hole. (2008). [Film].
‌''A sleep-deprived office worker photocopies a "Black Hole" late one night. Suddenly, the possibilities seem endless. Will greed get the better of him?''
"The Black Hole" is a short film that explores themes of greed, temptation, and the consequences of one's actions through the story of an ordinary office worker who discovers a mysterious black hole that allows him to steal money easily. As he succumbs to his insatiable desire for wealth, his moral decay leads to isolation and disastrous repercussions. Visual signifiers, such as the contrasting colors of the black hole against the mundane office environment, underscore the allure of temptation, while the sound design and score heighten the tension and emotional stakes. Ultimately, the film serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked greed and the unforeseen consequences that follow.
Cargo. (2017). [Film].
"Stranded in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, a man sets in motion an unlikely plan to protect his infant daughter."
''Cargo" is a poignant short film that explores themes of loss, survival, and the bond between parent and child in a post-apocalyptic world. The narrative follows a father who is desperately trying to protect his baby daughter after being infected by a deadly virus that transforms humans into aggressive creatures. As he grapples with his impending fate, the film highlights his struggle to ensure his daughter's safety and secure her future. Visual signifiers, such as the stark, desolate landscapes and muted color palette, emphasize the bleakness of the setting, while the sound design—including haunting music and ambient noises—enhances the emotional weight of the father's journey. Overall, "Cargo" serves as a heart-wrenching exploration of love and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Dogtail. (2015). [Short Film].
''A short film detailing the daily life of a pickpocketer in India, shot entirely on an iPhone 6 Plus.''
"Dogtail" is a short film that explores themes of survival, innocence, and urban isolation through the story of a pickpocketer navigating the bustling streets of India. The protagonist's desperate need to survive contrasts with the moral complexities of his actions, highlighting the tension between innocence and corruption. Visual signifiers such as the dull landscape and character costuming reflect social status, while sound design—ranging from street noise to a comedic, cartoon-like soundtrack—immerses viewers in the setting. The film's color palette juxtaposes vibrant and muted tones, enhancing the emotional depth of the protagonist's journey.
Writing a Short Film Script
Come up with an idea: think of a theme that effects the age group 16-30: identity, community, addiction, gender issues, cultural and social differences, tolerance, consumerism, obsession, fear, housing, education… you choose – perhaps something you or we have explored before or from the films we analysed e.g. survival
Write a synopsis with a clear beginning, middle and end. (refer to project 2 sessions in year 1)
Use “The Beat Sheet” to help you structure your story arc.
Write the screenplay (1 pg. A4 = 1 minute)
Storyboard your shots.
Shoot – optional – and based on time allotted
Show - optional
Themes
The main ideas for the theme of my script/short film are that of grief and mental health. My main ideas are to explore the profound themes of grief and loss through the story of Nigel, a man coping with the recent death of his wife. As he clears out her belongings, he becomes fixated on a vintage mannequin that once inspired her creativity, treating it as a living presence. This obsession blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, reflecting his desperate need for connection amidst overwhelming isolation. I wanted the film to delve into the madness that can accompany deep sorrow, ultimately highlighting the importance of confronting grief to find healing and acceptance.Â
Synopsis Mind Map
Synopsis
In the wake of his wife’s recent death, Nigel struggles to navigate the overwhelming grief that has engulfed his life. While clearing out her belongings, he stumbles upon her old seamstress equipment, including a vintage mannequin that once served as her creative muse. Drawn to the dummy's lifelike presence, Nigel begins to interact with it, dressing it in his wife's favourite clothes and talking to it as if it were her.
As days turn into weeks, his bond with the mannequin deepens, becoming an escape from the unbearable reality of his loss. He confides in it, sharing memories and secrets, finding solace in the illusion of companionship. However, this fixation soon spirals into obsession, blurring the lines between grief and madness.
One fateful night, the mannequin accidentally breaks, shattering not only his precious connection but also the fragile state of his mental health. In the aftermath, Nigel is forced to confront the raw pain of his reality. The loss of the mannequin symbolizes the final severing of ties with his wife, leaving him adrift in a world devoid of color and warmth.
This short film explores the depths of grief, the struggle to hold onto love, and the haunting power of memory, ultimately revealing that true healing comes from embracing loss rather than escaping it. In the end, Nigel must decide whether to remain trapped in his illusion or to face the world anew, forever changed but ready to find a way forward.
Synopsis Steps
1. Begin your synopsis with a log line. Before you actually tell your story, state your premise. This will set your readers’ expectations and allow them to better visualize the tale you’re about to tell. A logline should be one or two sentences long. A logline should include the protagonist(s), the protagonist’s central problem and a sense of what’s at stake. Research examples!Â
2. Start with Your Lead Character in Motion. Immediately establish what your hero is trying to achieve when the story opens. Get the reader quickly invested in your protagonist’s success.
3. Establish Clear Cause-and-Effect Connections. Synopses aren’t just chronologies, a set of events related in chronological order. Write as to clearly connect your story’s events in terms of character expectations, actions taken, effects experienced, and new plans formulated. As much as what happens, we need to know why they happen.
4. Focus on Emotions. And write them BIG. Readers don’t just want love, they want PASSION. They don’t just want fear, they want TERROR. They don’t just want sadness, they want EMOTIONAL DEVASTATION. As your page count contracts, what remains must be concentrated and deliver a strong visceral impact.Â
5. Include Your Major Set-Pieces. Set-pieces are large, unified scenes of action, humor or drama. They are the big sequences that make your screenplay unique and memorable.Â
6. Think Cinematically. Use nouns, verbs and adjectives that have strong visual elements. Painting word pictures helps the reader see not just your story, but your movie.
7. Go Out with a Bang. As noted earlier, good endings help sell a screenplay. Even more so, a synopsis. Leave your reader with the feelings you want paying audiences to experience at your final fade out.Â
Story Board - A storyboard is a graphic representation of how your video will unfold, shot by shot. It's made up of a number of squares with illustrations or pictures representing each shot, with notes about what's going on in the scene and what's being said in the script during that shot.
I decided to create a storyboard for the first scene of my short film, in order to spark some initial ideas and begin to visualise the storyline to begin to create the final script.
Beat Sheet - A beat sheet breaks up the act structures of the script and identifies the important moments — or beats — in an episode or feature film. Â
Below is my beat sheet 🔻
Script
Below is a PDF link to view my script and a description of the software that I used to create it:
Short film script (Default Document).pdfđź”— Open PDF link to view my short film script.
I used the software 'Writers Duet' in order to create my short film script. I found this software effective and easy to navigate when writing my first ever script, as the formatting tools automatically meet industry standards, and the overall layout is fairly straight-forward and accessible for a beginner.
The Structure of a Screenplay
This Screenplay structure template example details the steps needed to write a screenplay. The steps include Fade in, Scene Heading, Characters first appearance, Character, Action, Transition and Dialogue. This has been helpful as a reference when writing my own script, as I initially struggled with understanding the layout and important information I should include in my script.
Examples of ScriptsÂ
These link examples are scripts that we can look at and use as inspiration or a guide when writing our own scripts, along with some useful sowtware.
Examples of Software
Look at Celtx
Studio BinderÂ
Microsoft film template
Evaluation
This week, I was introduced to exploring the method of showing and not telling, using film as a medium, analysing short films and ultimately planning and writing my own script. I found myself becoming much more confident in pursuing the format of screen-writing and the key techniques I needed to learn in order to effectively place visuals in the audience's mind.
We began with recapping the art of show and not tell, which helped me to keep all of the senses in mind when writing a scene. This was beneficial for me to go over, as I sometimes find myself over-explaining what is happening in a scene, which is not an effective way of engaging the reader. I further combatted and resolved this issue by watching and analysing a selection of examples of short films. I enjoyed this activity as it gave me an insight into what a professional short film with little to no dialogue should look like, as well as displaying show and not tell techniques, such as the use of sound and colour which inpired my own work. We were also given the task of analysing images and denoting and connoting them. I found this activity helpful as it not only got me thinking and reading like a writer in order to understand the undertones of the image, but also provided another effective example of showing the mood, tones and themes through objects and lighting which later became helpful when writing my script as I could understand how to portray a certain tone without over-explaining.
Our next step was to begin to create our very own short film script. I played around with a few different ideas and discussed them with my peers and tutor which helped me to distinguish the strengths and weaknesses of each pitch and ultimately land on my confirmed choice. I realised that my first idea would be hard to produce and write with no dialogue, so I decided not to go through with it, though still kept a note of it in case it was something I wanted to explore/expand on in the future. After I had a clear idea in my mind of my short film storyline, I noted down the main themes. I then expanded on my planning by creating a Story Board and a Beat Sheet. The Story board was beneficial as it helped me to visualise the first scene of my film, which then set a clear pathway of ideas for what the rest of the film would look like. However, the Beat Sheet aided me in breaking up the act structures of the script and identifiying the most important/key moments. A story board is something that I have never used before, but I definitely will keep in mind to utilise in the future as I found it fun to visualise my story with pictures.
Finally, I began to write my script. I initially struggled with using the correct format and seemed to be writing everything in long paragraphs as it sounded too much like a story and not a script. I overcame this issue by looking back over our sessions PowerPoint, and in particular looked at the 'Structure of a Screenplay', in order to understand the specific important terms such as 'Fade in', 'EXT.' and 'INT.' After some trial and error, I managed to get the hang of what the format should look like and completed my script with much more ease.
Overall, I feel as if I have developed a wide range of skills during this week's sessions and explored areas and formats I wouldn't usually think of using (Screen writing and Story Boarding). I am happy with my completed script and although is my first time writing a script, It is definitely something that I would like to take further and possibly shoot and use in my final project for this year.
Greg's Feedback
Rewrite Lines to ShowÂ
Lots of sharp examples of showing throughout the session's wrm up exercisesÂ
The Black Hole" -Â I think it effectively shows us a man who is trapped and desperate for change and adventure/freedom but perhaps too scared, hesitant, weak, has a fear of failure, to grasp it - then, as you say he is tempted by an escape route but chooses greed, not freedom, so still weak but now doomed.
Excellent analysis of the three films - demonstrates an understanding and impact of the visual skills i9dentified, analysed and explored.
Your film: themes
This obsession blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, reflecting his desperate need for connection amidst overwhelming isolation.Â
I think this is an outstanding visual idea and extremely mature articulation of the themes.Â
favourite - remember English spellings
Below is my beat sheet Â
Your beat sheet needs to be more consistently visual - show us the scenes/events/moments - beats are dramatic moments. We cannot see inside his mind - it is tricky, but you have got several examples in there as guides - he dresses the mannequin up like his wife etcÂ
Storyboard is such an imaginative and inventive approach. Quite brilliant!Â
I really like this idea for a film. You have a strong idea of its visual storytelling. The research and analysis clearly impact your ideas and process - impressive work throughout Â
Script
the atmosphere thickens with an
unsettling tension,
it may be at this point that others witness this behaviour - and that is why the brother responds in the next scene
It is a great script - such an imaginative idea. You must be commended on producing such a strong idea from one session. I have some issues with the closure aspects, but they are minor in view of what we set out to achieve in this session with regards to visual storytelling. The more I sit with the climax and resolution the more I warm to your idea - perhaps we can discuss. The script is efficiently and sharply written and formatted well.Â
You have identified, explored and understood all the aims of this session in your analysis, notes, exercises and practice and plus delivery of script are impressive - the evaluation is outstanding - your understanding engagement and interest in the medium and skills plus aims of the session comes though in abundance - great work!!Â
