no2. characters in situations

What makes a good character?

KNOW YOUR CHARACTER

-Name, nicknames

-Appearance

-Profile – age, race, background

-Nature/personality

-Thoughts, attitudes, values, beliefs

-Behaviour/reaction

-Likes/dislikes, interests/pet peeves

-Strengths/talents, weaknesses

-Experiences/backstories

-Relationships

-Motives, objectives
-Role of character in your story

GOOD CHARACTERS 
RELATE TO YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

STORY-TELLING =

you create characters (with motives),

put them in situations (to reach an outcome)

to communicate your key idea/message  (moral of the story)

CHARACTERS IN SITUATIONS:

- Know Your Character(s)!

- Situations - One thing leads to another, reaching an outcome. 

All characters have motives.

What are situations for?

- situations allow viewers to know your character better

- situations allow you to hook your audience

- situations allow characters to reach a resolution for their motives

- situations help stories move forward from Act1 to Act3

- situations allow chain reactions, making your story more interesting

 

All stories can be summarized into 1 sentence!

One storyline can have many plots & subplots.

>> focus on the 1-sentence story idea

>> Keep your story simple!

Case Studies

Note the Chain Reaction during a situation in these video clips: 
 
Mulan: http://youtu.be/JQayrEE-gpw

The Money Pit #1: http://youtu.be/nJPju1f6p0E

The Money Pit #2: http://youtu.be/9CJ9EDtZ2p8

The Money Pit #3: http://youtu.be/wBxRwF4qnhU 
Tampopo: http://youtu.be/38m-wnbHPLA

 

DEVELOPMENT: FROM STORY TO SCRIPT

1. 1-Sentence Story Idea

2. Synopsis & Story Angle

3. Character Bio (or Character Bible)

- character motives

- situations, outcomes, key message

- dramatic sequence - one thing leads to another / chain reaction

4. 3 Act Structure

- identify setup, plots & sub plots

- create a hook/teaser

- turning points

- climax

5. Storyline

- follow 3 Act Structure

- use beats

- use scene breakdown

6. Script - Draft1

-use standard format

-

7. Story & Script Editing

below are more terms for your blogs:

STANDARD TERMS FOR SCRIPTWRITERS

List and learn the following terms:

A Scriptwriter’s Terminology:

1 SENTENCE PITCH

LOGLINE

SYNOPSIS

CHARACTER BIO

CHARACTER BIBLE

3 ACT STRUCTURE

STORYLINE

TREATMENT

PLOTS / SUBPLOTS

SCENE BREAKDOWN

BEATS

SCRIPT

All situations/plots need:

HOOK / TEASER

MOTIVE

CONFLICT / OBSTACLES

DRAMA / ACTION

DRAMATIC SEQUENCE

UP THE STAKES

CHAIN REACTION

RESOLUTION

OUTCOME

CLOSURE

Terms and the 3 Act Structure: 
- PARADIGM = diagram of a screenplay (story map)
- ACTS - Act1, Act2, Act3
- SET UP
- CONFRONTATION
- RESOLUTION
- PLOT POINTS
- TURNING POINTS
- MOTIVE
- CONFLICT
- DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT
- UP THE STAKES
- CLIMAX