no6. Key Terms Defined

TERMS USED BY SCRIPTWRITERS
FOR THE PITCH PACKAGE:
ask jeannette if not clear!! 30/3/2012
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What is...

- Story Angle

* what is the focus/key idea of your story? 
* angle = perspective = point of view

- 1 Sentence Summary

* a summary of what your story is about
* who is your story about
* YOUR STORY IN ONE SENTENCE
* story = key character + situation + motive + key msg 

- Executive Summary
* fast info for full production 
* info includes:
- title
- genre
- target audience
- target media / channel 
- target time slots
- language
- duration of screenplay
- 1 sentence summary
- production team / esp producer & director
- production schedule / timeline
- ideal actors/actresses for key role
- marketing potential
- research & background info (if relevant) 
- contact info
- etc etc 

- Synopsis (2-3 para)

* a summary story outline of your screenplay. 
you usually read this before you watch a movie or a tv show.


- Character Bios (key characters only) 
* character traits that will be used for your screenplay.
* sometimes back-story is included IF used in screenplay.

- 3 Act Structure

* a one page map of your story in point form
* if your 3 Act does not work, your screenplay will not work!
* use this to plot out your story beats
***EXTREMELY USEFUL TOOL TO USE BEFORE WRITING THE STORYLINE/TREATMENT & SCRIPT***

- Storyline / Treatment

* detailed description/story of how your screenplay will be presented if produced

* no dialogue needed

* use present tense

* write as if you are watching the screenplay from start to end of your show

PLEASE READ: 
ROBERT MCKEE - "STORY STRUCTURE"

download: https://sites.google.com/site/nafawrites/downloads3

no5. 3 ACT STRUCTURE

Case Study:

Watch these video clips, then write:

- the 1-Sentence Summary 

- & apply the following stories to the 3 Act Structure

note: please observe key characters & their motives.

(MTV) IT'S MY LIFE - BON JOVI

http://youtu.be/vx2u5uUu3DE

SNOWMAN

http://youtu.be/w8lBDbgq65c

FANTASIA2000 - FLAMINGO

http://youtu.be/x4H3icCCiXY

FOR THE BIRDS
http://youtu.be/MOiyD26cJ2A

JURASSIC FART
http://youtu.be/9erlZnMekZ0

no4. DEADLINES

FINAL ASSIGNMENT (50%):

Deadlines:

Week 10              - Draft #1 (submit bb only) - focus on story

Week 10-12        - Draft for class consult - focus on story/3Act

Week 13             - Final Draft (submit print/bb) - incl 5 page script

Please download (updated) Template for use.


DEADLINES
work to be submitted - in summary:

week 2 - ex2 part 1 - write up: "what makes a good story"

week 3 - ex2 part 2 - loglines (using the 1 sentence pitch)

week 4 - ex2 part 3 - synopsis

week 5 - ex2 part 4 - story 1 - based on a location

week 6 - ex2 part 5 - story 2 - based on an item

week 7 - ex1 - 5min group presentation + individual paper

week 8/9 - written test
week 10 - draft / working draft (via blackboard)
week 10-12 - consult

week 13 - final assignment (print & blackboard)

pls read the briefs for work that needs submitting!



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work to submit:
(use templates)
wk2 - ex2 - "a good story..."
wk3 - ex2 - genre/loglines
wk4 - ex2 - synopsis
wk5 - ex2 - story1 (location)
wk6 - ex2 - story2 (item)
wk7 - ex1 - group + individual
week8/9 - written test
week 13 - final assignment

note: please download and read the briefs.

Final Assignment - Deadlines:

week10 - draft (bb)

week10-12 - consult

week13 - Final Draft (print & bb)

no3. GROUPS FOR EX1

Ex1: (GROUP) CHARACTER STUDY

Reading: "The Little Prince" - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

download brief:  https://sites.google.com/site/nafawrites/downloads3

GROUP PRESENTATION (5min): 

Submit: Slides done by group (printed & softcopy)

Deadline: Week 7

Your work should only contain your ideas and analysis of the character. (use your own words to express YOUR thoughts on the characters). Please note that you should NOT use other references in your analysis from an external source.

GROUPS FOR EX1:

CLASS 2C (mon 9-12pm)

1. THE SNAKE

Quinn / Soeun / Khai / Martin / Karrina / Kelvin

2. LAMPLIGHTER

Christantio / Yoshua / Nikita / Wen Ting / Yeo Qin

3. THE FOX

Danielle Lean / Vania / Zulqarnain / Alvin / Laura / Cynthia

4. THE ROSE

Nur Hasanah / Barnabas / Ping Ting / Jason / Samuel

Class 2D (mon 12-3pm)

1. THE BUSINESSMAN

Nithin / Sagar / Kris Qiu Min / Chia bi / Nadia / YiYu

2. THE SNAKE

jia ling / hui cheng / azim / kelly / eldon

3. THE ROSE

beatrice / blanche / Yosua / ronnie / pro / wang su

4. THE FOX

nel / weng / jem / raymond / rizky

Class 2L (Fri 9-12pm)

1. THE BUSINESSMAN

farhan / din / B / timsy / juliana / Doogie

2. THE FOX

farrah / ashikin / irwin / gregory / willy

3. THE ROSE

shan / felix / Yoo Seok / Reema / Stan

4. THE KING

Raven / Khai / yingling / helmut / braudon / angeline

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

no1. what's your story?

To do:
1. Set up your blog
2. Blog1: follow lecture notes
3. Link to lecturer's blog & downloads
4. Brief for Ex1, Ex2
5. Lecture Notes - Lesson1

This week:
WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY?

Case Studies:

“My Blackberry is NOT working!”

http://youtu.be/kAG39jKi0lI

“Your name, Sir?”

http://youtu.be/hNoS2BU6bbQ

Mr Twit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJzlPT_-Vwc


Class Exercise:
* know the common terms in storytelling/scriptwriting

define these terms & give examples:
GENRE

CLICHE

STEREOTYPE

ANTAGONIST

PROTAGONIST

SUPPORTING CHARACTER

COMIC RELIEF

CHARACTERIZATION
-
define these terms: (no examples needed) 
CONCEPT / CONCEPTUALIZATION
THEME
PITCH
LOGLINE
CHARACTER BIO
SYNOPSIS
STORYLINE
TREATMENT
DEVELOPMENT HELL

Readings:
The Twits
The Little Prince

Brief:
Ex1, Ex2
Use of templates provided

REMINDERS:
1. Set up your blog & do the Class Exercise
2. SUBMIT HARD/SOFT COPY - Week 2 - Ex2 - "What makes a good story?"
3. Readings for Ex2

work to be submitted - in summary:

week 2 - ex2 part 1 - write up: "what makes a good story"

week 3 - ex2 part 2 - loglines (using the 1 sentence pitch)

week 4 - ex2 part 3 - synopsis

week 5 - ex2 part 4 - story 1 - based on a location

week 6 - ex2 part 5 - story 2 - based on an item

week 7 - ex1 - 5min group presentation + individual paper

week 8/9 - written test

week 13 - final assignment

pls read the briefs for work that needs submitting!

GROUPS:

CLASS 2C (mon 9-12pm)

1.
Quinn
Soeun
Khai
Martin
Karrina
Kelvin

2.
Christantio
Yoshua
Nikita
Wen Ting
Yeo Qin

3.
Danielle Lean
Vania
Zulqarnain
Alvin
Laura
Cynthia

4.
Nur Hasanah
Barnabas
Ping Ting
Jason
Samuel

(ABSENT: NIL)

Class 2D (mon 12-3pm)

1.
Nithin
Sagar
Kris Qiu Min
Chia bi
Nadia
YiYu

2.
jia ling
hui cheng
azim
kelly
eldon

3.
beatrice
blanche
Yosua
ronnie
pro

4.
nel
weng
jem
raymond
riky

(ABSENT: WANG SU)


Class 2L (Fri 9-12pm)

1.
farhan
din
B
timsy
juliana
Doogie

2.
farrah
ashikin
irwin
gregory
willy

3.
shan
felix
Yoo Seok
Reema
Stan

4.
Raven
Khai
yingling
helmut

(ABSENT: ANGELINE)