6/11-13/14 – Finishing screenplays

Wednesday, 6/11/14

Aim: Final screenplay feedback

In groups of 3-5 (depending on how many main characters), you will do table reads of your screenplays.

For YOUR screenplay, you will read all slugs, action lines and parentheticals (action – not manner in which someone says something – so you would read it if it said “scratching her head” but not if is says the way in which the dialogue is said – such as quietly, shouting, slyly etc, that is up to the reader to say the correct way)

As you do your table read, all members, including you, are taking notes on the screenplay, what are strong points, what scenes don’t make complete sense, where there are grammar, spelling or technical formatting issues – overall giving feedback to improve the screenplay

These screenplays are due – final draft and this draft on Friday

 

Friday, 6/13/14

Aim: Wrapping up the school year:

Daily Spark: Feedback form

Watch A Fish Called Wanda

6/4/14- Reviewing Act II

Wednesday, 6/4/14

Aim: Reviewing our Act IIs

In groups of 3, today you will table read each other’s screenplays. The writer will read the action lines and the other two will play the characters. Writers, please assign the main characters to your 2 groups mates ahead of time, and as other characters come up, please assign them accordingly.

 

As you read, consider, do these characters sound real?

Are they having real conversations?

Do the conversations reveal something about the character or move the story forward, anything that doesn’t do this should be removed?

Is the screenplay format correct?

Are the action lines descriptive?

Can you see what is happening in the screenplay in your head?

Are the characters and storyline compelling? If yes, why, if not what could make it more compelling?

Those of you who DON’T have act two, should work on them.

Full screenplays are due NEXT WEDNESDAY!

5/28-30/14: Writing comedy

Wednesday, 5/28/14

Aim: Studying comedy writing, 3 act structure and character development through A Fish Called Wanda

HW: Read the first 40 pages of A Fish Called Wanda. What makes this film a comedy? Point out 5 funny moments and explain why they are funny.

Click to access A-Fish-Called-Wanda.pdf

 

Daily Spark: What do you know so far about one of our characters?

 

As we watch, collect character traits, turning points, and comedic moments – What makes the comedy work?

5/19-23/14 – Wrap Million Dollar baby and writing act 1

Monday, 5/19/14

Aim: Understanding dialogue

Daily Spark: Think about a conversation you had over the weekend that reveals something about your relationship with the other person, something about one of you or that tells us something about your weekend. To the best of your ability, recreate one minute of that dialogue.

Example:

Tarot reader: So, tell me about yourself, what do you do?

Me: I’m a high school teacher.

TR: That’s wonderful! What do you teach

Me: Film studies- video making, film history, screenwriting.

TR: And that’s high school?

Me: Yes. What about you? Are you a full time fortune teller?

TR: No, I mean I do this, but I’m also an actress

Me: Ah. Cool.

TR finishes shuffling and pulls out the cards. There are more sword cards than anything else…

TR: (looking at one of the sword cards) This card shows that you are stressed about something. Does this sound correct?

Me: Uh, not really. I was, last week, but not anymore.

TR: Huh. Ok. You have a lot of sword cards here. It usually means that you are anxious about something.

Me: I’m not. Last week we had our big festival, I was then, but, like I said, not anymore.

TR: Well, I’d like to give you some energy, if that’s ok with you.

Me: Er…

TR: It will only take a few minutes

Me: Er…um, ok…

She puts her iphone timer on and holds up her palm towards me. I fidget and fidget and fidget

5 minutes later…

TR: Ah, there, now isn’t that better? Did you feel me passing my energy

Me: (clearing my throat) uh, sure. ok. Thanks.

I leave as quickly as possible.

 

 

Today, we will be discussing dialoge.  In groups of 3, you will be reading dialogue aloud and listening, discussing how the dialoge works to tell the story, then you will do the same with your own dialogue, giving feedback.

 

 

Wednesday, 5/21/14

Aim: Studying first acts through films.

Daily Spark: Think of a film with an extremely powerful opening scene/first 10 minutes. So good, you couldn’t wait to see what happened next. What was the film? What was the opening and why did it work?

 

Today, we will watch the opening sequences of a few films. We will then debate the merits of each and decide which we will watch based on this.

The Graduate

A Fish Called Wanda

In Bruges

The Fisher King

Mash

As Good as it Gets

The Constant Gardener

 

 

Friday, 5/22/14

Aim: Understanding what makes a catchy opening

Daily Spark: What film from Wednesday did you feel most drawn to? Why? Make a case for why that is the film we should watch next. What do you believe the film is about, based on the opening?

1. Opening of Tootsie

2. Select Film

3. Watch opening again – looking for development and the introduction of the inciting incident.

5/13-15/14

Tuesday, 5/13/14

Aim: Developing the second half of Act II

Daily Spark: Describe a moment that you wanted to “give up” on something, but someone or something helped you over come that feeling and you overcame it.

Ex: My first year teaching, I had a class I couldn’t manage.  I was in different classrooms each period, and I had to run to this classroom, my second period class, from another room on the other side of the building.  The classroom was tables instead of desks, with two chairs per table. Everything I did, every rule I made, they did whatever they could to break them and test my dedication.  One day in December, I walked into my classroom was hit with the smell of diner food.  Four students who had always been particularly disruptive had gone to the diner instead of first period, purchased huge lumberjack breakfasts, and were treating the table desk  as their personal booth, with all 4 chairs around it. Like at Frank Sinatra, there was a no eating in the classrooms rule. I had had it. I walked over to the students with the big trash can from the hallway and told them to throw it away.  They refused. I didn’t want to waste any more of the period, so I left the trash can by them and got on with my lesson.  Eventually they did throw the food away, but I was so frustrated, I decided that was my last teaching day. I went to my principal, told her I was quitting, she told me to think it over, I then had a long conversation with another teacher, a woman who had been teaching in the school for several years and who taught some of these students. We spoke for a long time about education, student need, the importance of steadiness and dedication. She gave me some good advice about teaching and classroom management. I decided to stick it out.

 

Today we will watch the ending of Million Dollar Baby. Tonight, you will finish the second act for homework:

The Antagonist Returns!

Pages 50-75 or Pages _5-8___ (the 50% mark) -_8-12___ (the 75% mark)

Your protagonist has already had some run-ins with the antagonist, and has been successful so far in keeping him or her out of the way. At the 50% mark, your protagonist may believe that he or she has seen the last of the “bad guy or gal.” Unbeknownst to your protagonist, the antagonist has been getting ready to come back with a vengeance.

Describe how your antagonist rears his or her ugly head again in your script:

 

The “All is Lost” Moment

Page 75 or Page _8-12_ (the 75% mark)

Just like the 50% mark, the “All is Lost” Moment is a false defeat. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. The antagonist has come back with a bigger army and a brilliant game plan right when your protagonist thought all his or her problems were gone for good. After such a huge defeat, it is no wonder your protagonist is ready to throw in the towel and give up on his or her dreams.

Describe the “All is Lost” Moment

 

The “Aha!” Moment

Page 85 or Page __8-13__ (the 85% mark)

This is the moment when your protagonist pulls him or herself off the floor and back into action. Oftentimes, with the help of the supporting characters, he or she will come up with a brilliant plan (aha!) to finally defeat the antagonist—this time for good.

Describe the “Aha!” moment of your script

 

In class we will watch the rest of the second act of the film.

 

Thursday, 5/15/14

Aim: Understanding the final turning point

Daily Spark: Did you like Million Dollar Baby? Why or why not?

Today, we will swap packets and you will give feedback to someone else.

Think about:

1. Does the story hold your attention?
2. Do the turning points seem life changing enough?
3. Are you interested in the main character/want him/her to succeed?
4. How/what are you learning about each character?
5. Does the conflict seem realistic?
6. Does the story move you?
7. What are some additions or changes you would make?

Afterwards, discuss

5/5-9/14 – Act 2 Outline

Monday and Wednesday , 5/5+7/14

Aim: Understanding Act 2 of a screenplay

Daily Spark: What was one line of script that stood out to you?  What do you think is meant by “subplot?”

 

The subplot, also known as the “B story” should be introduced on or around page 30 (page 3-5 for you).  A common subplot is a love story involving the protagonist, but it can also be based around supporting characters or even a brand new gang of characters. The subplot will make your script more dynamic and exciting.

Today, we will switch and watch before we do.

Today we will focus on “subplot” – what is/are the subplots of Million Dollar Baby? How do they connect to or enhance the main narrative arc?

You will also learn more about each of your characters. What do you learn? How do you learn it?

 

Friday 5/9/14

Aim: Writing our subplot

Daily Spark: What is a subplot of Million Dollar Baby? What more do you learn about the characters?

 

Today, you will work on your own subplot and character developement

 

The subplot, also known as the “B story” should be introduced on or around page 30. A common subplot is a love story involving the protagonist, but it can also be based around supporting characters or even a brand new gang of characters. The subplot will make your script more dynamic and exciting.

Brainstorm some ideas for various subplots, and how you might introduce them into your script. You may want to go back to the questions you answered about your supporting characters on the “Character Questionnaire” or the “Creating Conflict” worksheet.

 

When you are done with this, move on to the next section: Getting to know your characters

Having Fun and Getting to Know Your Characters:

Pages 30-50 or Pages 3-5 (the 30% mark) – 5-8 (the 50% mark)

This is the portion of a film where most of the trailer clips come from. As you might guess, this part of the script is more upbeat; it is less about your characters moving towards an end goal and more about your characters having fun and getting to know each other. This does not mean that it is less important, since each scene in a script must move the story forward. This part of your script helps your audience get to know what your characters and your story are all about. For example, this is the part of The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy sings and dances along the Yellow Brick Road with her newfound friends.
Write out some rising action that might fit into this section of your script in the space provided.

 

When you finish this, you will work on the midpoint of your film:

The 50% Mark:

Page 50 or Page 5-8 (the 50% mark)

The fun is now over, and it’s time to get back to the story. The midpoint of your script can be tricky. This is where your protagonist thinks that things can’t get any better or any worse. The trick is that neither is true. The movie is only halfway over, and things are going to get worse before they get better. This is the moment when Dorothy looks across the poppy field and sees the Emerald City. Though it looks like her journey is almost over, it has only just begun.

 

+Finish for homework+

 

4/29-5/1/14 – Inciting incident

Tuesday, 4/29/14

HW: Finish up through “Into the Wide Unknown” for Thursday

Aim: Understanding and outlining the inciting incident and consequential actions.

Daily Spark: Describe a BIG decision you had to make. What was it? What were your options? What did you decide and why? Describe the moment you made your decision.

Ex: In the summer of 2009, I was ready to leave New York. I wanted to be in a smaller city, and started interviewing for jobs in other places. One place I particularly liked was Burlington, VT. I interviewed for a film teacher position at the school.  When I got back to NY from my first interview, I had received an interview invitation for a similar position at FSSA.  I decided it wouldn’t hurt to at least interview, so I did.

I ended up getting both job offers and had to decide what to do.  On the one hand, Burlington was a lovely city, a change of pace from NYC, a big school with a well established media arts program and a strong faculty. The administration and staff seemed welcoming and nice and the city on a whole seemed very livable with a lake and affordable, big apartments and it was near lots of places to go skiing. But I didn’t know anyone in Burlington, was far away from friends and family, didn’t know much about the school system there and it gets extremely cold for half the year.

On the other hand, was FSSA.  FSSA was offering me a position where I could create the curriculum for their new film department. I knew the NYC school system and had built up my personal reputation in NYC, I have lots of friends and family here and the school was very prestigious. Like Burlington, I didn’t know the faculty or administration yet, but the people I had met seemed nice.   I wouldn’t have to find a new home, move, make all new friends…

Obviously, I decided to stay.

On my first day of school at FSSA, I met my first class…

 

Today, you will work on your Inciting Incident and your “big decision” outline sections.

++If you haven’t filled out up to this point for Million Dollar Baby, please make sure you do before Thursday++

 

Inciting Incident
Page 10 or Page _2-3_ (the 10% mark)

In the set-up, you have told us all about the world of your script. The inciting incident will turn that world upside down. Protagonists get fired, find out they have a long-lost brother, get news that they have three days to live, meet the girl or boy of their dreams, get transported somewhere over the rainbow by a powerful tornado, etc. This is what forces your protagonist out of a daily routine and into the adventure of a lifetime.

 

 

The Big Decision
Pages 10-25 or Pages _2/3___ (the 10% mark) -__3-5__ (the 25% mark)

Page 25 is the point of no return. From page 10 until this point, your protagonist should be debating whether to embark on his or her journey or just continue living his or her uneventful, everyday life. Your protagonist should ultimately choose the more dangerous and exciting path towards his or her goal, but it won’t be an easy decision to make.

Write two lists from your protagonist’s point of view: one stating why he or she should keep things as they currently are, and one stating why he or she should embark on the adventure.

Reasons why I keep things as they are:

Reasons why I should embark on the adventure:

 

 

Into the Wide Unknown
Page 25 or Page __3-5__ (the 25% mark)

This is a big moment for your protagonist, and you want to make sure that your audience knows it. He or she is leaving the old world behind, and stepping into the unknown. Because these two worlds are so distinct, the act of actually stepping into the new one must be unmistakable. A great example of this is in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy steps out of her house and into the Munchkin City.

Describe the moment where your protagonist steps into the “new world.”

 

 

Thursday, 5/1/14

Aim: Understanding the turning points of a film though watching Million Dollar Baby

HW4.3: Read Million Dollar Baby through page 37: http://sellascript.com/Source/resources/screenplays/million_dollar_baby.pdf

Describe the characters of Frank, Maggie and Scrap, as we know them so far. Highlight (or write down) action lines with good description.

Daily Spark: In Million Dollar Baby, the conflict is set up. Maggie wants to train with Frankie, Frankie doesn’t want to train her. List the reasons why you think Frankie should and the reasons he should not train her.

What do you think he will do? Why?

 

Watch Million Dollar Baby through the first major turning point

4/23-25/14: Outlining second screenplay

Wednesday, 4/24/14

Aim: Outlining our second screenplays:

Daily Spark: Describe the first moment of your day, or an activity from your vacation.

Ex: I peered through the dirty glass of the dim sum restaurant. There was one family sitting inside. All the other tables, though there were only 4 or five, were empty. The restaurant had a refrigerated glass display along the front left with a smiling hostess of about 70 standing behind. She was short and had her greying hair twisted into a sloppy bun on top of her head. She wore an apron that at one point may have been crisp and white, but was a few hundred wash cycles past its prime. The yellow stained linoleum floor times were sticky and the glass topped, plastic tablecloth topped tables could use some updating. I looked back at my guidebook and back to the restaurant sign to make sure I had the right place.

 

Today, we will begin the second packet : http://2012.ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/files/scriptfrenzy-ywp/sf_ywp_11_hs_workbook.pdf

 

You will use your first packet to help answer the questions:

1. Log line
2. Describe your opening image. Close your eyes and think about what the first image your audience sees and why this is the first image they see. Describe it. (Think about openings of other films – why does that become important?)
   1. The opening scene is an opportunity for you to give the audience the starting
      point of the protagonist’s journey. It can be an image of your protagonist, an
      important setting, a revealing conversation between characters, an object that
      is essential to the plot, etc. This should give your audience a “snapshot” of
      what the rest of your film might look like, or what your film is all about. The
      opening scene in The Wizard of Oz depicts Dorothy and Toto running down
      a dirt road with storm clouds approaching in the background. Once you
      watch the whole film, you realize how important that first scene really is. And
      remember, just as the first page of a script needs to draw the reader in, the
      opening image of a script needs to draw the audience in.
3. When you are finished, move on to the outline of the first three pages of your film, up to your inciting incident:
   1. All the important characters (your protagonist, antagonist, and supporting
      characters) in your main plot will be introduced during the first ten pages, or
      at least hinted at. You want your audience to know all your characters’ strange
      tics and behaviors—basically, what makes your characters unique. You will also
      want to set up your internal and external conflicts. By page 10, your audience
      needs to feel for and identify with your characters enough to care about their
      stories
   2. So, you will write down your conflict and a few distinguishing features that make each of your characters unique. In the first 3 pages of your script, make sure you set up this conflict and portray your characters’ unique personalities.
4. If you finish this, move on to outlining your inciting incident.
   1. In the set-up, you have told us all about the world of your script. The inciting
      incident will turn that world upside down. Protagonists get fired, find out they
      have a long-lost brother, get news that they have three days to live, meet the
      girl or boy of their dreams, get transported somewhere over the rainbow by a
      powerful tornado, etc. This is what forces your protagonist out of a daily routine
      and into the adventure of a lifetime.

 

Friday, 4/25/14

Aim: Understanding setting up a film/the inciting incident

 

Daily Spark: What is one decision you had to make over the vacation. What were the pros and cons of each, what decision did you make, why did you make it and what impact did that have?

Example: In San Francisco, I had to decide whether to have dinner with my cousin who I never see  and don’t really know (and am not sure I like or not) or with my friend who I also rarely see, who I was visiting and had spent all week with.

Pros of dinner with my cousin: Get to know her and her husband better, get to do something new, sit on the ocean with a nice view, my parents will be happy, I’ll feel good

Cons: Have to travel into San Fran from Oakland (40 minutes on the train), less time with my friend, I’m not sure I have a lot in common with my cousin so what would we talk about?

Knowing me, what decision do you think I made?

 

 

 

Decision/why: Dinner with cousin. She’s my cousin, I’d like to know them better, it’s the right thing to do…

Impact: I realized I like my cousin and we had a great time. I know her and her husband much better now and will have a better relationship with her in the future

Today we will watch the set up of the film Million Dollar Baby. 

You will write the answers to the questions you answered for yourself on Wednesday for the film today.

4/8-10/14 – Beginning Screenplay

Tuesday, 4/8/14

Aim: Deciding on a story to tell

Daily Spark: Describe the meeting between two people. First as a drama, then as a horror film then as a rom com.

 

A few things:

1. Many of you wrote your scenes into the 7 turning points instead of making the scene ONE of the 7 turning points. If this is you – you must rewrite today (later)
2. First you will decide on a script to write. We will start with an exercise in the packet you have in front of you (good script, bad script
   1. At home,  click here and scroll to page 6
3. Which of your two stories have more elements of a “good film” and less elements of a “bad film”
4. At this point, if your 7 TPs are one scene, you should work to rewrite it, if it is not,

 

 

Thursday, 4/10/14

Aim: Developing our conflict

Daily Spark: Write the logline for the screenplay you decided to write.

 

Today we will develop the characters in your screenplay

 

When you select which of your two outlines you want to work with, move on to “casting your characters” – read through and answer the character questionnaire for the characters in your screenplay
Please finish Character questionnaire for your main character by Thursday
Share out

Over the break:

Page 15-18. Develop conflict

 

Over break, finish your outline (finish this packet)

3/31-4/4 – Innocente and beginning script

Monday 3/31/14

Aim: Watching Innocente for critical understanding

Daily Spark: How would the story of your year so far be different as told by you versus as told by a parent or sibling of yours (telling the story of your year?

 

Here are some big questions/big ideas to think about as we watch:

1. What is the subject of this film? Can you determine the filmmakers’ perspective on this subject? What evidence can you find in the film to support your view?
2. How does this film help you analyze and interpret points of view about issues that concern people?
3. Does the filmmakers’ perspective foster respect for diversity and an inclusive society? If so, how?
4. Whose story is told in this documentary? Whose story is not told? How does this story, and the way it is told, help you understand your own community/life?
5. What film techniques do the filmmakers use to convey the identity of the people in this film?
6. What insights does this documentary offer about the ideals of good citizenship in the community depicted in this film?
7. How does the film deal with issues of freedom, equality, human dignity, and individual and collective rights and
   responsibilities?
8. How does this film help you understand a community’s values and its attitudes towards an issue at a particular time?
9. Which aspects of a people’s culture does this film focus on? Why do you think the filmmakers focused on those aspects?
10. How do the images, themes and message of this film help you understand the filmmakers’ attitude towards the subject?
11. What do you think might have been the intended audience’s attitude towards the documentary subject?
12. What global issues are addressed in this film? What is the filmmaker’s point of view on the opportunities and challenges
    of those issues?

As we watch:

Take notes on, or jot down connections to, two of the thematic domains from the Big Questions/Ideas/Themes.  Find proof
from the film that supports your connections.

 

Wednesday 4/2/14

Sarah

 

Friday 4/4/14

Aim: Deciding on a story to tell

Daily Spark: Describe your best friend and his/her bedroom as if you are describing them to a police sketch artist who has to draw each of them based on your description.

 

A few things:

1. Many of you wrote your scenes into the 7 turning points instead of making the scene ONE of the 7 turning points. If this is you – you must rewrite today (later)
2. First you will decide on a script to write. We will start with an exercise in the packet you have in front of you (good script, bad script
   1. At home,  click here and scroll to page 6
3. Which of your two stories have more elements of a “good film” and less elements of a “bad film”
4. At this point, if your 7 TPs are one scene, you should work to rewrite it, if it is not, move on to #5
5. When you select which of your two outlines you want to work with, move on to “casting your characters” – read through and answer the character questionnaire for the characters in your screenplay
6. Please finish Character questionnaire for your main character by Tuesday
7. Share out