9/17/13
HW 1.2: Write log lines for 2-3 tv shows or films. Write these in your idea-logue
Aim: Understanding characterization, description and log lines
Daily Spark: Think back to your HW due Friday – who was your main character, what was his/her main goal and what was the main obstacle?
– does everyone have an idea-logue??
1. Review from Friday
-Everyone should read through their direct characterization and the two indirect characterizations they received back.
Share out some
Did you imagine your person similarly? Differently? Do the other authors capture a sense of the person’s character through the indirect characterization they wrote?
Shifting gears
1. Share out Daily Spark
2. Think: What do you think makes a story compelling? In other words, what makes a story one we will pay $13 and use 2 hours of our day to sit through?
3. What is a log line?
A log line or hook:
The story in one to three active sentences, focusing on the concept, main character and main conflict. Ideally in 25 words or less.
“Turns out, the Wicked Witch didn’t melt. She’s been in Munchkin jail, she’s extremely pissed off, and now she’s coming to New York to get her slippers back.”
After a twister transports a lonely Kansas farm girl to a magical land, she sets out on a dangerous journey to find a wizard with the power to send her home.
A logline must present:
who the story is about (protagonist)
what he strives for (goal)
what stands in his way (antagonistic force).
Since a screenplay provides the story for a motion picture – a visual medium – it is important that the logline convey visual/external aesthetics. For example, words like “decides,” “realizes,” “learns” should be avoided when constructing a logline – especially when presenting the major conflict of the story. These words connote an internal process that is not wholly appealing to the cinema.
Turn your Daily Spark into a log line
Think of another movie/tv show you’ve seen – see if you can create a good logline for it!
Share out!
Thursday, 9/19/13
HW – Idealogue – come up with 3-4 film idea sketches/loglines – included should be main character, main goal, main obstacle.
Aim: Understanding Loglines and seeing script to screen
Daily Spark: Take out your logline that you wrote Tuesday.
Share loglines and try to guess
After a logline, we write a treatment.
A film treatment is similar to that of an overview or synopsis of the film idea. It usually ranges from 8 to 15 pages and includes all the important conceptual elements, structured in 3-5 acts, each with a beginning, middle and end. When you submit your script, your treatment will often be the first document to be glanced over. If the main concept is enjoyable and your treatment is well written maybe, just maybe, your script will make it into the hands of the “professional script reader”
In order to get there, we first have to discuss story structure, characters and narrative arc.
Today – we will watch and look at a script together The Class (2008, Dir: Laurent Cantet)
Think about –
How the script translates to the screen
How we understand the characters
How we learn the backstory of the characters and set up for the rest of the film
Screen writing 2013-2014 