12/17-19/13 – Studying Character driven films through Harold and Maude

Tuesday 12/17/13

HW: Rough drafts of full screenplay due Thursday 12/19

Please also read the first 30 pages of Harold and Maude: Click here (understand this is a draft, so it won’t be exactly the same as the movie)

Aim:  Studying Character driven films through Harold and Maude

Daily Spark: What is one thing you noticed about the the writing of Harold and Maude?

We will study the idea of a character driven screenplay through the study of Harold and Maude (1971; Director: Hal Ashby; Screenplay: Colin Higgins)

As we watch look for:

1. First major turning point

2: Characteristics of Harold, Mrs. Chasen and Maude

Thursday 12/19/13

Aim:  Studying Character driven films through Harold and Maude

Daily Spark: Write a dialogue between two of the main characters (Harold, Maude, Mrs. Chasen) in their voices. They are either: 1. Shopping for groceries, 2. Packing for a vacation or 3. Deciding on a movie to see in the theater.

As we watch – take note of when you learn something new about a character and when you notice any changes in a character.

12/12-14/13 – Workshopping Act 1 and 2

Wednesday 12/12/13

Aim: Workshopping our stories

HW: Rough drafts of full screenplay due Thursday 12/19

Daily Spark: What was one thing you liked/didn’t like about the film yesterday?

Now: We will swap screenplays to give feedback to one another using Act 1 and 2 workshopping sheet

You have the period to read and critique. For the last 10 minutes of the period, you should meet with your partner and go over your critiques, explaining your thoughts about your partner’s screenplay.

 

Friday, 12/13/13

HW: Rough drafts of full screenplay due Thursday 12/19

Please also read the first 30 pages of Harold and Maude: Click here (understand this is a draft, so it won’t be exactly the same as the movie)

Aim: Understanding types of screenplays: 1. Character driven

Daily Spark: What do you think is meant by the term “Character driven?”

 

A character driven story is a story that is driven by the character and not an outside plot incident. It is more concerned with studying people that with developing an elaborate plot. Plot is often sacrificed to make more time to explain the characters.

Character driven v. Plot driven

This week, (and next) we will study the idea of a character driven screenplay through the study of Harold and Maude (1971; Director: Hal Ashby; Screenplay: Colin Higgins)

First: Watch the first few minutes

Next: Read the opening pages

After: Discuss

Watch and look for: 1. First major turning point

2: Characteristics of Harold, Mrs. Chasen and Maude

12/3-5/13 – Act II

Tuesday and Thursday 12/3-5/13

Aim: Understanding script formatting/writing style and writing our second acts

HW2.4: go to Drew’s script -o-rama or simply scripts and find a script for a film you like.  Read the first 30 pages and answer the question: how does each scene either 1. reveal something new about a character/situation and/or complicate the main obstacle. Identify the first turning point.

Also, bring in a print out of acts 1 and 2 for Wednesday

Daily Spark: Read scripts together:

Modern Family

• Pilot
• The Bicycle Thief 

Bonnie and Clyde

What happens in the second act?

Remember while writing:

1. Review Script General principals:
   1. Written in present tense
   2. Follows the progression of the video, moment by moment
   3. Words on the page present each scene, action, image, character and series of events to a reader as they would appear to the viewer of the film
   4. Nothing in the script that will not bee seen or heard by the audience.
   5. Think in IMAGES and SOUND (much like the treatment)
   6. DRAMATIZE internal states
   7. Stay true to character.  Show their feelings through their words and actions

Review Script Formatting:

Scripts break into 6 formatting elements:

1. 1. Today you will be creating your screenplays.  You will use the Pages formatting, but you must also know what the formatting is
   1. Review Script General principals: (pg 17)
      1. Written in present tense
      2. Follows the progression of the video, moment by moment
      3. Words on the page present each scene, action, image, character and series of events to a reader as they would appear to the viewer of the film
      4. Nothing in the script that will not bee seen or heard by the audience.
      5. Think in IMAGES and SOUND (much like the treatment)
      6. DRAMATIZE internal states
      7. Stay true to character.  Show their feelings through their words and actions

   Review Script Formatting:

Scripts break into 6 formatting elements:

i. Title
ii. Scene Heading (1.5” from left edge of page)

1. Establishes location and time of day
2. Also called a slug line
3. All caps, EXT. or INT. , description of place (specific, not just “house” but “living room”) – time of day
   1. Location name (if returning) MUST remain consistent!
   2. Instead of time of day, can be continuous, same or later depending on the previous scene.

iii.      Stage Directions (1.5” from left edge of page)

1. Also called scene direction
2. Written in present tense
3. Describe the actions of the characters, the setting and any other images.
4. Write what the viewer sees and hears (other than dialogue)
5. Do not get too detailed about movement or settings etc. Important information only
6. At margin—between descriptions, double space.  No indents
7. Certain things must be in all capital letters:
   1. First time a character is introduced in the story
   2. Sound cues (ie-sirens, church bells, period bell)
   3. Readable text (text that the viewer will read on the screen)

iv.      Character Cues (4.25” from left edge of page—Name STARTS at center of page)

1. Indicates which character speaks the dialogue
2. In all caps
3. Name stays consistent
4. If more than one character w/ same name: use last name
5. Additional info written in parentheses
   1. (V.O) – Voice over
   2. (O.S) – Off Screen
   3. (TV) or (RADIO) – broadcast

v.      Dialogue (starts at 2.5” and ends at 6.5” from left edge of page)

1. Creative writing/stylistic choices come into play
2. Think about: grammar, speech tone/rhythm—how does this person speak?  How can character’s word choice reveal information about the character’s thoughts?

vi.      Personal Direction (starts at 3.75” and ends at 5.5” from left edge of page)

1. Always VERY brief
2. Placed in parentheses
3. No capital letters unless using a proper noun
4. Refer only to the person speaking the lines within which they appear
5. NOT to give emotional direction to actor
6. Used only for:
   1. Actions that must happen on a particular line
   2. Can tell the receiver of dialogue—if a group, but person is only speaking to one person for example