SCREEN WRITING!

How to start…

G U I D I N G Q U E S T I O N S

• What are the key features of a screenplay?

• How can a screenwriter correctly write a screenplay that can be read by actors, directors, and producers?

Lets Look at an Example!

SCREEN WRITE SAMPLE

http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/liarliar.pdf

Pg. 42

ANOTHER EXAMPLE!

NEWSIES

A Musical Feature Film

SCREEN WRITE

http://home.online.no/~bhundlan/scripts/Newsies.pdf

REVISIONS?!

REVISIONS:

1st Blue 3/11/91

2nd Pink 3/28/91

3rd Yellow 4/08/91

4th Green 4/10/91

5th Goldenrod 4/12/91

6th Buff 4/12/91 (PM)

7th Salmon 4/18/91

8th Cherry 4/19/91

9th Tan 4/22/91

10th Grey 4/25/91

11th Ivory 4/26/91

12th Blue (2) 5/1/91

13th Pink (2) 5/8/91

14th Yellow (2) 5/10/91

15th Green (2) 5/15/91

EXAMPLE!

Another …

THOUGHTS…

http://home.online.no/~bhundlan/scripts/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean_First-Draft.txt

Dialogue?

Setting?

Music?

FORMATTING

Do Screenplays Read like a book?

Screenplays are written using a specific format. People who write

screenplays professionally use specific software,

Commonly used one:

Movie Magic Screenwriter.

Screenwriting software = expensive

Do I need software to write a Screen write? • know how and a story to tell.

LETS PRACTICE (20 MINS.)

Step 1. The storyFirst, you need to choose your story. It can be a long chapter book or a shorter picture book you love. It can be a comic strip you like to read. It can be a story you made up. A good story will have strong characters and make you feel something for what’s going on. What story are you going to use?

In your group discuss and write down the following:1. Story used (write details about story)2. Characters (Who are they?)

THE CONCEPT (15 MINS.)

Step 2. The conceptNext, describe your story’s “high concept.”

• Term used in Hollywood: main idea of your story.• Example: Put it in a “what if” format. For

instance, think about the movie Mary Poppins. The “what if” statement would be “What if a nanny with magical powers came to take care of three children and changed their lives forever?”

Groups: Write your “what if” statement.