Film DramaWriting Principles

AimTo review the

principals of writing film drama

What is film drama?

The Key Elements of a Story

Characters

Fictional persons

Unique traits

Defined by what they do

PlotSeries of meaningful events of the story

Actions and consequences of the story

Grows from the conflict that arises when two forces in a play come into opposition

It has to create drama

How to create drama?Goal: It is what your character want to achieve

Obstacles: It is what your character has to overcome to achieve her/his goal

Action: It is what your character has to do to overcome the obstacles to achieve his/her goal

Conflict: It is the struggle of the character attempting to reach her/his goal. It has to build up in crescendo. Can't be easy.

StructureIt is how the story is put together - the order of the events of your plot

It is the escalating conflict or rising action

Exposition, complication, climax and resolution

DialogueIt is what characters say and how they say it

It defines characters and moves the story forward

It needs a dramatic purpose - it needs to be carefully designed

Theme

It is the purpose of your story

It is really what you are writing about I.e. jealously, competition, pride

Drama = ConflictWithout conflict you have no character

Without character you gave no action

Without action you have no story

Without story you have no screenplay

What is film drama?