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A B O U T S C R EEN W R ITIN G
By Sukriti Bajaj
IN TR O D U C TIO N
Introduction
Screenwriting is a craft that occasionally rises
Introduction
If it works, use it & if it doesnt, dont.
Discipline: Find the best time of day or
W R ITER S A R E N O T EX A C TLY
P EO P LE ... TH EY A R E A W H O LE
B U N C H O F P EO P LE TR Y IN G TO B E
O
P ER
SO N .
ByNF.E
Scott
Fitzerald
O V ER V IEW
O verview
GETTING STARTED
The idea.
Structure.
CREATING CHARACTERS
WRITING SCREENPLAY
REWRITING SCREENPLAY
Part 1:
G ETTIN G S TA R TED
Structure.
Structure
together.
whole.
Structure:The Paradigm
A model created to be an instructional tool.
Essential tool in understanding the
dramatic action.
1 Page of Screenplay is ~ 1 minute screen
time.
Structure:The Paradigm
Structure:The Paradigm
Context is a Space.
Content Changes.
Structure:The Paradigm
THE SET-UP:
Establish Dramatic Premise.
Establish Characters.
Establish the Situations
Establish the Relationships between
Characters
Structure:The Paradigm
CONFRONTATION:
Character must encounter obstacles
Structure:The Paradigm
RESOLUTION:
What is the solution of your story? Does
script.
Structure:The Paradigm
PLOT POINT:
Incident, Episode or Event that Hooks
Structure:The Paradigm
Four Elements you must know:
Beginning
End
Plot Point 1
Plot Point 2
Activity:1
Create the Subject of your Screenplay.
Who is the main character?
What is your story about?
Structure the Subject on Paradigm.
Activity:2
Four things you know:
The Ending
The Beginning
Plot Point 1
Plot Point 2
Activity:2
Write a 4 page Treatment. (Narrative Synopsis
in a dramatic narration.
In Page: Summarize the action of Act 3, the
Resolution.
In Page: Write the end scene or sequence in
dramatic narration.
narration.
In Page: Summarize the action that occurs in Act 1.
In Page: Write the Plot Point 1 in a dramatic narrative.
In 1 Page: List four obstacles in Act 2.
In Page: Write the Plot Point 2 in a dramatic narration.
In Page: Summarize the action of Act 3.
In Page: Ending scene or sequence in dramatic narration.
Part 2:
C R EATIN G C H A R A C TER S
Creating Character
What is Character but the
Determination of Incident.
of Character.
Creating Character
Incident is the Key.
What is the incident that drives your
Creating Character
What makes good Character?
Dramatic Need
Point of View
Attitude
Change
Point O fView
Film is Behavior
What does your Character think?
What is your Characters Point of
Attitude
A manner or opinion.
Character can show Attitude (manner) or
Change
Does your Character Change during
Character Growth
Creating Character
Tools of Creating Character?
Character Biography
Research
Life of Character
The Circle of Being
Character Biography
Research
Live Research: You find a person &
Life ofCharacter
Professional Life:
What does he/ she do for a living?
What kind of relationship with his/ her boss?
What kind of relationship with co-workers?
Personal Life:
Is he/ she in a relationship?
Private Life:
What does he/ she do when alone?
abuse, etc.
Determination of Incident.
of Character.
abuse, etc.
Activity:1
Pages or more.
Activity:1 (Biography)
Determine your Character.
Name?
Where was he or she born?
How old?
What does father do for a living?
What kind of childhood?
Any brothers or sisters?
Activity:1 (Biography)
Develop Characters first 10 years
Activity:1 (Biography)
Develop Characters second 10 years (10-20 years
old)
Like school?
Relationship with teachers?
Clubs she belong too?
High school?
Friends?
First love affair?
Active in sports?
Dreams of college?
Major?
Activity:1 (Biography)
Develop Characters third 10 years
reality?
Activity:1 (Biography)
Let your Character tell you who he or she
is?
Give your Character a voice
Character Biography
Characters Grandparents
Characters Parents
Past Lives
Astrological Breakdown
Activity:2
Write short essays on your
Characters:
Professional Life
Personal Life
Private Life
Activity:3
Activity:4
Define Characters:
Dramatic Need
Point of View
Attitude
Change
Part 3:
Preparing Act 1
Act 1 is a unit of dramatic action.
Structure Act 1 on (14) 3*5 cards.
Each card represents a scene or sequence in
the Screenplay.
Write opening sequence/ scene in 5 words or
less.
Write Plot Point 1 in other card.
Now prepare rest 12 cards.
Preparing Act 1
Back Story:
What happens to your main
Preparing Act 1
When you are doing the cards: You
Activity:1 (Biography)
Structure Act 1 on (14) 3*5 cards.
two).
W riting Screenplay
Screenplay needs to be written in the standard
Final Draft.
Screenplay Grammar:
Shot What the camera sees.
Scene The unit or cell of dramatic action.
Sequence A series of scenes, connected by one
W riting Act 1
Opening Scene or Sequence. (first 10 pages)
A unit of dramatic action :
o Action driven?
o Character driven?
The main Characters Point of View.
The main & the reader/ viewer are united.
Because both see the things at the same time.
W riting Act 1
Establish :
1. Who is your main character?
(Who is the story about?
2. What is the dramatic premise of your story?
(What is your story about?)
3. What is the dramatic situation?
(Circumstances surrounding the action)
These three threads of storyline are called inciding
incidents
W riting Act 1
Follow the Focus of your main
scenes)
Plot Point 1 is the true beginning of
your story
Activity:1
Design & write the first 10 pages of
Activity:2
Design & write the second 10 pages
Character.
Activity:3
W riting Act 2
60 pages unit of Dramatic Action.
Begins at end of Plot Point 1.
Continues until end of Plot Point 2.
Held together with: Confrontation.
W riting Act 2
All drama is Conflict.
Without Conflict you have no Character.
Without Character you have no Action.
Without Action you have no Story.
Without Story you have no Screenplay.
W riting Act 2
Enter the action by defining Dramatic Need.
Mid Point:
Occurs around page 60.
Breaks Act 2 into two units of dramatic action.
o First Half of Act 2
o Second Half of Act 2
Links the First Half of Act 2 with Second Half of
Act 2.
Link in the change of Dramatic Action.
W riting Act 2
W riting Act 2
Structure: To Structure Act 2.
One major sequence in the First
Half of Act 2.
One major sequence in the Second
Half of Act 2.
W riting Act 2
Sequence:
A series of scenes connected by
W riting Act 2
Pinch:
A sequence that keeps the action
W riting Act 2
With reference to film Titanic.
Plot Point 1: Jack saves Roses Life.
First Half of Act 2: Jack & Rose Relationship.
Pinch 1: Jack has dinner with Rose & others.
Mid Point: They make love in the car.
Second Half of Act 2: Their attempts to get life
boat.
Pinch 2: Rose rescues Jack.
Plot Point 2: Rose leaves lifeboat for Jack
Activity:1
Things you know:
The Ending
The Beginning
Plot Point 1
Plot Point 2
Determine the Midpoint. Establish Mid Point.
Determine the Sub-dramatic Context of the First Half
of Act 2.
Determine Pinch 1.
Activity:1
Things you know:
Mid Point
Plot Point 2
Determine the Sub-dramatic Context
Activity:2
The essence of Act 2 is Conflict.
Layout the (14) 5*3 cards for the First Half
of Act 2.
In free association.
Find Pinch 1 (card 7).
Write the First Half of Act 2 leading to Mid
Point.
30 page unit of dramatic action.
Activity:2
The essence of Act 2 is Conflict.
Layout the (14) 5*3 cards for the Second
Half of Act 2.
In free association.
Find Pinch 2 (card 7).
Write the Second Half of Act 2 through
Mid Point.
30 page unit of dramatic action.
Activity:1 & 2
Determine Mid Point.
Determine Sub-dramatic context in First Half of Act 2.
Determine Pinch 1.
Structure First Half on (14) 5*3 cards.
Write First Half of Act 2.
Determine Sub-dramatic context in Second Half of
Act 2.
Determine Pinch 2.
Structure Second Half on (14) 5*3 cards.
Write Second Half of Act 2.
W riting Act 3
Resolution means Solution.
Write down the one or two items that are
W riting Act 3
Just let it go.
Then ask
How would you like your story to
end?
Activity:1
Write down the one or two items that
per scene).
Determine whether your ending
Part 4:
end up doing?
3. What do you have to do, to change what
you did do, into what you originally wanted
to do?
Intention must be equal to result.
of each.
Rewriting one unit at a time & one section at a time
Rewriting words-on-paper draft will take 3-6 weeks.
Rewrite Act 1
Rewrite 1st Half of Act 2
Rewrite 2nd Half of Act 2
Rewrite Act 3
Activity:1
Rewrite Act 1
As a unit of dramatic action.
Make notes in margin of pages as
you read.
Rewrite Act Two 1st Half
Make notes in margin of pages as
you read.
Check your structure.
Activity:1
Rewrite Act Two 2nd Half
Check your structure.
Change & modify where necessary.
Rewrite Act 3
Smooth the rough edges.
Keep the story line moving forward.
From beginning to end.
YO U FA IL O N LY IF YO U
S TO P W R ITIN G .
By Ray Bradbury
TH A N K YO U !