Worldwide Samoan Community Online
BEGINNING, MIDDLE & END.
Talofa Writers!
Thought I'd go over the process of starting your screenplay(s).
1). A storyline.
2). Believeable characters.
3). Dialogue.
4). Beginning, middle & end.
A lot of folks jot down notes (and may even end up with a bunch of cumpled papers, which only they can deciper), while others start a process called "storyboarding."
Storyboarding is when you have written your scenes down, including characters with dialogue, on let's say a 3X5 index card. Once you get a bunch of these, you can plan out your screenplay. The idea is to lay your index cards down in the sequence you want these scenes to appear in your movie. This way, if you don't like a certain scene, you can either move it, replace it, or simply take it out. In the day, writers used to set the index cards down on a huge board or panel, thus the term "storyboarding."
Here's your chance to work out the screenplay you want to write. We're going to start with a short script, let's say a five page script, considering a full-length screenplay is normally 120 pages long (which is estimated at 1 minute a page), so the actual movie will be about 2 hrs.
So, here is your task. Write a short script using the "storyboard" method. Write a mininum of 3 pages, maximum of 5 pages.
The format for writing a script is called a "Master screenplay." Or, so that's what it was called when I started writing. Nowadays, they have so many programs you can download. Anyway, the master screenplay looks somewhat like this:
FADE IN.
EXT. CEMETARY - DAY
A WOMAN clad in black, stands over the coffin weeping uncontrollably.
WOMAN
Why did you leave me? What am I
going to do now?
She reaches out to touch the casket but the weight of her despair is too much. She drops to her knees.
****EXT. (is abbrev for Exterior which means just that, outside or outdoors).
INT. (abbrev for Interior, inside or indoors).
Following the directions, you must state where the scene is taking place and if it is day or night.
After the directions, scene, and time...you will either have your character's dialogue or a description of what is going on.
Remember, a script is going to be a movie. So you will write as if you are watching a scene, not reading it.
So, that everyone will be working together on this, I'm even going to give you the subject matter.
Estranged brothers meet up at their father's funeral and learn some disturbing news regarding his life.
Now, it's up to you start creating. Title your work this time.
Write On!
Tau
Thought I'd go over the process of starting your screenplay(s).
1). A storyline.
2). Believeable characters.
3). Dialogue.
4). Beginning, middle & end.
A lot of folks jot down notes (and may even end up with a bunch of cumpled papers, which only they can deciper), while others start a process called "storyboarding."
Storyboarding is when you have written your scenes down, including characters with dialogue, on let's say a 3X5 index card. Once you get a bunch of these, you can plan out your screenplay. The idea is to lay your index cards down in the sequence you want these scenes to appear in your movie. This way, if you don't like a certain scene, you can either move it, replace it, or simply take it out. In the day, writers used to set the index cards down on a huge board or panel, thus the term "storyboarding."
Here's your chance to work out the screenplay you want to write. We're going to start with a short script, let's say a five page script, considering a full-length screenplay is normally 120 pages long (which is estimated at 1 minute a page), so the actual movie will be about 2 hrs.
So, here is your task. Write a short script using the "storyboard" method. Write a mininum of 3 pages, maximum of 5 pages.
The format for writing a script is called a "Master screenplay." Or, so that's what it was called when I started writing. Nowadays, they have so many programs you can download. Anyway, the master screenplay looks somewhat like this:
FADE IN.
EXT. CEMETARY - DAY
A WOMAN clad in black, stands over the coffin weeping uncontrollably.
WOMAN
Why did you leave me? What am I
going to do now?
She reaches out to touch the casket but the weight of her despair is too much. She drops to her knees.
****EXT. (is abbrev for Exterior which means just that, outside or outdoors).
INT. (abbrev for Interior, inside or indoors).
Following the directions, you must state where the scene is taking place and if it is day or night.
After the directions, scene, and time...you will either have your character's dialogue or a description of what is going on.
Remember, a script is going to be a movie. So you will write as if you are watching a scene, not reading it.
So, that everyone will be working together on this, I'm even going to give you the subject matter.
Estranged brothers meet up at their father's funeral and learn some disturbing news regarding his life.
Now, it's up to you start creating. Title your work this time.
Write On!
Tau
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tau on -
Talofa,
Good question--funny, but good. "Fade In" is a term used in the beginning of the script. It denotes the first scene of your script. Yes, there is a "Fade Out." That denotes the ending of your script. Some writers tend to write "Fade to black," but for the most part it's "Fade Out." This is a telling sign to the director where your story begins and where it ends.
Hope that helps. If you have more questions...I'm here to answer them if I can.
Write On!
Tau -
-
Permalink Reply by Tau on
-
Yes, I get what you mean...it's kind of overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it.
The added descriptives, directives, are used as a guide for the director. Although it's your story, your words...ultimately, he/she will be directing the film and your screenplay is the manual he will be using.
The better your descriptives, directives...the smoother your script will flow and whoever is blessed to direct the movie, will thank you for it!
Write On!
Tau -
-
Permalink Reply by e-dog on -
This sounds like fun- let's do this. Is there a set amount of estranged brother's? Thanks.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Tau on
-
Talofa,
You know, I was thinking more like two...but guess you can have as many bros as you want, as long as it doesn't clutter your story. You see, the more characters you have, you will need their side of the story as well. So, for example, you have five brothers...you'll have to five point of views, one from each bro...does that make sense?
It's your story...
Write On!
Tau -
-
Permalink Reply by e-dog on
-
Yes, I found this out when I tried to incorporate four brothers! Uh, too much to think and write about. Two will work for me, thanks.
-
-
Permalink Reply by e-dog on
-
Hey Tau. I'm trying to think of a story, but I'll try to focus on just these first 3 or five minutes. This is NOT easy. Talk to you laters, Edgar.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Tau on
-
Talofa Edgar,
Sometimes, you just have to let the story come to you. If we think too much about the storyline, it gets away from us. You can get a smidgen of an idea by reading the newspaper, people watching, your own life experience, or...this is bad, but...eavesdropping. The latter helped me with an idea for a script about a rapper who was forced to sing country songs or she'd lose her contract with her record company.
Write On!
Tau -
-
Permalink Reply by e-dog on
-
This may sound dumb , but you want the name of our scene(s)/ screenplay? Oh and should we submit them via email? Thanks Tau! and Thank you very much for the card!
-
-
Permalink Reply by Tau on
-
Talofa,
If your short script is ready, yes...please send me your work via email as an attachment. You may send to: oliveskids@msn.com
Thanks and...
Write On! -
-
Permalink Reply by e-dog on
-
I have tried to write on them cards but always finding myself needing more room! I went back to the good ol' notebook!
-
-
Permalink Reply by Tau on
-
Talofa Writers...
I'd like some feeback on this discussion. How many of you wish to make each segment separate? Beginning by itself, Middle on its own and finally End. Please respond on this discussion board. Depending how many responses I get...I'll change the format.
You don't how much I want y'all to write one of your own scripts!
Write On!
Tau -
Native NewsWatch
Discussion Forum
Character Exercise
Started by Hamo Geek Girl. Last reply by Lani Wendt Young Jul 15, 2011. 19 Replies 0 Likes
Logline
Started by Tau. Last reply by e-dog May 25, 2011. 14 Replies 0 Likes
Chain Stories
Started by Jodatoa. Last reply by Pacificpearl Mar 4, 2010. 13 Replies 0 Likes
BEGINNING, MIDDLE & END.
Started by Tau. Last reply by Tau Sep 11, 2009. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Birthdays
Birthdays Today
Birthdays Tomorrow
© 2012 Manaui Media: Samoa mo Samoa
