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Part 6: Short Screenplay Writing

1) It discusses developing a central protagonist and an inciting incident or turning point that creates narrative tension. An antagonist should also be identified to oppose the protagonist. 2) It recommends choosing a point of view for the story and finding a theme to unite the characters and emotions. Establishing a theme provides dramatic unity. 3) Lastly, it suggests deciding on a style like naturalism or surrealism and using techniques like shots and editing to set the tone and engage audiences emotionally. The screenplay establishes the tone for others to achieve.

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jonesy123
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102 views

Part 6: Short Screenplay Writing

1) It discusses developing a central protagonist and an inciting incident or turning point that creates narrative tension. An antagonist should also be identified to oppose the protagonist. 2) It recommends choosing a point of view for the story and finding a theme to unite the characters and emotions. Establishing a theme provides dramatic unity. 3) Lastly, it suggests deciding on a style like naturalism or surrealism and using techniques like shots and editing to set the tone and engage audiences emotionally. The screenplay establishes the tone for others to achieve.

Uploaded by

jonesy123
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Part 6: Short Screenplay Writing

Protagonist 1&2
Firstly, you must decide on a central character. This character is of great importance as they usually drive the narrative, even if they are not the ones telling it. Next you must think about what action takes place within your film. The action is what you are asking the audience to follow, or be interested in. Therefore, you must make an incident that will create the basis of a climax, or narrative action. This could be a turning point in the characters life, for example. You must then find your characters opposition, as knowing why a character cannot, or will not, do something is key to developing a story-driven narrative. (Multiple-antagonist scenarios creates narrative problems in a film shorter than ten minutes, so should be stayed away from).

Point of view & Theme


You must decide on whos point of view the audience are shown the story from. The use of narrators, and narration, is useful, as you should find a way of addressing the scale of a characters motivation in the film, and background story, in a small amount of time. Next a theme must be found. What is the film about? You need to discover what unites all these characters and the major emotion running through the film. Finding the theme gives the film a dramatic unity, which can relate to the audiences emotion.

Style & Tone


Lastly, you should decide on a style for your film-Naturalism dominates the short form, although surrealism, and the expressionist point-of-view can be seen in others. Finding a style helps keep a visually coherent narrative. However, it is the tone that engages with the audiences emotions. Style and tone can be created, and conveyed, using different camera shots, mise-en-scene, and editing styles. For example, POV shots, mixed with expressionist camerawork, helps represent the powerlessness of the central character in Yellow and The Curious. Tone is majorly captured, however, in the actors performances, and direction. But the screenplay holds the tone, for the director, actors, and cinematographer to find.

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