Tv dramas, sitcoms, friends, eastenders, grange hill.
Works well in short films of 10-15mins
Normally equal length and fall in between 2 acts
1st 2-3mins will be the hook (moment of intrest) in the first 2-3 pages. Main story established early. Hook and problem usually the same/main problem. Its what the episode is about. Giving it a target point.
End Act 1 - obvious climax (somethings going to happen)
Start Act 2 - continue to build action until you reach moment of truth (big decision made/obstacle tackled) about halfway through. The rest builds the climax and brief resolution.
Multi-plotting
Occur in continuing series e.g eastenders, neighbours, friends
In each series have different storylines.
Majority of multi-plotting have a 3 act structure. (Set-up/development/conclusion) The acts can be spread through a whole series or a number of seasons.
3 act storyline can be played out in 2 act episode.
Plot variations
Witness - linear plot. Plot in different forms
Nothing is arbitrary (has a point to it) but builds to the final climax.
Plot variations - pulp fiction, inception, resrvoir dogs, 24, spaced
Any drama when character is remembering events from the pastwill often have a plot that shifts in time e.g forrest gump of the wonder years.
Will still be build around 3 act structure.
Berlin wall - paul cotter
The old man, grieving over his wife. Builds wall, never talks. Wall at end in memory of him and her together in the past.
Short structure
Up to 15mins
Hard to write 3 act structure. Usually written in 2 acts.
Can be less than 10mins. 5mins or 30secs.
Twist in the tail.
One line gag
Reveal
Must tell a story. Every scene must count.
Scenes and sequences
After Ideas, story, character, theme and structure - last is scenes and sequences
Scenes - individual incidents
Something specific happens. A place to tell your story, setting for dramatic conflict.
When the character walks through a different setting the scene changes.
Scenes move the story forward. Exactly the right amount of scenes to tell the story.
Should have an opening and ending.
Enter a scene as late as possible in a story and leave as early as possible. Keep the audience engaged in the story. Tell where you can start the story from. Give the right information.
Ask! - what is the purpose? what they (character) want from the scene? What can stop them?
Every scene has the 'business' on show. What the characters are saying and doing.
Subtext/off the nose - Reveals what a character thinks but not says.
On the nose - character says what is happening in a scene or what he thinks or feels or what he'll do.
Show dont tell - show through visual images not dialogue. Tell the story through the scenes.
Tip - if you can understand the film without reading the scene, take it out!
Can be short or as long as it needs to be. Usually not longer than 3 mins.
Sequences - Arrangements of scenes into meaningful clusters of development
Dramatic sequence - beg mid end
Characters have a specific goal each but lead to a main goal.
If Structure is spine of screenplay, the sequences are the rest of the skeleton.
Think of describing sequences in one word.
Bridging
End - best way to learn is to keep writing. Always write from the heart. Use your own experience.
Other notes -
Without a box - film festival site to upload films.
Simon ellis (short films)
Scriptorama.com - free scripts online
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