American Beauty (Part 2) — The Missing 27 Pages Notes 1/5 of script cut last week of editing describing whats in a characters head just because you write it in an action line its not always conveyed on screen
American Beauty – The Art of Character Notes Characters are variations of the Theme biggest mistake – hero and all others- weak characters and cardboard enemies Characters all compliment eachother subtext is important
The Dark Knight — Creating the Ultimate Antagonist Notes Protagonist only as good as the thing their fighting against Good at exploiting hero’s greatest weaknesses must be powerful pressure protagonist into difficult choices, deeper the pressure deeper the revelation competing for the same goal that the hero and opponent come into direct conflict protagonist has to grow from the antagonist
Script Tip: Creating An Unforgettable Protagonist Notes liability sympathy empathy rooted in hopes and fears well developed character flaws characters want to conceal flaws character bias no person is 10% good lengths willing to go to get objective large obstacles instills hope in the audience
Script Tip: Five Essential Elements Notes move story quickly genre intro main show world theme dramatic situation genre definition gives audience expectations (first scene) complex unique protagonist flawed as real life if not likable empathetic set it a unique world theme is general idea hint at your theme early dramatic situation is the essence of your story usually 5 components are covered in first scene
Screenplay Structure: Sequences Notes Self contained portion of story has own tension and begging middle and end 2 in act 1, 4 in act 2, and 2 in act 3 8 sequence standard length ownership tension and framework owned by one character tension is what investment audience has sequence smaller unit of story Notes first sequence most important need the grab attention if you don’t hook you’ll lose them entirely inciting incident and lock in establish tone early never shift tone unnecessarily deliver specific genre expectations – set up early and stay consistent protagonist intro essential status quo – day to day reality world – elements of environment micro environment with clearly defined rules Notes continue to flesh out status quo and world antaganist and friends predicament clarify objective lock them in to predicament inciting incident opens door to predicament raise stakes once predicament in introduced motivation influences audience attitude lock in pivotal moment cant return to status quo concludes with the lock in move forward to objective
Screenplay Structure: The Five Plot Points Notes Call, lock in, first act 2 midpoint, climax, 3 act twist set protagonist new path or change goal inciting incident – status quo broken, have not gone though “door” lock in – when protagonist cant return to the status quo, have no choice cant walk away Midpoint – success – small goal, fail – mirrors ending. climax – highest or lowest point third act twist – between climax and end, changes chars trajectory
Screenplay and Story Form Screenplay Form Writer is the director of the script David Mamet’s Three Magic Questions ….. Screenplay Format Pt 2 – Action Notes Action is what happens in each scene Brevity clarity – paint clearest possible picture creative – metaphors/fig speech paragraph breaks – use frequently, any time new idea, spacing for emphasis caps for emphasis – use sparingly, names key actions
Every Story is the Same Every Story is the Same Notes Stories have the same structure Story Circle an be used with any media Top half Ordinary World Bottom Special world All stories follow descent and return 1 comfort 2 want – something isn’t quite right 3 go 4 search – road of trials 5 find – meeting with goddess (goddess can be anything) 6 take heavy price – meet your maker, sacrifice 7 return – bringing it home, 8 change – master of both worlds, life wont be the same, comes out better circle can apply to anything in a story
What is Arch Plot and Classic Design? What is Arch Plot and Classic Design? by Ingrid Sundberg What is Arch Plot and Classic Design? Notes Throws characters life out of balance to achieve a goal May or may no achieve it 11 story selections 3 acts Act 1 – Ordinary World The Known The set-up The Status Quo Limited Awareness Act 2 – The call to adventure Inciting Incident