Step 1: Write the Rough Draft

Hello,

Hopefully, some of you will be able to find a little time over the break to work on your scripts.

HERE IS A LINK to the script formatting handout we reviewed in class. We're using the one column script format for this project. We also used this format for the 60-second film challenge.
Remember, the most important part of writing your rough draft is actually writing your rough draft. Don't worry about getting everything perfect. Just focus on getting the rough draft completed.

Please follow the typical 3 Act Structure as a general guideline when writing your script.

Act 1:

• The setting is established
• Main character(s) are introduced
• Main conflict is introduced (inciting incident)

Act 2:

• The dominant part of the film. The action, obstacles, challenges, or problems heighten leading to an eventual climax in Act 3

Act 3:

• The climax, resolution and closing action

A few tips to remember:

• Try to limit the number of characters. What does your main character want? What are their goals in the film? This should be very clear to the audience.
• Limit the number of locations. This will make it easier to film.
• Make every scene count. EVERY scene should have a distinct purpose: To move the plot forward, to reveal something about the characters, to help establish setting.
• Keep it simple. It's very important that you cut everything and everyone from your story that is not essential. Your story MUST be clear and understandable.

No More Videos

Hello,

I said I was going to post one last film today but I have run out of time. So you only have to watch the three films. Please bring your responses in tomorrow to the questions. We will get into groups tomorrow and start working on ways to adapt the stories into scripts for CAP Hollywood.

mrmayo

Questions Due Tuesday

Hello,

The questions for our Short Film Marathon are due Tuesday in class. I will post the final film Monday afternoon.

Short Film Marathon! Film #3

The Man at the Counter from Brian McAllister on Vimeo.

One thing many of you may want to do with your stories for CAP Hollywood is use narration (voice overs) in your films. This can be very helpful for a number of reasons. First, we do not have quality microphones that allow us to capture quality audio when filming. The audio is sufficient IF you have the camera close to the actors. But you may want to consider integrating narration (voice overs) throughout your film with actual dialogue from the actors. Second, narration can help fill in the gaps in your story if needed. Maybe if there's a flashback or if you need the audience to hear what one of the characters is actually thinking.

However, IF you decide to use narration (voice overs) and dialogue in your film it's very important that you carefully plan everything out beforehand. The narration should be carefully scripted along with any dialogue.

Questions:

1. Why do you think the filmmaker uses mainly narration (voice over) in this film? Do you think this is a good choice? Please explain.
2. Pacing and tempo is very important in film, especially short films. Just because it's a short film doesn't mean it has to feel rushed. The BIGGEST CHALLENGE for our CAP Hollywood project is making sure your story is clear and understandable. Write a short summary of this short film. Describe the beginning, the middle, and the end, focusing on some of the major events or scenes that move the story along.

Short Film Marathon! Film #2

I recommend watching this film twice before answering the questions. It's only 2:30 minutes. 

Two Questions:

1. Why does the filmmaker increase the sound when the man is eating the Snickers candy bar? What does this symbolize in the film?
2. Why does the filmmaker have a distinct sound effect for every time the character puts his hand through the black hole? It's like the black hole has it's own sound effect. What's the purpose of this?

Please answer each question with a thoughtful response. Your answers don't have to be very long. However, you need to clearly state an idea or original thought in response to each question. Your response should be a few sentences at a bare minimum. 

Short Film Marathon! Film #1

As we gear up for our CAP Hollywood project I am starting a one week homework assignment called the Short Film Marathon. Each day, for the next week, I will be posting a short film on this blog with one or two corresponding questions. You will be responsible for watching each film and answering the questions that I post. At the end of our Short Film Marathon everyone will turn in their responses to the questions pertaining to each film. These questions will be due next Tuesday, March 19th, at the start of class. Please type out your responses to all the questions on one document. 

I know everyone is very busy this week with Foreign Policy Congress. It should take no more than 15 to 20 minutes each night this week to complete this homework. I will post 5 to 6 different films over the course of this week. Here's the first film:

FILM #1: Hunting

Hunting from Nic Weinfeld on Vimeo.

Question:

1. One common quality of many successful short films is that the main character often has an identifiable moment in the film where they change. This moment often forces the character to take some sort of action, or come to an important realization or insight as a result of their circumstances.
   
   Identify the scene in this film where the main character clearly changes as a result of what they are experiencing. Briefly describe the scene and identify the cinematic, dramatic, and literary aspects the filmmaker uses to make this scene so effective. 

**By the way, all documentaries must be completed and exported by this Thursday! I only had one student who came in during lunch today and two groups today after school. I hope to see more of you tomorrow and Wednesday!

Homework!

Hello,

The DOCUMENTARY REFLECTION ESSAY is due Monday at the start of class. We are all meeting in the library first thing Monday morning to start Foreign Policy Congress. So everyone will turn their essays in when we are in the library first thing Monday morning.

There is a blog post due each week for the remainder of the quarter. Here are the exact dates:

• March 9th and March 16th

You can post your documentary reflection as your blog post this week if you'd like. However, you still need to print it out and bring it in Monday morning to turn in. 

Here is a link to the documentary reflection assignment in case you lost the handout.