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.

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!