Pre-Production - Directing Talent

http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/3-directing-techniques-actors-can-use-look-brilliant/


This site will definitely help me. Communicating with actors is something i've never done. So We'll see!

Directing Technique #1: Before you roll camera on an actor, tell the actor that, for everything his or her character says, there are five other things his or her character could say but chooses not to say, and to play those five other things

Jay Dufeal done a great job in his monolougue in building a character that wasn't already build for him. I need my actors to fill in the blanks that I don't, to create an organic product.

Directing Technique #2: Before you roll camera on an actor, tell the actor that, right before the scene starts, and for the duration of the scene, his or her character is having a premonition of what will happen when the scene is over (the character will fall in love, or experience heartbreak, or get revenge, etc.

Interesting take. It's worth a look in and definitely going into my book for when I shoot.

Before you roll camera on an actor, tell the actor to imagine that the camera is someone standing across the street, observing his or her character during the scene, and that his or her character is aware of being observed but pretends not to notice

This will help in the context of my film definitely. Jimmy is becoming a ROADMAN and is constantly aware of people watching. He needs to feel like hes on the run somewhat, and if this mindset is instilled. He'll do just fine. 

Pre-Production - 12 Essential Screenwriting Tips

http://whatculture.com/film/12-essential-screenwriting-tips-for-aspiring-screenwriters.php

Another great article from WhatCulture. Let's Dive in.

12. Like A Movie? Read The Screenplay!

Breaking bad is one of my all time favourite series. Especially the first episode. I broke down the script into parts and saw how the screenwriteer introduced each character to perfection, and it really paid off in the visual.

11. Write Every Single Day

Definitely. At least a scene a day. It's always better to write than rewrite.

10. Write To Your Strengths

 I'm confident with the ROADMAN script so far. I'm not writing out of my means and I understand on a real level what is expected out of the characters.

9. Know Your Story

I know what I want from my characters and have a great profile behind them that I want them to follow. The story is pretty simple, and can be summed up in a paragraph or less. I like minimalism, and it shows in my script.

8. Every Scene Needs A Goal

I've tried to take this into consideration when writing my script. Every scene needs a pirpose otherwise whats the point in writing it in, its just words on the page. We need them words to be meaningful. Not just for word count. Every scene I have tries to progress the story as far as it can go without exposition.

7. Choose Your Protagonist

Jimmy. Without a doubt, hes the person that is followed throughout. His journey.

6. Write For An Actual Audience

People who understand the ROADMAN culture will be invested in this film no doubt. Its a powerful representation of the ROADMAN culture and without a doubt has an audience behind it. 

 

5. Keep ‘Em Guessing

 Trying not to give it all away at the wrong time is all down to pacing. I've tried to pace out my story the best way I can to ensure that I don't give it  all away way too earlier than i need to. When I do give it all away, it doesn't hang about, which is what I want. 

4. Axe The “Boring” Bits/Kill Your Darlings

 I did originally have Billy killed, but based on feedback, this just wasn't feasable. It would piss off my audience and I wouldn't want to do that.  Now the ending fits more with character goals and changes in character.

3. Have Something To Say

This plays alot into having meaningfull scenes. Words are just words unless you give them  meaning. Every scene is scripted tfor a purpose and helps progress the slow burn of the story.

2. Just Finish The Damn Thing

 haha. I got there in the end. 4th draft and all. It's always better to rewrite than write. I got something down on the page, and I follwoed it all the way through right to the end. And I'm happy.

1. Put Your Script On Ice For A Month

 I put this part down to feedback. Now I wait for Simon to mark it. Which is fine. It's my best work on the course and I hope it shows.

Pre Production - Billy Wilder Tips On Writing a Good Screenplay

http://www.openculture.com/2013/08/10-tips-from-billy-wilder-on-how-to-write-a-good-screenplay.html

Just like before, I'm going to fill this out as much as possible and answer the questions posed on these sites

1: The audience is fickle.

This is true, the audience changes their emotions all the time, so it's important to get them on the right side of what you want, so they're not confused later

2: Grab ’em by the throat and never let ’em go.

Develop an aim and don't let the audience go on it, be the driving machine you want to be to drive the script to success. 
 
3: Develop a clean line of action for your leading character.

Jimmy is essentially my main character. He has a clear aim, goal and issue. It's important I narrow this down so I don't confusee the audience.
 
4: Know where you’re going.

Knowing what I want to get out of the script is the most important part. I need to know where to take the story and if that will make it a better or worse script.

5: The more subtle and elegant you are in hiding your plot points, the better you are as a writer.

I'm still learning as a writer, but i'll try my best not to follow conventions to the T. I think i've done the best I can.

6: If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act.

Not really had an issue with the third act, I like to think my story in its current form is tight.
 
7: A tip from Lubitsch: Let the audience add up two plus two. They’ll love you forever.

EXPOSITION! Let the audience figure it out. So important when making a decent script.

8: In doing voice-overs, be careful not to describe what the audience already sees. Add to what they’re seeing.

This is true. Although no voice overs I can think of are in effect, it's a good tip to know for the future. 
 
9: The event that occurs at the second act curtain triggers the end of the movie.

In essence. The revealing of billys mugger was a big part in progressing the story, the ending wrote itself.

10: The third act must build, build, build in tempo and action until the last event, and then — that’s it. Don’t hang around.

I like to think my climax is as good as it can be. It doesn't hang about. It happens. The payoff is there and you can see the change in all characters involved.

Another great site to use when thinking about screenplays.

Pre-Production - 1st Script Breakdown

Here is my first confident script i have produced for my short film.  I have uploaded the file to ISSUU so you can scroll through as I am reading it. This is my first script i've done properly since the first year so I apologise for the rough around the edges feel to it. It is my first draft and I feel is a great starting point for the short film.

Firstly I made character profiles (as seen in my blog) and synopsis, following a three act structure, looked at some related materials, researched the backstory and scope of my project. Was a really simple transition from pre-writing into writing. I used my blog from my first year to help me understand the concept plus have various chats with tim to understand what we want out of the story.

Here's my full justification video on said script.