I hit a speedbump. Hopefully I can use this site to jog my brain into writing the best screenplay I can. I'm going through the list one by one to break down the most useful information.
Say all of your dialogue aloud to make sure it works and each character is distinguishable.
Okay. this helps somewhat. In my first draft simon couldn't distinguish who was who. So i've ensured that I speak out loud or in my head to ensure there is a difference in character and its not confusing who is who.
If you're stuck on a scene, close your eyes, open a completely new
document, and begin free associating without thinking about the words
you are typing
I actually tried this when I was thinking about the underpass scene. Imagine what I would do in that situation. Relating this back to steve coombes. It's always better to rewrite than write. As long as ive got something on the page I'm good. And I can work with it.
Start writing and reward yourself with snacks after a set period of time.
I sure do like food. Food is a good inscentive. I like to set myself deadlines in terms of what I want to achieve. Complete scenes one by one, eventually. I pumped out a draft within a day. Madness!
Set a deadline.
This was very helpful for me. If i managed to pump out a scene in an hour. I can work with it, decide what I actually want to get out of the scene instead of putting it in just because. Every scene has a revelant role to progress the plot, and I need to make sure I follow this.
Create an argument between characters if a scene feels flat and contains a lot of exposition.
This one got me hard. It was the biggest feedback flaw with my script. WAAAAAY to much exposition. It's hard to progress the story without it sometimes. Giving too much away to the audience is never good. So I toned it back, placed the exposition into the argument.
Get up out of your chair and go do anything else and come back to it.
Procrastination actually helps. Sometimes I'll actually be at the studios then BANG. Idea for a story comes to my head. writing it down.
Instead of watching a movie, listen to it.
Don't follow this.
Transcribe a few well-written screenplays to get a feel for the
writing if you are struggling. It's a technique F. Scott Fitzgerald used
with Charles Dickens novels
Never liked books. I tried this in the first year, but the screenplay was way too novelistic, I think I'll stick to screenplays for inspiration. A big one I followed was breaking bad. its gritty as hell, and I love it. Great descriptions and the series does speak for itself.
Write one page per day and after four months you've written an entire feature film.
Not relevant for me. Writing a short.
Altered states can help free your mind. If you're the clean-living,
non-alcoholic type, going for a run or meditating can produce the same
effect.
Again, as Simon once told me, you cant just sit down and write, it needs to be an indepth process. I like to go out and run. See the outside. It helps me focus.
Unplug your internet.
HELL NO.
Do anything that makes you extremely uncomfortable, like taking your
laptop into the freezing cold or writing immediately when you wake up
without doing anything else.
Links into my running.
If you already know how it's going to end, don't finish a scene from
the night before so that you can get your creativity flowing the next
day and push right into the next scene.
This is actually quite helpful. I like to smash a script out. I hate waiting, even though its a process that takes a long time, it's not something that I like to ponder on, once its done I can rewrite (Steve Coombes)
Make a collage of photos that relate to your story or resonate with you in some way.
This is a great tip. I like to watch videos on SBTV for inspiration. (SBTV is very ROADMAN related
)
The video fits the ROADMAN gimmick perfectly.
Put your script away and don't read it for two weeks after finishing the first draft.
Don't have the time! I wish!
If you're having trouble envisioning a character, imagine a famous actor in the role and write for that person.
This is sort of helpful, I like to picture maybe one of the guys from TOP BOY in my guys position. it helps.
Adopt a different writing persona by pretending you are someone else
while writing. This will help you approach problems in a different way
than you yourself normally would.
This sort of resonates, I do find it hard to mark my own work, or act lik its not my work, because it is, I'll always have the mental block.
Anyway, that's 17 tips to get out of my screenplay, I think I did well! Hopefully this helps in the future.
Ronan Bennett wrote the classic TOP BOY, a somewhat inspiration from my ROADMAN film. Everything is in this column that I can build my characters off. the first paragraph is great. Nathan is 19. He's mixed race, tall, slim and fit. He has a No 1 haircut
and is dressed in a T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and trainers. He has a
silver chain round his neck. His mobile rings. He speaks quickly: "Four
on four, cuz, yeah… Wait a second." He asks how much longer we're going
to be. Maybe another 30 minutes. We're sitting at a table outside a café
on Mare Street, next to Hackney Town Hall. I sip my drink. "Thirty
minutes," he says and ends the call. He looks at me, a slow look,
unemphatic. "Customer." What's four on four, I ask. "He wants four
10-bags of dubs and four 10-bags of B." Dubs? B? "Dubs are white drugs –
crack and cocaine. B is brown, obviously, heroin." Nat is a drug
dealer. He never refers to his merchandise as drugs. He calls it food.
Slang. Dress Code, Age, Origin. It's all there. Ronan did a great job in going to and finding real storyes to help write Top Boy.
Another thing I picked up on was making sure i write the best script I
can, based on research and justifications Ive found while researching.
Convieniently, some of the guys on my course have made a short on this
exact topic for TVPLAY, called 'five tips on writing a screenplay' -link
below- a somewhat comical video from script writer Steve Coombes. On
reviewing the video I made notes on waht I think will help me with my
film, direct from a credible source.
The
first point being 'Show me don't tell me'. Even though exposition can
be useful, its not always idea, i definitely have to show the audience
exactly what the characters are thinking, it helps to build the tension
and thats exactly what I want to achieve.
'Its
easier to rewrite than write' its always easier rewriting something
than writing something entirely different to fill time and space. I
think this would help as i have thought of a fractured narrative that I
could play with to get maybe a different type of atmosphere. However, if
I finish the current draft and rewrite it to incorperate it. Also it
gives me a chance to get an understanding from simon if I'm going in the
right direction.
Both four and five also
link in. Having moments in my script. There are moments of tension,
questioning characters and of course the big climax, so I sort of
already fufilled this tip.
In my script, I want to hit home the realism aspect of my script. I want it to feel real, the characters you are portraying are a real life interpretation of an urban life. I find it the utmost importance to achieve this. I've researched into the ROADMAN. A subculture in britain that is thriving.
Definition of a roadman, based on the 'trustworthy' urbandictionary
Roadman comes from the 21st century slang word, describing a boy
(normally at a teenage age) as someone who thoroughly knows the ins and
outs of his area, and the people in the area - he will also be involved
in popular events such as trapping, driving (cruising), parties etc.
Or another great one
typical teenage boys who drop out of school and instead do these things:
Smokes weed
wears tracksuit bottoms with bomber jacket
rides around the area on bikes
commit crimes (robbery in particular)
shows aggressive and intimidating behavior
lives on benefits
acts tough/ hard *slang for tough*
Chill in shady areas on in front of fast food restaurants
*note if you want to be a roadman you must do most/all of the things above*
Although this is a parody and very overblown, this can be a likely source of the roadman culture!
Relating this back to the script, we can build up a schematic if you like around what a roadman is, and build out characters around this life.
Another point is slang. Slang plays a massive part in the roadman lifestyle. Communication is key if we are going to pull off. 'Cuz, bruv, man' buzz words like this is what they refer to each other as.
The grime scene is also full of the 'ROADMAN' culture. Hoodies, drugs, darker ethnicity, standard car park, rapping. its all here!
So now we have an idea of what to expect in terms of speech, dress code. We can start to build our scriptwriting.
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.
Now, this is interesting, I never intended to write this blog, but people need to see my reasoning for my developmental journal, I don't want to have a secondary source in why Jimmy is based off of. Jimmy is based on a primary character in my life and it makes sense if I write this. I shall leave this person unnamed as I don't want any implications but it was someone that was a close acquaintance of me throughout my life.
After I went out with some friends I found out through the grapevine that one of my older acquiescence had been arrested for drugs. This person had begun their downward spiral ever since attending their first year of University. The drug and party culture of new had somehow gotten too much for him. I instantly messaged when I got home to find out what has been going on. Firstly, maybe they was caught just being high or under the influence or with a pill that they intended to pop. I was so wrong. They were busted because they were trying to distribute drugs. Not just taking, but distributing of ecstasy, a class A drug in the UK.
He was reluctant to talk to me but rang me up and told me. I never intended to find out but I never wanted to see 'x' person fall to this low, we are better than this as people. He said he bought pills in at £2 a pop, and never owed anything ever, always outright, and would go and make upwards of 400 pounds a night, mostly being invested back into get more.
After a lengthy chat and discovering they turned their family home and halls inside out to find more, they did. hes being charged with possession with intent to distribute a class A drug and has been bailed. I just kept wondering, what made them do this? They were very naive about the whole situation, somewhat not understanding the concept of reality. It was 'I needed money for Uni', ' I needed to fund my international festival trip', 'You don't understand what its like to make 400 a night with no repercussions'. It was all a bit joke, and that hurt me. I work upwards of 12 hour shifts at McDonald to ensure I have enough money to get by, if I don't have the money, I cut what im doing or work more? Apparently the Job they were doing didn't make enough money for him to go out. BULLSHIT. You earn an honest living even if it is at McDonald, you never stoop that low. What if someone died whilst on his gear? Just because retail didn't make you enough money? The answers were insulting.
It was hard to me to interview this character, as it was too close to home. That's where I got the inspiration for Road man. It doesn't matter who is out there, someone cares about you, someone doesn't want you to fall, there is always an option than the dark road. And some people need to believe that.
A big topic in this skillset meeting was directorial style and approach. A big help I find is that looking at films i like what would I do different in regards to what they did (close ups, handheld, wide shot etcetc)
I need to create a mood board that will complement my style, which would then be included into a directors statement for the end product. Based on feedback in the meeting, I need a clear vision of everything to do with the vision of the end product, nothing can be arbitrary.
I need an indepth research of directors and directing as an art form.
Something else I am worried about is working with people I don't know. Ive always used people I am affiliated with and if they would understand my vision and what not. I need to be professional and have the answer to any question that might come up, to ensure ive planned every outcome and professional as posible.
Also as a side note, don't hire dicks, as they will more than likely make the shoots difficult.
A huge tip I picked up from simon is to know my script so i dont need to look at it whatsoever, keep blocking the scene in my head, ensuring I know my plan inside and out.
On a side note, maybe being an assisstant director on another shoot? Would make for a great blog.
As I had my first screenwriting skill-set and i did take notes in regards to progression and how I move forward in my project and progression as a screenwriter. My main issue was that it was I have to write in regards to what I can afford to shoot in a way. There's no point in writing in high profile explosions when Im on a shoestring budget, as its not achievable in the slightest. Writing a realistic script instead of a hypothetical production script means these things have to be taken into careful consideration.
Another Key note i picked up on was Lex mentioning about making sure the blind audience understand what on earth is going on. It may seem silly, but nobody apart from me knows whats going on in my head, so therefore, I need to connote more to make sure that the audience reading my script or watching my film understand my internal methodology and how the story will be told. It may be simple to understand in text, but execution is completely different.
I found a great diagram that will re-teach the old screenwriting ways.
Found this at https://www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/
I found a great diagram that will re-teach the old screenwriting ways. Its very helpful because I haven't touched final draft in nearly two years, and this basic diagram where everything goes has really helped me get back into things. I know its not a lot, but it helps.
Character names, dialog, voice overs, it all helps towards my final grade and I want it to be the best it can be.
Underneath Vinters Park Community Center is a great little underpass. My friend Lex reccomended it after I said I wanted an underpass location. Its a short walk from the studios so can easily be shot and reached for convienience. Its got a light system on it but I'm not entirely sure if that works as we looked at it during the day. No big deal if it doesn't. It's covered in graffitti and looks the part basically. Tim took out his canon and got a few snaps. So many shots and angles could be covered in this location and I really like this location. Its in a quiet residential area so we need to make sure that we don't affect them but it is public right of access as it is an underpass. That being said, we're going to the Kent film office with all of our potential filming locations anyway. Heres a short gallery
Now we can't be pleased first time, so its a good idea to look elsewhere. I was going to eat a cheeky nandos with my girlfriend at the newly refurbished Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre and noticed an underpass which looks creepy. I took some photos with my Xperia Z3 as a reference. Now I didn't go up to it but the gate was shut. No idea if it does open or not. More to this when I visit hempstead valley again.
Here is mine and Tims greenlight presentation. We used a promo poster and our production company name as the title, kind of gives the viewer in insight into what is going on.
This greenlight presentation I wanted to fit the feel and you to get the jist of the overview of the project. Both me and Tim collaberated on it, and I personally think the presentation went well. Simon got a good understanding of the idea, concept and how we are going to allocate resources to make this project sucessful, but struggled to understand the story. However, with the script being ready as early as next week, hopefully that fills in the blanks to what my story is about.
Synopsis: Two young adults who became best friends at university, have moved into a house together as they begin their third and final together. But as the year goes on, one friend perseveres with their work & studies to better themselves, while the other seeks to earn a better living without sacrificing their damaging lifestyle.
Beginning
Billy & Jimmy are best friends whom have just completed the 2nd year of university. Having just scraped through the previous year, Character A has pledged to his friend (Jimmy) to knuckle down for his final year in order to achieve good grades!
Jimmy had breezed through the 2nd year and even helped Billy to get through with a pass, begins to get complacent and boasts that he will pass with ease it next year.
One thing Billy and Jimmy both agree on however is that they would like to get Part-Time/Summer Jobs to aid their living costs. (1st Turning Point)
Middle
The new academic year starts well for the friends, however inconsistencies start to appear in Jimmy’s behaviour, missing classes, coming home late and being secretive. Billy talks to Jimmy to find out what is going on and to encourage them back into classes. Jimmy is reluctant to listen and their grades/attendance continues to fall.
Jimmy opens up to Billy about their job not earning them enough money to make a living, funding the house, paying for expenses and continuing with their party-like lifestyle. Billy listens and urges Jimmy to settle down with their lifestyle and continue with their work, that it will all be worth it in the long run and they can return to partying after they graduate. Jimmy listens intently and considers their possibilities. (Midpoint)
One day Jimmy comes home (intoxicated?) and they are in possession of illegal substances. Once again Billy seeks to assertively encourage Jimmy away from this lifestyle and to earn an honest living and succeed in their final year of university.
End
Jimmy returns to a semi-normal way of living with Billy, but still seems distracted/unenthusiastic. Billy assumes this is just his friend getting back into the swing of things and disregards it.
Jimmy suggests they are going to study at the library this evening to catch up with coursework (Can Reveal Secret Stash of Substances to Audience), Billy approves but stays at home because they are on schedule. However Jimmy does not go to the library to study, but instead to continue with their illegal habits. (2nd Turning Point)
That evening someone tries to violently break into the house where Billy is staying, they become frightened and arm themselves with a household object.
As Jimmy returns home later that evening, they are shocked to see the door left open, with Billys dead body inside.
Here is a quick summary of ideas that I thought of going into my pre production package. I want the piece to focus on the Police aspect, as if one was looking at a murder file. I did a brainstorm and listed as many creative ways of using package ideas.
So I thought I would do some basic editing with the original promo title to see what outcomes there would be. I do like the original but the alternate one gives off a completely different vibe compared to the original, lets begin.
This lighter variation I did based on simple feedback after I showed it at uni. The original photo you cant make out the drugs properly, so I made this one in which you can make it out better.
This one is slightly different, I like the contrast of colours, gives an odd type of vibe but I like it, the desaturation is perfect.
This one was basically for shits and giggles if im honest. Gives the trip out illusion, if professional practise could be used as a marketing ploy?
This post may be completely useless but it shows im trying different things with the title.
Here is our first produced working title for our short film we are making next year. Why roadman you ask? well, roadman is the colloquial term used to describe a drug dealer, kind of a slang that the street will understand. I came up with the idea of 'Failing to prepare, preparing to fail' as a concept for the script because of the nature of the outcome, but i feel that it didnt roll off the tongue that well. After scouring facebook ironically, i found the term 'roadman' when i was looking through some memes. And i thought, what about roadman? The whole one word movie title has worked for some disney films such as frozen, tangled, etc etc and the great short film 'soft', so why not roadman? It perfectly describes the outcome of the film without giving too much detail away, you can look at the title and know what youre expecting from it.
So as soon as myself and Tim agreed this as the working title, I got to work on a logo with the TVP logo attached as kind of a promotion to what to expect in the greenlight presentation. I found a great font on Dafont.com called mild life and searched on creative commons for some pills, I knew what i wanted out of it. I applied a satin blending option and made a transparent layer on top of the title, then added a darker filter plus the UCATVP logo, resulting in a very gritty looking promo. As you can see.
This is basically how me and time communicate on a good day. Nothing quite beats an informal sit down where we discuss what needs to be done and progressing forward. We are in most days so we can sort it all out. Aside from physical meetings facebook messenger works a treat as time and i both are always connected to facebook and can access each other straight away.
In terms of working practises, we are both sharing Prezi so we can both edit the presentation ready for the greenlight screening. We use google drive to share documents using our own unique email so we can fire documents to each other with no hassle.
Basically, we got this communication thing sorted out.
My first key milestone to reach is writing my script and getting a draft out. Once a first draft is made, I will make a critical analysis video where I go through what I do and why I did it. I want to make sure I get feedback from my tutor to make sure that I am on the right track. The key is getting the script right so that is my first milestone.
Time management is key to having a successful unit. Even though Tim is organising a schedule for the major project, its key that I make sure I keep to deadlines so I don't fall behind. For the moment, I am writing the script, which will take up the most amount of time this month, I have to also think about my dissertation aswell and make sure I don't fall behind.
As there are two of us in the major project unit, roles will have to be split between us to ensure maximum efficiency in our group. Both Tim and I agreed on roles and have full justfications on why we are doing each. For Tim's ones, go on his blog, this is specifically about my roles,
Director - I had it in my head I wanted to do this for my major project. Ive directed every single short up to now and really enjoy the creativity of what I can produce wheni am a director. With the major project, I intend to be the best director I can be, and produce something really special.
Screenwriter - I also wanted to write the script. I feel if youre directing its always good writing the script aswell, so you really are the driving force behind the creativity being produced. I really enjoyed the scriptwriting unit and want to hit it home for this unit too.
Co-Editor - Both Tim and I are editing our film. It makes perfect sense for us to do so. When you edit something its always good if you have a second opinion as you could miss something or perhaps improvements to the original edit.
