Screenwriting Brainstorming; Preparing for Narratology Film Script Review

Today, during period 1, please complete the following:

1. Complete your reading of your chosen script:

• Duck Soup (1933)
• The Wizard of Oz (1939)
• Casablanca (1942)

As you read, please examine the genre, the plot structure, the character portrayal, the setting, POV, and intended audience. What elements of the film script are formalistic, which are classical or realistic, etc. How does the film script adhere to the rules of the genre (what are those rules?) and find examples of the narrative style. Take notes and be prepared to write an essay on this next class.

2. Work on your original film script brainstorming exercises. See below for some advice in coming up with ideas. Use the graphic organizers to write and plan your original film script. You are NOT writing your idea yet. Everyone should work alone on an idea. The chance to collaborate will come soon.

Use the handouts and organizers presented today if you need them to help you. During 2nd period, we will screen some films from the 1930's.

Screenwriting Tips

1. Most of writing a screenplay (about 65%) is done in planning and prewriting.
2. Writing a screenplay is a succession of breakdowns: moving from the general to the specific.
3. Don't write a script for a movie you yourself wouldn't go see.
4. Remember the goal of every writer is to get an "emotional" response from your audience. Scripts that are too bland or boring or cliche, only anger an audience (and don't usually get made in the first place).

Writers think in different ways:

1. Inductively: from specific to the universal
2. Deductively: from the universal to the specific
3. Logically: How one thing causes another thing to happen
4. Non-logically: Absurdity or mere coincidence
5. Creatively: discovering hidden connections or relationships between two unrelated things (i.e. metaphorically)

It's okay to think in any of these ways. No one way is the right way. You, of course, can also combine these ways of thinking too. Be creative!

HOMEWORK: Complete your reading/analysis of your chosen film script. Take notes and be ready to write a review/essay on narratology next class on your chosen script. This would be an in-class test.

Please read the article on Walt Disney & Snow White for Friday. Write a written response to the article and include information about the first Disney film you remember seeing, or if you have been impacted by Disney films/studios, etc. talk a little about your observations/memories. This paper will be handed in as participation credit FRIDAY.