Lesson #4- Script Production and Post Production

Lesson Overview

In this final lesson, you will complete a 10 page script, synopsis, and apply for copyright protection. You will then submit your work to at least one film festival.

Objectives & Goals

  • Use the elements of script to create a properly formatted script using industry standard screenwriting software.
  • Write a screenplay adhering to industry standards for screenplay structure, character development, and dialogue creation for publication.
  • Use proficient writing skills to conceive, develop, produce, edit, critique and revise multimedia projects that inform, educate or entertain while meeting accuracy, project and deadline requirements.
  • Explore and put in practice, knowledge of ethics and copyright law for original video, animation, design and music as applicable to your own work and permissions for using the work of others.

Step 1- Print vs Film

Make a t-chart and compare and contrast novels and movies.  Think of as many differences as possible.  Share your results with your group.

Step 2- Preproduction of 10-Page Script- From Narrative to the Screen

  1. Using the seven 3-by-5 inch note cards provided complete the following:
  2. On each note card, you are creating a SCENE from your film.  Show do not TELL!  Indicate the following:
    • Identify the Story Element (Exposition, Inciting Incident, Conflict that moves the character into action, Rising Action, Turning Point, Falling Action, and Resolution)
    • Time:
    • Location/Place:
    • Who is present?
    • List a brief description of what is happening? The actual scene showing the story element.
  3. Share your note cards with their elbow partner to verify structure, conflict, and that something is happening that will resolve.  Remember, action must be happening to the character.  Remember, we are telling the character’s story.
  4. Then, using your subject, story structure outline, scene note cards, treatment, protagonist character profile, and dialogue study, complete a 10-page script using Celtx or another screenwriting program.Suggested Layout
    • Page 1-2 Exposition and Inciting Incident
    • Page 3- 6 Rising Action and Conflicts
    • Page 7-8 Climax
    • Page 9-10 Falling Action and Resolution

Step 3-Introduction to the Elements of a Script 

  1. Watch the five minute lecture movie titled “Script Elements Introduction”   which introduces  script elements including scene heading/slug line, action, character name, dialogue, transition, parentheticals and extensions.
  2. Obtain a copy of Scripts Elements Student Worksheet from your instructor.  Use five minutes to complete this sheet with a partner. Submit to your instructor.

Step 4- Introduction Celtx

  1. Watch the five minute video titled “Introduction to Celtx”   or watch this film by clicking here on the basic features of Celtx.
  2. Have students open Celtx and recreate the Scripts Elements Student Worksheet. Submit for a grade adding at least one more character dialogue response before the final transition. Post your final submission to your online portfolio.  Title this post Introduction to Celtx.  Include an Objective and reflection.

Step 5- Production of 10-Page Script

  1. Before beginning to write your script, watch the following video “Top 11 Tips to Writing a Great Script.”
  2. You have 2 weeks to complete your final project. Work on it at home!  Save your script as a .celtx file and a .pdf file and upload both copies to your online portfolio along with the initial subject.

Step 6 – Peer Assessment

  1. Save your script as a .pdf (Click here for directions on saving script as .pdf )and then upload(click here for directions on how to upload and get link from your drive) to your drive.
  2.  Click here to upload your script to the classroom script list.  (http://goo.gl/forms/oDYBwfTvYE) You are only to submit your first draft here!
  3. Each person must give formal feedback using the Script Feedback Peer Assessment Form (see attached).  Return this sheet to your instruction (+200 assessment points each).  LINK TO SUBMITTED SCRIPTS- CLICK HERE!

Step 7- Review of Feedback and Rewrite.

  1. Using the feedback forms from your peers and the Script Final Submission Rubric to rewrite your script. Fix grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors that are not intentional.
  2. Submit a .pdf copy of your first and second draft to your online portfolio and your instructor’s email.
  3. Complete a self assessment using the  Script Final Submission Rubric.  Circle one box in each row representing your final score.  Total your points and write the final number on the back of your rubric. Submit your final self assessment to your instructor.
  4. Then, write a 1-page reflection about your script writing experience in your online portfolio.  Title this reflection “My Script Writing Experience”.  Your reflection, while not limited to, must include the following discussion questions:
      1. Describe your experience with writing a short script.
      2. Was your feedback expected? Why or why not?
      3. After reading the feedback, in what ways did you change the story in your second draft?
      4. What new learnings have you obtained from this process?

Step 8 – Internet query

  1. Research registering your screenplay with the Writers Guild Association (WGA) and Copyright office.  Evaluate the benefits of registering your screenplay with the WGA. Compare and contrast registering with the WGA and applying for Copyright protection through the copyright office.
  2. Then, discuss the following scenarios in a short reflection in your online portfolio:
    1. What if you want to shop your script to major studios? Should you have your script registered or copyright protected?  What are the pros and cons of each?
    2. What if you want to mail your script to several producers in hopes that they will use it for their next big feature? Should you have your script registered or copyright protected?  What are the pros and cons of each?
  3. Lastly, complete the application to register your script with the WGA and an application to register your script with the Copyright office.

Assessment

Portfolio submission of final rewrite.  Use rubric to assess script submission.

Moving On!

traffic-light-thNow that you have completed the lesson along with the assessment and submitted all of your artifacts along with objective and reflections to your online portfolio, you have successfully completed the UNIT!  YES!  You may begin with Unit 2 Plan, Point, and Get Ready to Shoot! Short Film Preproduction.  Nice work on completing every section of Unit 1.

Posted in  your portfolio from this lesson-check

    • Introduction to Celtx – 100 points CW
    • Script submission 1st and final draft (.pdf, .txt. and .celtx) and include 25 word or less synopsis.   -1,000,000 points CW
    • Reflection “My Script Writing Experience” 300 points
    • Copyright Analysis (Objective and Reflection)- 500 points

NOTE!  You can not move on to Unit 2 until you have completed the entire UNIT 1.