1 lecture 5: industry tools professor daniel cutrara
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Lecture 5:Lecture 5:Industry ToolsIndustry Tools
Professor Daniel Cutrara
Previous LessonPrevious Lesson
• Supporting Elements
• American Beauty
• Assignments
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This LessonThis Lesson
• The Treatment
• Coverage
• Character Breakdown
• Assignments
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The TreatmentThe Treatment
Lesson 5: Part I
Uses for the Treatment
• For the Story– Writer uses the treatment to develop the
story.
• Marketing– Writer, producer, etc. uses treatment to sell
the story.
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The Writer’s Treatment
• No set style. Elements vary. – Dialogue– Description– Length
Adaptation (2002)
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Marketing Treatments
• Selling the narrative
• Standard conventions
• Varying lengths – 1 or more pages– Five is a
comfortable read.
The Player (1992)
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The Elements of the Treatment
• An opening that hooks the audience• A final climax that satisfies their sense
of storytelling• a relatable protagonist• a central conflict around which all the
action revolves• a central emotional line
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The Elements of the Treatment (cont’d)
• all the necessary main and supporting characters
• the essential content of every scene from beginning to end.
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The StyleThe Style
• It’s a pitch• Dramatic,
straighforward, visual• Present tense, broad
strokes• The main storyline
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The Treatment Template
• The Template– Atchity & Wong p. 52
• Maximize key scenes, minimize the story that connects them.
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The Treatment Template (cont’d)
• Act 1– Introduction of Protagonist and Problem
• How protagonist takes on problem.
• Act 2– Protagonist encounters obstacles
• Reversals and build to the climax of Act 2
• Act 3– Protagonist achieves mission
• Crisis, climax, resolution12
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CoverageCoverage
Lesson 5: Part II
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The Top Sheet
• Pause the lecture and review the sample coverage from American Beauty.
• The Cover Page/Top Sheet– The Various Elements
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The Top Sheet (Cont’d)
• Top Sheet Sections– The Details – The Logline– The Evaluations
• Commercial• The Grid
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The Details
• Script Data– Writer, page length, genre, location
• Business Data– Agent, Executive, Analyst
• Elements/Attachments– If needed this info would already
accompany the spec script.
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The Logline
• The Story in a nutshell– Varies in length– 1 to 2 line teaser
setting up the Act Two tension.
– 3 to 4 lines encapsulating the whole story.
• Examples at IMDB.Com17
Evaluations
• The Grid– Concept, Character,
Plot/Structure, Dialogue
• Commercial– Marketability
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Concept X
Character X X
Plot/Structure X
Dialogue X
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The Synopsis
• Pause the lecture and review the coverage synopsis of American Beauty.
• Note the length and the style.
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The Synopsis (cont’d)
• The Length– Variable depending on
the company and the material being covered.
• The Style– Capture the narrative– Present Tense– Format conventions
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The Approach
• Read the Script in one sitting• Just note the turning points
– Avoid taking detailed notes
• Write first draft from memory and the turning point notes
• Make sure to capture character arc, tone, and genre.
• It should be an engaging read.
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The Approach (Cont’d)
• Capitalize character names when first introduced.
• Don’t step outside the story. – For example- p. 156 Garfinkel
• “From the novel’s very first sentence”
– Even though some analysts and companies are fine with this unless it is advised don’t do it.
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Comments
• Pause the lecture and read over the comments section for the American Beauty coverage.
• Note the style, tone, and elements covered.
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The Four Types
• Standard Coverage• Constructive Coverage• Political Coverage• Sales Coverage
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Standard Coverage
• The Basic• Generally an in house document, for the
client’s eyes only.• You give a solid evaluation, no frills.• However, be tactful, you never know
who may read your coverage.
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Standard Variations
• Writing samples for a particular project in development.
• Directing samples.• Adaptations
Twelve Monkeys (1995) directed by Terry Gilliam
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Constructive Coverage
• Intended for producers, directors, and writers.
• You not only note what works and what doesn’t but offer constructive solutions to address major issues.
• Imagine yourself as a writing partner, be positive about the project.
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Political Coverage
• Welcome to the Spin Zone.• Discovering your comfort zone.• Writing as an advocate for the script.
– internal politics
• Accentuate the positive.• Minimize the negative
– don’t ignore, give yourself an out if the script tanks.
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Sales Coverage
• For potential investors, producers, directors, sales agents, actors.
• Punchy synopsis that hooks the reader.• If you do comments- they would most
likely focus on the commercial. – marketability– audience– casting potential– visual possibilities
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Style• Industry vs Academia
– don’t use words like diegesis, hegemony.
• Descriptive– use adjectives and
adverbs strategically
• A hint of informality– contractions are
appropriate
• Professional– avoid first person,
appearance objective30
Comments Template
• The Opening– begin with a thesis
paragraph that sums up your take on the script.
– Comparison to other films
– Feature, TV, Cable, straight to DVD?
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Template (2)
• The Body– Concept – Character and
dialogue– Plot and Structure– Pace– Visuals– Writing style
Shane Black-Action Screenwriter
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Template (3)
• Warning—– Refrain from harsh remarks.
• The Conclusion– A quick summary of your evaluation.
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The Recommendation
• Recommend– top 2-5 percent of scripts you will ever read– you must be convinced this will be both a
commercial and critical success.
• Consider– top 5-10 percent of scripts you will read– there is enough value for your client
• Pass– not enough here to warrant further time.
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The Character BreakdownThe Character Breakdown
Lesson 5: Part III
Entourage
The Breakdown
• Name– full name
• Age– the range an actor can play
• Race/Ethnicity– whatever is considered politically correct
• Type– lead, supporting character, etc.
• Description– the character in a nutshell
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The Wrap Up
• Selling the Story– The Treatment– The Coverage– The Breakdown
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AssignmentsAssignments
Lesson 5: Part IV
Network (1976)written by Paddy Chayefsky
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E-Board Post #1E-Board Post #1• Approximately 200 words. Pick a favorite
film and do a character breakdown for four of the main characters.
• Comment on two of your peers.
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End of Lecture 5End of Lecture 5
Next Lecture:
A Different Vision
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)written by Michael Arndt
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