script development and script commissioning

8
Armitage’s Report cript Development a ript Commissioning.

Upload: birdieproductions

Post on 17-Nov-2014

770 views

Category:

Education


2 download

DESCRIPTION

 

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Script Development and Script Commissioning

Zoe Armitage’s Report on Script Development andScript Commissioning.

Page 2: Script Development and Script Commissioning

What Is Script Writing?Script writing is an art form that makes people create something from their own mind, which can bedifficult at times. Whenever you watch something on TV or watch a film that has come from a person who has sat down and wrote numerous drafts and tried to sell it to a producer. Scriptwriting is a very difficult art from to accomplish.

(Website: http://www.filmscriptwriting.com/)

Page 3: Script Development and Script Commissioning

The Stages Of Script WritingDevelopmentDeveloping a script can take a lot of time to create. There is multiple drafts that have to be done before sending it off to be read by a producer. There is also many steps that the writer has go to consider to begin writing the script. They have the job to research, develop the narrative and actually writing the screenplay. Nearly all the creative side of the screenplay comes from the writer which means they have a great influence on the screenplay itself.

‘Screenwriters are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative, writing the screenplay, and delivering it, in the required format, to Development Executives. Screenwriters therefore have great influence over the creative direction and emotional impact of the screenplay and, arguably, of the finished film’.Firstly there will be a first draft which can contain a rough edit of the outline of the script and what

it is about. The second draft is more detailed of what stage direction and the cinematography that is going to be used. The next draft can contain even more detail, considering actor direction( where and what they want the actors to do) and the mise on scene. The final draft will be ready to send a copy to send off for commissioning. Another thing that the writers have to think about when writing a script I the style, genre, theme, film length, and structure of what they want to see on screen. They will do this by producing ideas generation which includes mind maps a and mood boards.

As you can see from this image everything that the writer has to think about how it all connects together. This also shows how much work and thought goes into writing a script. Screenwriters must perform to professional standards which means sticking to deadlines, and must work together with the development team to come up with ways to create the best work they can which may get produced.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_11VBh3yd4&feature=relmfu

This link above explains in detail and one point that they seem to talk about is that to write successful script it must draw the reader in within the first 10 pages. This image is also taken from ‘The Art and Science of Screenwriting’ book.

(Website: http://www.filmscriptwriting.com/ )(Book: The Art and Science of Screenwriting, page 13, Philip Parker)

Page 4: Script Development and Script Commissioning

This is the three act structure is a basic understanding of the way it works. ‘Most screenplays have a three-act structure, following an organization that dates

back to Aristotle's Poetics. The three acts are setup (of the location and characters), confrontation (with an obstacle), and resolution (culminating in a climax and a dénouement). In

a two-hour film, the first and third acts both typically last around 30 minutes, with the middle act lasting roughly an hour.

Page 2- Of Script Development

(Website: http://www.filmscriptwriting.com/images/5pointsofstructure.gif)

The first act establishes the set up of the location, characters and stage directions, the second act is focusing on the development of the script and the third act is concluding the script ready for commissioning.

Page 5: Script Development and Script Commissioning

Page 3- Of Script Development

This page, taken from ‘The Art and Science of Screenwriting’ is basically saying that screenwriting is a lot of work as it says,

‘Most screenwriters have upwards of seven projects in various stages of development at any one

time’. Screenwriting can take a lot of the writers time up but if they want their work to be developed more by a producer and then being turned into a short film of episode, they are going to have to work hard to make sure they have multiple episodes written just in case they decide produce it, or other work if they have written a short film to show that they can work to professional standards.

(Book: The Art and Science of Screenwriting, Page: 57, Author: Ray Frensham)

Page 6: Script Development and Script Commissioning

Script Commissioning The first steps to commissioning a script will be constructing ideas by either producing mood boards or mind maps to generate ideas for your script. The first draft will come next which will involve an brief description of what the script is about. The second draft will contain a more detailed description which could be actor directions, and the mise on scene. The third draft willcontain even more detail and will finally begin to form as a script. The final script should be readthoroughly to make sure it is up to standards to send it to a producer.

Step 1 - Send script to writer’s room

We will only consider scripts that meet our guidelines, so please ensure that you have run through our submissions checklist before you submit your script.

Step 2 - Script loggingWhen your script is received we log it on our database and send an acknowledgement card to you. If you haven't received an acknowledgement card within one month of sending your script, please contact us so that we can check if it has arrived.

The second step would be to send your script to the producer and then they log it onto their computer and the writer will receive an acknowledgement card.Then the script is read by a professional, which in the first 10 pages should catch their attention. If this does not happen the writer will get the script sent back to them with no comments. The Script is then read in full and is assessed by the readers. If the writer does not want to continue the process, they will ask the writer to send another original script.

Page 7: Script Development and Script Commissioning

The Script is then read in full and is assessed by the readers. If the writer does not want to continue the process, they will ask the writer to send another original script to monitor their process.

Step 3 - Script siftOur readers sift all eligible scripts by reading the first ten pages. If the script shows potential, it will be given a full read. If not, it will be returned to the writer without any comments - this tends to be the case with the majority of unsolicited scripts.

At this stage a script is read in full, and assessed by our readers for the potential of the writer. If a script doesn't merit further attention at this stage, it is returned to the writer along with the reader's comments.

Step 4 - Script read

The script will then be read a second time, if they feel the script is good, they will send it too a development manager. The final step is to meet the development team that they could be working with, and also to develop the script even more to be up to the standards of the development team.

Step 5 - Invite Next / Second Read

If a script shows real talent and potential, it will be given to another reader for a second opinion. If the second reader feels the writer isn't yet ready for further development, they will be invited to send in their next work. If the second reader feels the writer is ready, the script will be passed to the Development Manager.

Scripts that are championed by our readers are then assessed by the Development Manager, who may meet with the writer, monitor their development, recommend their work to other BBC producers and departments, or place them on a development scheme. Only a small number of scripts and writers progress to this stage.

Step 6 - Meet / Develop

Page 2- Of Script Commissioning

Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/writersroom_flow.shtml

Page 8: Script Development and Script Commissioning

Conclusion

Overall I have found many references such as books, internet and videos to find information about the script development and commissioning. I have found that it takes lots of hard work to produce a good script and then the commissioning stages take a while and there are chances that some writers wont get their script read. I have also looked at the three act structure which gives the writer a guidance of how to write their script. It explains that their is basically a beginning, middle, end and what stages of the script should go where , such as the location, actors/actresses and stage directions.