Documentary Planning How to Write a Script Elements

Documentary Planning How to Write a Script Elements

How to Use This Power. Point • As a planning guide: • As you plan out your documentary, use these slides. • Answer any questions in detail right on the slide.

How to Submit This Power. Point • Save the Power. Point • The file name should be LAST names. FIRST name. class#. Script planning. • Email it to jbomeisl@cfsd 16. org or airdrop it.

Script Elements • You will be planning: • Story • Visuals • Sound

Story Elements - Plot summary • On this slide, briefly summarize your plot. Remember – a plot has a beginning, middle and end. What is your main idea? How will you present it?

Story Elements - Backstory • What background that occurred before the start of your film might the audience need to know?

Story Elements - the Beginning A good beginning: • Creates an audiovisual “hook”. What will be your hook?

Story Elements - the Beginning A good beginning: • Establishes the core assertion of the film. What is the purpose/thesis of your film? (Write it as though you were writing a thesis statement for an essay. )

Story Elements - the Beginning A good beginning: • Creates curiosity among the audience. How will you do this?

Story Elements - Beginning A good beginning: • Shows change or the promise of change. What change are you advocating?

Story Elements - Beginning A good beginning: • Creates the element of consequence - cause and effect directs the audience and increases understanding. What cause and effect might you use?

The beginning: Inciting incident Inciting Incident causes conflict, causes change What is YOUR inciting incident? (Note: sometimes this is your hook as well. )

Story Elements - the Middle Common Issues • Concept, idea, thought - each sequence is related through common issues. What are the common issues?

Story Elements - the Middle Opposing Viewpoints • What are the opposing viewpoints you will use?

Story Elements - Middle Settings • Setting - use common locations or different locations within a common, larger setting. What settings will you use?

Story Elements - Middle Mood • Mood - can make sequences relate to each other comparison OR contrast. Can you get the audience emotionally involved? What mood(s) will you utilize?

Story Elements - Middle Pacing How will you pace your film? Linear? Non-linear time? (See your notes from previous lessons. ) • If non-linear: Scriptwriter must know audience well in order to use non-linear. Why will this work for your audience?

Story Elements - The Middle: Pacing Transitions - What ones will you use? Visual? Sound?

Story Elements - The End: Must be inevitable and unexpected. Which type will you use? • Two types of ending: 1. Closed end - all questions and emotions raised in story are satisfied. No doubt or question is left. 2. Open end - leaves one or more questions unanswered, some emotions unfulfilled. Does NOT leave audience hanging, but offers alternatives and choice.

Story Elements - POV Plot: The Point of View (POV) determines the narration. Which will you use? • First person POV is most common. Characters talk in terms of “I”, film records their experiences through their eyes. • Second person POV - narration directly addresses audience as “you”- often used in television video magazines and news stories • Third person POV - more common in classical documentaries. Told from perspective of someone unknown by audience, a “god-like” omnipresent person.

Story Elements - POV Plot: Point of View • Who is telling the story to the audience?

Visual Elements - plan yours! Visual elements: The Sequence - What type(s) of sequences will you use? Describe them. When will you use them?

Identify & Plan Other Visual Elements you could use: • The Montage: • Talking Heads:

Identify & Plan Other Visual Elements you could use: • Archival film footage or photographs. • Graphics • Ranactment

Identify & Plan Other Visual Elements you could use: • Visual Metaphors: Describe ones you might use. • Special effects

Sound Elements - what will you use? Give examples: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) Narrative commentary Voice over Talking heads Music Ambiance sound Sound effects Silence