SILENT FILM HOMAGE RESULTS

Were you able to finish your silent film homage on time?  Why or why not?  How closely does it resemble your original vision?  Where did you run into challenges?  Write about 3 mistakes that you made.  Why did they happen?  Write about 2 things you could do to improve your next project.

This has been another project i was unable to complete on time. i was very confident in making the location perfect with intentions to build the set and in using the green screen. How ever it became difficult to accomplish this due to my responsibilities having to do with my children's health and doctor visits. The final film is totally the opposite from my vision.

The biggest challenge was the story board  becoming difficult.  The choreography that i wanted to include was to complicated to draw. The costumes and props were also a financial set back. I also would have liked to used my kids but the stage have been covered in spagetti.  Which wasted to much time that i could have used and my partner was not camera certified.  

The Writers journey model

HERO'S JOURNEY SCAVENGER HUNT

Why did you select this image?  What about it symbolizes or describes the hero's journey for you?

The departure when hercules leaves to find his real parents. 

The initiation is when he trains to become a hero.

The return when he goes back to being a mortal to be with Meg.

This is my all time favorite hero movie. 

INFO-GRAPHIC

Today Discussion

SCREEN WRIING IS BLUE PRINTS

STORY STRUCTURE

Story structure is a question of plot -how do we put our events together to form the most cohesive, dramatic story?

With screenwriting, structure is critical--it is stricter than novels, plays because time is compressed.

The screen play is a blue print of the dramatic structure.

TYPES OF ACTION

Two types of Action

RISING ACTION
FROM ACT I - II WE WANT TO TAKE THE AUDIENCE ON A RIDE. WE RATCHET UP THE DRAMA AS WE GO.

FALLING ACTION 
AFTER TGHE FINAL CLIMAX, WE WANT TO GIE THE AUDIENCE A MOMENT TO BREATH, REORIENT. DEAL WITH THE RESOLUTION.

Start in the beginning what is the event that set the flow into the conflict that leads to the confrontation.

ACT I = Conflict/ Confrontation

Causality is key: one event must lead to another.
Should be told from one character's POV.
Twist/reversal is when the audience expects one outcome by gets another.

THE HERO'S JOURNEY 1/16/15

"The usual hero adventure begins with someone from whom something has been taken, or who feels there is something lacking in the normal experience available or permitted to the members of society. The person then takes off on a series of adventures beyond the ordinary, either to recover what has been lost or to discover some life-giving elixir. It’s usually a cycle, a coming and a returning.” 

~ -Joseph Campbell

THE THREE-ACT STRUCTURE

  The 3-act structure

The bullet-proof method of story telling. Hollywood and Broadway use this to develop films and screenplays. The structure has been proven to be a valuable weapon in the arsenal of any screenwriter.  This structure is highly accepted in the entertainment industry. 

ACT I:  SETUP 

Introduction of all the major characters

The Characters World 

The Conflict that will lead the story forward. 

Note: The writer has a magic wand that can develop a reality that he so wishes.

Possibilities are unlimited.

Required to present a strong Hook.

THE HOOK

The script will grab your audiences attention create a exciting scene.

Develop action creating an attention-grabbing sequence.

The creation of the inciting incident needs to be placed in the beginning of ACT I. Using this to provoke a change in the protagonist's routine. Giving them the experience that will challenge or encourage them. The plot point should be the ending of ACT I. The plot point often provokes a change in the protagonist’s routine  something new they experience that could either challenge or encourage them.

Definitions

Incite

To incite is to cause to act or occur. Violent words can incite violent actions which, in turn, might incite public outcry against violence.

The latin verb meaning " to move into action."

vV          provoke or stir up

“incite a riot”

Synonyms:

instigate, set off, stir up

Types:

raise

activate or stir up

Type of:

provoke, stimulate

provide the needed stimulus for

vurge on; cause to act

Synonyms:

egg on, prod

Types:

hide 4 types...

goose

prod into action

halloo

urge on with shouts

goad

urge with or as if with a goad

spur

goad with spurs

 give an incentive for action

Synonyms:

actuate, motivate, move, prompt, propel

affect, impress, move, strike

have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

move

arouse sympathy or compassion in

Type of:

cause, do, make

give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

ACT II: CONFRONTATION

Takes place between the first and third acts Act II is the hardest one to squeeze out

ACT III: RESOLUTION   

HERO'S JOURNEY ARCHETYPES EXPLAINED

http://adulted.about.com/od/howtos/a/archetypes.htm

Here is a great article that explains the basic character archetypes that we are learning about in class.  Read the article and familiarize yourself with the the traits that each of these have.

FILM SCREENING: STAR WARS (1977)

We are watching the original 1977 cut of Star Wars.  After watching, we will have group discussions.   Elect a group leader.  Use the following questions to guide your discussion:

1.  What do you think were the influences that George Lucas drew from to create Star Wars?

2.  What role does Obi-wan Kenobi play in the film?  Why is he so important?

3.  What was the inciting incident?  a.ka. "The call to adventure"

4.  What drew you into the story?  Why?

5.  When Darth Vader appears, how does George Lucas reveal him?  What makes him so intimidating?

6.  What do you think influenced the creation of Darth Vader?

7.  Why is the light sabre so cool?  In an age of guns, why does it make even the most hardened adult turn into a kid again?  What is George Lucas accessing to generate this feeling?

8.  Why is the force so cool?  In an age of science, what does "The Force" access in us emotionally?

9.  What does Luke want in the film?  Why?

10.  What does Han Solo want in the film?  Why?

11.  When Obi-wan dies, what happens to Luke's character?  What does he have to do next in the story?

12.  At what point does Luke transform into the true hero?  What makes this happen?  Why?

13.  Why is Luke such an iconic hero?

14.  Why is Darth Vader such a iconic villain?

STORY TEMPLATE FOR BASIC ARC PLOT

A MAP THE HERO'S JOURNEY

ARCHETYPES "THE ROLE"

          Archetypes describe the function or role a character plays in a story. Think of the Archetype as a mask a character wears in a particular scene. One character may serve primarily as the Mentor of a tale, wearing that single mask for the majority of the Journey. But just as we play many roles in our lifetime, or even change masks in a given day, a story’s characters have the potential to wear any of the Archetypal masks depending upon the demands of the story. Obi Wan Kenobi is the Mentor throughout Star Wars, and yet he must wear the Hero’s mask and sacrifice himself to Darth Vader in order to allow Luke to escape with the princess. In some stories, like the one told in Casablanca, a single Archetypal mask may be handed form one character to the next. Although Rick is the central character and can be considered our Hero, the Hero’s mask is passed from Victor Lazlo to Ilsa before she gives it to Rick, who finally wears it to the journey’s end. What follows is an overview of the Archetypes that occur most frequently. The Archetypes and an actionde scribing their primary function are:

ARCHETYPES

1. Hero “to serve and sacrifice”

2. Mentor “to guide”

3. Threshold Guardian “to test”

4. Herald “to warn and challenge”

5. Shapeshifter “to question and deceive”

6. Shadow “to destroy”

7. Trickster “to disrupt”

?QUESTIONS?

When placing these masks on your characters, ask yourself the following:

• What is the character’s function on the Journey?

• What is the character’s goal?

• What action should the character take to achieve that goal? 

THE ARCHETYPE

THE ARCHETYPE


ARCHETYPES are recurring patterns of human behavior, symbolized by standard types of characters in movies and stories.


HEROES


Central figures in stories. Everyone is the hero of his or her own myth.


SHADOWS


Villains and enemies, perhaps the enemy within. The dark side of the Force, the repressed possibilities of the hero, his or her potential for evil. Can be other kinds of repression, such as repressed grief, anger, frustration or creativity that is dangerous if it doesn’t have an outlet.


MENTORS


The hero’s guide or guiding principles. Yoda, Merlin, a great coach or teacher.


HERALD


One who brings the Call to Adventure. Could be a person or an event.


THRESHOLD GUARDIANS


The forces that stand in the way at important turning points, including jealous enemies, professional gatekeepers, or your own fears and doubts.


SHAPESHIFTERS


In stories, creatures like vampires or werewolves who change shape. In life, the shape shifter represents change. The way other people (or our perceptions of them) keep changing. The opposite sex, the way people can be two-faced.


TRICKSTERS


Clowns and mischief-makers, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. Our own mischievous subconscious, urging us to change.


ALLIES


Characters who help the hero through the change. Sidekicks, buddies, girlfriends who advise the hero through the transitions of life.

THE HEROS INNER JOURNEY

THE HEROS JOURNEY

GENRES

1. Absolute film
2. Abstract animation
3. Actuality film
4. Adventure film
5. Amateur film
6. Animated documentary
7. Anthology film
8. Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction
9. Art film
10. Arthouse action film
11. Backstage musical
12. Bad girl movies
13. Badaga cinema
14. Beach party film
15. Bildungsroman
16. Biographical film
17. Blaxploitation
18. Blue film
19. Body horror
20. Bourekas film
21. Bromantic comedy
22. Buddy cop film
23. Buddy film
24. Camcorder film
26. Cannibal film
27. Cartoon
28. Chicano films
29. Chick flick
30. Children's film
31. Chopsocky
32. Christian film industry
33. Cinema of Georgia
34. Cinema of Montenegro
35. Colonial cinema
36. Comedy film
37. Comedy of remarriage
38. Comedy thriller
39. Comedy-drama
40. Comic fantasy
41. Comic science fiction
42. Coming-of-age story
43. Commedia sexy all'italiana
44. Compilation film
45. Composite film
46. Conspiracy fiction
47. Crime film

GENRE

Gene is the vehicle you are using to convey your story.

Sometimes it's easier to place a controversial idea in a different time period = western, science fiction. 

Different genres come with different audience expectations. 

Genres can be combined- Star Wars (Western + SciFi)

My List

Action
Action/Comedy
Adventure
Animation
Art House
Australian
Biography
Comedy
Crime Drama
Disaster
Family
Fantasy
Horror
Martial-Arts
Mini Series
Musical
Mystery
Rom-Com
Sci-Fi
Sports
Spoof
Thriller
TV movie
War
Western Zombie

REVIEW LAST WEEK NOTES

REFERS BACK TO:
 PLOT- CHAIN OF EVENTS
IF ONE CHAIN LINK IS WEAK THE CHAIN BREAKS

THE OUTLINE COME IN HANDY

POINT OF OUTLINE

MAKE SURE YOU USE INDEX CARDS FOR DRAFT

EACH CARD IS A SHOT OF THE STORY

LEARN HOW TO PROCEED BY STEP BY STEP

NO JUMPING BACK IN FORTH EMPHASIZE IN ORDER

THE STAKES

WHAT
WHY
FAILS
CONSEQUENCES

ARK- SCREEN WRITING COURSE WILL REFER TO THE STAKES
ALWAYS UP THE STAKES

TAKING SOMETHING AND UPPING THE ANTI

STRUCTURE OF LIL CONFLICT

UNDERSTAND THE CHARACTER

WANTS?

WHAT DOES THE CHARACTER WANT?

THE PROBLEM WITH HOLLYWOOD

THEME- HUMAN CONDITION

HUMAN TOUCH

EVERYONE CAN CONNECT WITH HAVING A PARENT

GROUP DISCUSSING

QUESTION WHAT IS DIALOG

DIALOG

IS DIALOG EVERY NARRATIVE FORM AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS STORY?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO?

DO YOU HAVE A WAY OF PUTTING THE ACTIONS DOWN VISUALLY?

SHOW ME DON'T TELL ME?

7 BASIC PLOTS

PICK TWO OF THESE PLOT TYPES THAT MOST INTEREST YOU AND WRITE ABOUT THEM.

The plot of choice for me has to focus more on the theme of the human condition. What is the way I am feeling. The way the character has went about the person vs. person, person vs. supernatural, or person vs. self.

BUSTER KEATON

DIALOG

Dialog is important, but not essential to tell a story.

Dialog is a way for characters to communicate with each other. 

Exposition can be uncovered with dialog.

Golden Rule of Dialog = use as little and simple as possible. 

THEME

If plot is on the surface, Theme is what is underneath. 

The Theme is the underlying " human condition" that is being explored in the story. 

It could be one word: jealousy, obsession, alienation, etc.

What are you trying to say to your audience at the end of your story?

THE STAKES

Much of the drama derived from putting your character through the ringer has to do with what the 

character has at stake. 

What are his desires?

What does your character have to lose?

If he fails, what will happen?

PLOT

GROUP DISCUSSION_ WHAT IS A PLOT THE MAIN CLIMAX

Plot is a literary term defined as the events that make up a story, particularly as they relate to one another in a pattern, in a sequence, through cause and effect, how the reader views the story, or simply by coincidence.

PLOT- THE PATTERN OR ORDER OF EVENTS AS THEY RELATE TO EACH OTHER BY CAUSE AND EFFECT IN A SCREENPLAY.

"THE CHAIN OF EVENTS. " HOW EACH EVENT LEADS TO THE NEXT.
CONFLICT- CHARACTERS CHANGE THROUGH EXPERIENCING CONFLICT. YOUR PROTAGONIST MUST BE FACED WITH ADVERSITY IN ORDER FOR HIM/HER TO GROW AND FOR YOUR STORY TO REMAIN COMPELLING.

You  have to make something plausible. 

types of plots 

Classic Model

Tragedies-

Comedies-

PLOT AND CONFLICT

"Put your characters through the ringer. "

Explore ways to keep your antagonist from obtaining their goals. This should create conflict  and tension in a way that naturally allows your characters to develop organically. 

How does the antagonist

EXPOSITION 101

EXPOSITION- A STORYTELLING DEVICE THROUGH WHICH THE AUDIENCE IS PROCEEDED WITH INFORMATION RELEVANT TO THE EVENTS IN THE STORY.

BACKSTORY- EVENTS IN THE LIVES OF THE CHARACTERS THAT OCCURRED PREVIOUS TO THE BEGINNING OF THE MOVIE

 EXPOSITION IS A GREAT WAY TO COMMUNICATE BACKSTORY!

EXPOSITION CAN BE COMMUNICATED THROUGH: 

 DIALOG, TEXT ON SCREEN, PROPS, COSTUMES, CHARACTER BODY LANGUAGE.

IT'S PURPOSE IS TO ALWAYS MOVE THE STORY FORWARD. 

IT TEACHES THE AUDIENCE ABOUT THE CHARACTERS. 

HELPS THE AUDIENCE CONNECT WITH THEM

SETTING 102

Setting- The time and place and circumstances of where a film takes place.

What location does your film take place in? INT. or EXT.?

When does your film take place? Day? Night? 

What time period? Middle ages

The setting can be dictated by the genre, (Western, Science Fiction, Horror, etc.)

The setting must match the mood you are trying to convey and the relationships between your characters.

Locations can tell a story all by themselves. 

ANNA Movie Trailer (Thriller - 2014)

Person vs. Person 



Doctor vs. Anna



 A doctor tries to help his patient battle her demons. 

Dumb and Dumber To TRAILER 1 (2014) - Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels Movie HD

Dear White People Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Comedy HD

Person vs. Society



Main Character vs White People



A college African American radio DJ puts segregation into the white population on air. 

FILM CONFLICT TRAILERS

Take a moment to look up a three different trailers from your list on YouTube and embed them into your blog. Write a description about what type of conflict each of the trailers is and who the protagonist and antagonist are. Why do you feel that that film is that type of conflict? What were your clues?

Buster Keaton Sings with Ukulele

SUPERNATURAL

Funny Scene in 'The Mask' 1994



PRO-STANLEY IPKISS



ANT-THE MASK

IMPORTANT

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 

YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO TELL A STORY 

      Dramatic Conflict:      

What is your core questions?

What kind of story do you want to tell?

What do you want your audience to learn/feel at the end of watching your film?

7 Basic types of Conflict

Person vs. Self

The main character must overcome their own doubts or internal flaws. 

Person vs. Person 

The hero vs. cillain, Someone wants something, the villain is trying to stop them.

Person vs. Society 

The main character must overcome am institution, the government, the law or his/her culture.

Person vs. Technology (a.k.a. Man vs. Machine)

The main character must overcome or succumb to technology or machine. 

THE 6 QUESTIONS TO MAKE A BETTER CHARACTER

THE 6 QUESTIONS TO MAKE A BETTER CHARACTER

Below you can find the six questions you should always be asking about your characters in order to create well rounded, believable ones. Be sure to refer back to these when you are writing your screenplays.

1. Who is your character? Is this character the protagonist, the antagonist, a supporting character? What is the character's name? Describe the character's physical characteristics and personality characteristics.

2. What does your character do for a living? What is he trying to achieve? What is his goal?

3. When does the story take place? Does it take place now, in the past, in the future?

4. Where is your character located? Describe the physical location.

5. Why does your character look or behave the way he does? What is his motivation?

6. How do your character's mannerisms or actions define his personality?

STORYTELLING

QUESTION

WHAT IS GOOD STORYTELLING ?

NAME 3 IMPORTANT KEY ELEMENTS OF TELLING A GOOD STORY. 

WHY ARE THOSE SO IMPORTANT?

IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF A STORY 

                              BEGINNING 

                                              MIDDLE 

                                                          END 

THE PITCH OR CLIMAX OF THE STORY ``

CHARACTERS

WHAT ARE CHARACTERS?

7-PARAMETER CHARACTER MODEL 

  FEARS  

EMOTIONS

  BACKSTORY 

BELIEFS 

   PRACTICES   

DESIRES 

  INTENTONS  

KEY NOTE: CREATING CHARACTERS 102

      INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL      

  EXTERNAL CONFLICT

 INTERNAL CONFLICT 

 INTERACTIONAL CONFLICT

?????????????           QUESTIONS           ?????????????

WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL ACTION THAT TAKES PLACE ON SCREEN?

WHAT ARE YOUR CHARACTERS INTERNAL DEMONS?

WHAT ARE THEY STRUGGLING WITH? 

THIS RELATES TO YOUR STORIES THEME. 

HOW DOES YOUR CHARACTER INTERACT WITH OTHER CHARACTERS?

DO THEY REACT TO THE HERO AND VILLAIN THE SAME? 

WITH ANGER? 

VIOLENCE? 

SILENCE? 

ELEMENT OF DRAMA

Element of Drama 

Dramatic conflict: Core question, who vs. who?

 Characters: protagonist, antagonist
   
        Setting: locations, place

               Plot: The order of the story
   
                     Theme: What the audience learns.

                             Dialog: What the characters say.

ANTHROPOLOGY

1. Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present. To understand the full sweep and complexity of cultures across all of human history, anthropology draws and builds upon knowledge from the social and biological sciences as well as the humanities and physical sciences.

" THE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF."

STORIES MUST BE PLAUSIBLE

PERSONIFICATION

CLASS REVIEW

Today in class.....

Topic: Storytelling

The importance of the mathematical concept in a story.

What to expect in our future....

                               Population inflation in the Bay Area

                         In life one key element is actually really important that is storytelling.

Reference to The Production Packet handout.

Organization  in production is necessary and a priority.

Key component  is Attention Span and Age.

The ability is within your focus when given lectures and keynotes.

Review future projects

                            Sound in this industry and experiments.

Two major projects screenplay  and development.

       Look forward to sculpt the story.

           Look forward to creating storyboards.

Reference to director of the industry and his opinion on storytelling.

There is money in storytelling.

 To be able to communicate to another person your vision is amazing. Finding the correct and majestic art in a story is golden. 

Structure
          Basic structure
          Identify key elements
Elements

Story Analysis
           Analyze a video
           Identify key elements
Screenwriting

Group Discussion

        Pair up with other classmates to discuss Topic.  

GLAD TO BE BACK IN CLASS!

Today is the end of a wonderful vacation. It seemed almost to long. I am glad to be back on track with a fresh new start. Happy New Years to everyone hope you had a great time. I am excited to learn the proper ways to write. I am also ready to get in the lab and broadcast room. The major things I recall learning is pre-production and the format of the paper work. There are some areas that I know will become easier to understand.