Filmmaking Basics/Formatting the Script/Analyze the story

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1. What is the Location?

 * Obviously, the story takes place outside a theater. That is easy!!!
 * We do not actually say which theater. In actuality, we will use a 3D matte painting to turn our humble movie set into a theater on another galaxy far, far away.
 * For now, we just write down:


 * Scene Introduction (INTERIOR vs. EXTERIOR)?
 * Exterior which is abbreviated EXT.


 * The Location?
 * Simply say Movie Theater! for the location.


 * The Time?
 * The time will be Night since most movies end at night. However, we will probably film at dusk so we'll have better lighting.



2. Who are the characters in this story?

 * There are only two speaking roles in our movie. Extra people such as people in the background are never listed in a movie script.


 * The old and wise person will be simply called OLD PERSON.


 * The young person will be called YOUNG PERSON. We don't want to limit our choice to one gender.



3. What is the dialog for this story?
We need to write down just the words that are spoken. This is the meat of the script.


 * The young person says:
 * That was a great movie... but I don't understand one thing.


 * The older person says:
 * Hum, what's that?


 * The younger person says:
 * I don't understand how anyone can be seduced by the dark side.


 * The older person says:
 * What computer do you use at home?


 * The younger person says:
 * A Macintosh.


 * The older person says:
 * And what computer does your father use at work?


 * The younger person says:
 * Seduced by the Dark Side!!!



4. What are the actions in this story?
The actions are what goes on in the story that is not dialog. For a movie script, this must be very short. Notice how much of the story is eliminated and not included in the actions.

At the beginning of the scene, all you need to say is


 * Action:
 * An old and wise person and a young person stand in front of a movie poster.


 * Action:
 * They begin to walk away.



5. What is the ending transition for this story?
At the end of the scene, all you need to say is:


 * Transition:
 * Fade Out



Done!
That is all the information you need to type the script. Right? Maybe not! For the animated version, we need more. See the note to the right.


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Analyze the Story
Here is the information you will need to type the script:
 * The location
 * The time of day (Day, Night)
 * The names of the characters
 * The dialog
 * The action
 * The parenthetical descriptions for the dialog
 * The transitions

Re-read the story. As you read the story, write down this information so you will be ready to type the script. Then check with the answers on the left.


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"Warning, Will Robinson!"

Did we forget something?

Young Person: "Hummmm!

In the script for the animated version, we also need to include any vocal sound effects. If a person says, "Hummmm" or "Ahhhh", we need to include that in the animated script. When recording the dialog for the animated script, you must be very specific.


 * 1. When the young person thinks, do we need a "Humm"sound?


 * 2. When the old person thinks, do we need a "Humm" sound?


 * 3. And when the Old Person smiles, do we need a "Ahhh" sound?

The answer is "yes" for the animated version of our movie.


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The Next Page

 * Continue this lesson on Page 3 - Learn Final Draft


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