Quiz 11

Question 1

Ava DuVernay

Answer 1

• Origin + Selma
• 13 –> docu about the ramifications of the 13th amendment leading to mas incarceration

Question 1

Nicole Williams

Answer 1

Administrative assistant
animated film development
Dreamworks
Worked on Wild Robot + Dogman

Question 2

Nicole Williams on pitching

Answer 2

research and look at company brand
- dreamworks = comedy w heart
- disney = heart w comedy
having a variety of sample
passion for animation

Question 3

the dropout: from podcast to tv series (compelling how)

Answer 3

• mixed a famous fraud + romance
• features vivid, flawed characters and iconic picturesque settings
• becomes a complex narrative
• explore timeless themes: people who promise thing that are often too good to be true, with a twist that she’s a female entrepreneur

Question 4

an FTV Pitch communicates…

Answer 4

Basic content information
and
Basic appeal information

Question 5

Basic content information

Answer 5

• title
• log line
• “its like sentence”
• key details of the main characters + conflicts

Question 6

log line

Answer 6

1-2 sentences explaining the show in a nutshell (~25 words)
- main characters/protagonists
- context
- inciting incident
- main conflict/antagonist

potentially genre or goal but NO resolution (spoilers)

Question 7

basic appeal information

Answer 7

• timeliness of the story
• fit at the network where you’re pitching —> expected audience

Question 8

“its like sentence”

Answer 8

a brief summary of what the film or show is like, via comparison to other well-known films
- communicate genre + emotional tone
- must start with “it’s like”

Question 9

Network fit means…

Answer 9

network identity, network demographics, premium cable platform identity

Question 10

HBO Max identity

Answer 10

• first known for second-run movies
• then became “prestige TV”
• often violent/sexual contect
• viewers = well educated and high income (varied ages)

Question 11

Hulu

Answer 11

• began as streaming site for old TV shows VOD
• own shows + shows from networks like FX
• avg age = 31

Question 12

amazon prime

Answer 12

• past film collections for rental
• produces its own shows (diverse)
• ex: transparent, the underground railroad, and As We See It

Question 13

brains in screenwriting

Answer 13

left = analytic (structure screenplay)

right = intuitive (develop characters, dialogue, pictures)

Question 14

screenplay

Answer 14

the written story created in the early development phase of a film project
- used to get main players on board

Question 15

premise

Answer 15

your original story is narrowed down to just one or two sentences
- named hero
- want of hero
- what prevents their success
- ending

Question 16

act 1

Answer 16

establishes the real world and embarks the hero on their journey

the set yp

hero, setting, time period, genre, status, central question, incident, first turning point

Question 17

act 2

Answer 17

raise stakes and challenge hero
character growth, deeper relations
mid point
darkest hour

Question 18

act 3

Answer 18

“ticking clock” or “race to the finish”

hero is faced with their greatest challenge and loose ends are wrapped up

the climax - central ? answered

conclusion + theme

Question 19

narrative devices to manipulate time

Answer 19

flashback
flashforeward
set-up/payoff
montage
series of shots

Question 20

character development?

Answer 20

1. character arc
2. avoid stereotype trap –> fixed image of a particular type of person

AVOID hitting it on the nose –> explicit communication of feelings/thoughts

Question 21

Across 1614 creators

Answer 21

10 are female directors
42 are female writers
300 are female producers
10 are female composers

only one composer and one speaking character were non-binary in 2021

Question 22

Timeliness in Screenwriting

Answer 22

Morning show using a broken script to make the show more relevant to current events (george floyd + pandemic)

Question 23

screenwriter’s role in TV

Answer 23

staff writer
story editor (hired + contracted) –> original script for 1 episode
freelancer
showrunner

Question 24

showrunner

Answer 24

executive producer and lead writer
- most coveted role in TV
- oversee script selection, writing, casting, visual look, etc

Question 25

screenwriter’s role in film

Answer 25

writing on spec
writing under contract
rewriting (scott frank)

Question 26

scott frank

Answer 26

well known writer (and showrunner of the Queen’s Gambit
- script doctor for Saving Private Ryan and the Hunger Games
- “Vantriliquist” for adapting his sty;e to the needs of the script
- $300,000 a week (?)
- still gets rejected sometimes
- New: Mr. Spade

Question 27

Basic screenplay format

Answer 27

Slug Line
Action description
Dialogue

all scripts user 12 pt courier font

Question 28

Slug Line

Answer 28

Brief description of each scene’s location IN ALL CAPS

INT/EXT, location, time of day

Question 29

what is genre

Answer 29

the different categories into which we group films and tv shows (and other media) based on shared characteristics established by previous works in the genre

Question 30

world building through genre

Answer 30

“rules” of the world
stories and plotlines
character types
settings
visual image

Question 31

worldbuilding sci-fi

Answer 31

futuristic + space
special powers, robots, elders, warriors
morality (science bd mysticism)
high tech, exotic sets

Question 32

worldbuilding in melodramas

Answer 32

• women attracted to dangerous men + dysfunctional families
• strong female lead, romantic vulnerability
• luxurious sets
• idealized lifestyles
• neo-noir, bold colors, strong shadows