Week 1 Flashcards
A visualization that gives us a strong sense of the PLACE, MOOD, STYLE, TEXTURE and THEME
The eye is quicker at grasping details than the ear;
Use of METAPHOR (telling us something about the theme through the opening images)
“Back to the Future”: clocks
The Set-Up: Opening Image
Tells us all the vital information we need to get the story started;
Who are the main characters?
What is the story about?
It is designed to give us a clue about the SPINE or the direction of the story;
Is it a comedy? Drama? A farce? A tragedy?
The Set-Up (catalyst and central question)
An event that starts the story;
Something that begins the action of the story;
The first main push that gets the plot going;
Gets the main character going;
An action;
A piece of information;
A situation;
The inciting incident.
The Set-Up: Catalyst
Every story asks a question in the SET UP that will be answered at the CLIMAX.
A problem is introduced, a situation that needs to be resolved is introduced
Once the question is raised, everything that happens in the story relates to that question.
The Set-Up: Raise the central question
When is the SET UP answered?
Climax
It turns the action around in a new direction;
It raises the central question again and makes us wonder about the answer;
It is often a moment of decision or commitment on the part of the main character (ie. “Let’s go get him”;
It raises the stakes;
It pushes the story into the next act;
It takes us into a new arena and gives us a sense of a different focus for the action (ie. possibly a change of location)
ACT 1 DEVELOPMENT
1st TURNING POINT:
Divides the film in half giving a change in direction for the second half of the act, while still keeping the overall focus of Act Two
Gives variety, change, often an external moment in plot or an internal moment in character
Often mistaken for 1st turning point; NOT ALL films have this
ACT 2
MID-POINT SCENE:
The ______ usually happens from 1 – 5 minutes from the end of a (feature-length) film script, followed by a short ______ that ties up all loose ends.
The ______ is the end of the story: it’s the ______. It’s the moment when the problem is resolved, the CENTRAL QUESTION is answered, the tension lets up – and we know that everything is all right.
CLIMAX and RESOLUTION:
EACH ACT HAS __________
A DIFFERENT FOCUS.
What are the three most important script elements?
Structure, structure and structure.
Sets the story in motion
Catalyst
series of events
Beat
Beats in a scene to beats in an act to beats of an act into beats of a film
Longest act in the film
ACT 2
Arranges financing
Responsible for overall making of film from idea to release
PRODUCER
A producer’s partner, domestic or foreign
CO-PRODUCER
An immediate assistant to the producer
When the producer is involved in the making of more than one film, the ______ may be charged with the making of one film
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER (LINE PRODUCER)
A person with financial influence (i.e. star, talent agent, studio chief, banker) without whose participation a film may not get made.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Executive officer for the producer; is charged with execution of all the producer’s plans, budgeting, personnel, scheduling, picking locations, serving as manager for all crews and departments.
UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER
Responsible for all creative aspects of filmmaking from script to fine cut - including - controlling the content and flow of the film’s plot, directing the performances of actors, organizing and selecting the locations in which the film will be shot, and managing technical details such as the positioning of cameras, the use of lighting and the timing and content of the film’s soundtrack.
DIRECTOR
A supplementary director for action scenes and scenes without dialogue which do not require the presence of the director.
2ND UNIT DIRECTOR
