The first three classes of the This is Serial studio were jam-packed with introductory lessons about breaking down a script and turning it into a visual representation.
The first two classes were hosted by Anna …, a producer, director and scriptwriter. She discussed what could make and break a script – themes, plot line, narrative structure, character development and dialogue – and how each could component could be done effectively. She ended the first class with separate activities for the creative writing students and media students to complete.
The creative writing and media students were to pair up, with the creative writing students made a script adaptation of a short story and then sending it off to us media students to create a mood board for what they wrote. As I created the mood board, this allowed for me to conceptually visualise the script I was given and turn it into my own adaptation – staying truthful to the text while giving it my own creative flair. This was a very important exercise to partake for breaking down a script and turning it into a film.
Other than displaying some of these scripts and their matching mood boards, the second class was based around breaking down a script and understanding the characters, their motives, and the story beats. Anna had the class look at part of the Woody Allen film script, Hannah and Her Sisters (1986). Breaking down this script was both beneficial to the scriptwriters and filmmakers, as it is important for both to completely understand how the script is so effective and what you can do to turn this into a visual piece by better understanding the story and characters. I wish to expand on my ability to break down these scripts, as it will help me and my group later to understand character development and plot turning points.
We adapted part of a script that a student had created in the third class. This allowed for us to work in certain roles on a ‘filmset’, in which I was first assistant director. Taking on these roles helped us to understand what each meant and what was required of them to make the production of a film flow. It allowed me to think specifically what a first assistant director would and wouldn’t do, and how this effected the production and other roles on set.
Through collaboration, I believe that we need to advance our abilities to work with and around others on a filmset. This includes better understanding the requirements of roles and organisation of film production. To do this, we will need to practice by creation and then evaluating both ourselves and others in the roles that they had taken on during that time. This will help to advance ourselves, others, and the way we work together on a filmset.
