Film/TV1 – Reflection & Analysis 2 – Question 2

Select from one of the readings, up to but not including Week 5, and briefly describe two points that you have taken from it. Points that excite you, something that was completely new to you. 

I’m going to start with a point that excites me. One of the readings from week one was titled “Getting an Idea” and was written by Robin Plunkett. It’s pretty straightforward in it’s concept; simple demonstrating the ways in which ideas can be developed and created – even including statements from filmmakers ‘reflecting on the starting points of various projects’ (page 1).
Why did this excite me? Simply because of the way it gives me a bit of hope! So many times I start an idea, then stop thinking it’s not good enough; or sometimes writers block just doesn’t seem to cease! But as Roman Polanski said (as pointed out in the reading), you can create an idea from simply discussing what you yourself would like to see – what kind of emotions, feelings, characters etc. You don’t have to have the plot all finalised before you start actually writing. As Plunkett points out, we have to “…allow for initial impulses and ideas that are not necessarily rooted in literature and theatre”. (page 1)

Now, a point that was completely new to me. That would have to come from Week Two’s ‘Script Layout Guide’ by Diane Cook (2007). For some in this course, I feel as though reading and drafting a script come very naturally to them. However, as someone who is simply a writer of stories (novel stories), scriptwriting was a TOTAL new concept for me. (Something that among all the filmmakers of my degree I am slightly ashamed to admit). Nevertheless, this document was really helpful. Basically, it’s just a SCRIPT FORMATTING & LAYOUT GUIDE and to be totally honest.. the whole document was completely new to me.
Instead of quoting the whole document (which is what I could do – that’s how new everything was) I am just going to highlight the Specifics section.
A script (generally speaking) “..will be single spaced, in 12-point courier font…It will comprise scene headings (sometimes called slug lines), scene descriptions (or action passages), and dialogue. It may also contain occasional technical terms/directions, along with transitional directions where necessary to shift between scenes. It will be written entirely in present tense” (1)
I think it’s safe to say that these few pieces of paper will be my scriptwriting bible.