Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect

by Johnson

• ISBN13: 9780240806419
• ISBN10: 0240806417
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-21
• Publisher: Elsevier Science

Summary

The beauty and power of any story lies in its ability to connect to the reader, listener, or observer. Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect is the first screenwriting guide to introduce connection as an essential, although essentially overlooked, aspect of creating stories for the screen and of the screenwriting process itself. Written with clarity and humor, this book teaches the craft of writing short screenplays by guiding the student through carefully focused writing exercises of increasing length and complexity. Eight award-winning student screenplays are included for illustration and inspiration. The text is divided into three parts. Part one focuses on preparing to write by means of exercises designed to help students think more deeply about the screenwriter's purposes; their own unique vision, material and process; and finally about what screenplays are at their simplest and most profound level--a pattern of human change, created from specific moments of change--discoveries and decisions. Part two teaches students how to craft an effective pattern of human change. It guides them through the writing and re-writing of "Five (Not So Easy) Pieces"--five short screenplays of increasing length and complexity--focusing on a specific principle of dramatic technique: The Discovery, The Decision, The Boxing Match, The Improbable Connection, and The Long Short Screenplay. Part Three presents the five screenplays used throughout the book to illustrate the dramatic principles that have been discussed, and includes interviews with the screenwriters, a look at where they are now and what they are doing, and brief discussion of how each film evolved. * Groundbreaking bookthat stresses human connection as the basis of a good screenplay -- not conflict* The only screenwriting book that includes a DVD that contains performances of the short films and screenplays that are featured in the book

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction: The Power and Importance of Human Connection	1	(6)
PART I Preparing to Write the Short Screenplay	7	(54)
Connecting to Purpose	9	(6)
Only Connect	9	(3)
The Screenplay Paradox	12	(3)
Connecting to Self	15	(8)
Le Menu	15	(5)
Depart the Donnee	20	(3)
Connecting to Process	23	(7)
The Space-Time Conundrum	23	(2)
Madness in Your Method	25	(2)
Creating Rituals	27	(1)
Taking Care of Yourself	28	(1)
Just Do It	29	(1)
Connecting to Screenplays	30	(20)
Surface and Deep Action	32	(1)
Making Change	33	(1)
The Mood Exercise	34	(2)
The Pearl in the Oyster	36	(1)
Emotional Flow	37	(1)
Everything You Need to Know You Can Learn From City Lights	38	(4)
Demystifying Format	42	(8)
Connecting to Collaboration	50	(11)
Top Ten Reasons to Write With a Partner	51	(1)
Finding the Right Writing Partner	52	(2)
The Space-Time Conundrum, The Sequel	54	(1)
Co-Drafting the Script	55	(2)
Dealing With Disagreements	57	(4)
PART II Five (Not So) Easy Screenplays	61	(66)
The Discovery	63	(15)
The First Screenplay---The Discovery	65	(3)
Choosing an Idea	68	(1)
Developing Character	69	(3)
Developing Story and Structure	72	(1)
Drafting the Screenplay	73	(1)
Rewriting the Screenplay	74	(4)
The Decision	78	(9)
The Second Screenplay---The Decision	78	(1)
Choosing an Idea	79	(1)
Developing Character	80	(3)
Developing Story and Structure	83	(1)
Drafting the Screenplay	84	(1)
Rewriting the Screenplay	85	(2)
The Boxing Match	87	(15)
The Third Screenplay---The Boxing Match	89	(1)
Choosing an Idea	90	(2)
Developing Character	92	(4)
Developing Story and Structure	96	(2)
Drafting the Screenplay	98	(3)
Rewriting the Screenplay	101	(1)
The Improbable Connection	102	(10)
The Fourth Screenplay---The Improbable Connection	105	(2)
Choosing an Idea	107	(1)
Developing Character	108	(1)
Developing Story and Structure	109	(1)
Drafting the Screenplay	110	(1)
Rewriting the Screenplay	111	(1)
The Long Short Screenplay	112	(15)
The Fifth Screenplay---The Long Short Screenplay	112	(1)
Choosing an Idea	113	(3)
Developing Character	116	(2)
Developing Story and Structure	118	(3)
Drafting the Screenplay	121	(3)
Rewriting the Screenplay	124	(3)
PART III Seven Screenplays That Make It Look Easy	127	(148)
Kosher	129	(8)
Aimee Barth
My Josephine	137	(12)
Barry Jenkins
A Work in Progress	149	(10)
Wes Ball
Lena's Spaghetti	159	(29)
Rachel A. Witenstein
Cool Breeze and Buzz	188	(21)
Lani Sciandra
The Making of ``Killer Kite''	209	(30)
Matt Stevens
Robert S. Gray
Slow Dancin' Down the Aisles of the Quickcheck	239	(34)
Thomas Wade Jackson
Conclusion	273	(2)
Appendix A Available Screenwriting Software	275	(2)
Appendix B Films Referenced	277	(2)
Appendix C Further Reading	279	(4)
Index	283

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