Writing Your Screenplay

by Dethridge, Lisa

• ISBN13: 9781741140835
• ISBN10: 1741140838
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-01
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Summary

This guide to film writing is an ideal introduction to the craft for would-be screen scribes or film buffs who want to learn how it is done. A broad introduction to writing for the screen is provided, along with a structured system for creating strong screenplays, based on the author's successful online college course. This book goes beyond the typical formulaic approach, offering insights into the classic mythic structures as well as contemporary storytelling techniques that underlie good screenwriting. The secrets to crafting cohesive plots, likeable characters, compelling action, and believable dialogue are all explained. Also provided is guidance on how to create strong scenes and a complete visual world that will engage audiences.

Author Biography

Lisa Dethridge has 20 years of experience as a writer and teacher of media communications at the American Film Institute, New York University, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Los Angeles Writers' Program. She has served as a consultant for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Australian Film Finance Corporation, CBS, E! Entertainment Television, Fox, Granada TV, MTV, and Warner. She is the author and codesigner of an online screenwriting program for the Australian Film, TV and Radio School.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(13)
Why write for the screen?	1	(6)
Essential tools for screenplay development	7	(3)
Creating a screenwriting folio	10	(4)
Chapter 1: Cinema creates a parallel universe	14	(26)
The demands of art, the industry and the market	16	(2)
Understanding the industry	18	(1)
The basic economy of film	19	(2)
What makes your audience tick?	21	(2)
What makes a good story?	23	(2)
Connecting with an audience	25	(2)
How to create a timely story	27	(2)
Writing the 'period' film	29	(1)
Finding the 'hook'	29	(3)
Genre defines audience expectations	32	(2)
Put a twist on familiar themes	34	(1)
The producer's big questions: Who cares? and So what?	35	(3)
Exercise 1: Creating your screenplay folio	38	(2)
Chapter 2: Know the rules before you break them	40	(17)
The screenplay is a coded document	41	(6)
The four Ps	47	(7)
How the four Ps interlock	54	(1)
Exercise 2: The log book	55	(2)
Chapter 3: The psychology of the protagonist	57	(19)
Three acts: The beginning, middle and end	58	(1)
Marking out the protagonist's journey	59	(1)
Rules governing the protagonist	60	(2)
Character backstory	62	(4)
Character motivation	66	(1)
The realms of the protagonist	67	(1)
Conflict as the basic building block of drama	68	(1)
Support roles and subplots	69	(3)
Summary	72	(2)
Exercise 3: Character psychology	74	(2)
Chapter 4: Time is the basic building block	76	(20)
Magical and musical elements	77	(1)
Chronology of the plot	78	(3)
Plot logic	81	(1)
Organising your chronology	82	(2)
The unity of space and time	84	(3)
Exposition and backstory	87	(5)
Historical epics	92	(3)
Exercise 4: plot chronology	95	(1)
Chapter 5: Devices for manipulating story chronology	96	(25)
Locations and setting	98	(1)
Montage	98	(7)
Flashbacks and flash-forwards	105	(4)
Deadlines, ticking clocks and high-stakes dilemmas	109	(3)
Parallel action	112	(1)
Circular or non-linear chronology	113	(7)
Exercise 5: Genre and chronology	120	(1)
Chapter 6: Your premise governs three acts	121	(26)
Premise reflects the central concept and themes	122	(2)
How a good premise informs the plot	124	(3)
How to identify your premise	127	(1)
The three-act structure	128	(2)
How to organise turning points	130	(6)
Examples from well-known films	136	(8)
Exercise 6: Premise and protagonist psychology	144	(3)
Chapter 7: Scene construction	147	(10)
Scene structure	147	(3)
Cut to the chase	150	(2)
Clarify and repeat key details	152	(1)
The need for repetition	152	(1)
Each scene builds your premise	153	(2)
Your screenplay isn't a novel	155	(1)
Exercise 7: Scene construction	156	(1)
Chapter 8: Dialogue and characterisation	157	(12)
Characterisation	157	(1)
Stage directions	158	(4)
Costume	162	(1)
Dialogue	163	(5)
Exercise 8: Dialogue	168	(1)
Chapter 9: Plotlines, subplots and secondary characters	169	(20)
Complex plot structure	169	(3)
Subplots	172	(1)
Interweaving plotlines A and B	173	(3)
Secondary characters	176	(1)
Characters and point-of-view	177	(2)
Character archetypes and anthropology	179	(2)
Chris Vogler's Twelve Steps	181	(6)
Exercise 9: Biographies for key support roles	187	(2)
Chapter 10: Act one structure	189	(11)
The seven-step outline: The road-map of your protagonist's journey	190	(2)
Balancing the first and last turning points	192	(1)
Act one-step 1: The set-up-establish the protagonist and their world	193	(1)
Act one-step 2: The inciting incident	194	(1)
Act one-step 3: The act one turning point	195	(2)
Exercise 10: Your set-up	197	(3)
Chapter 11: Act two structure	200	(13)
Act two: The long march forward	200	(2)
Act two-step 4: The mid-point	202	(6)
Act two-step 5: Act two turning point	208	(3)
Exercise 11: Keep act two moving forward	211	(2)
Chapter 12: Act three structure	213	(16)
Act three-step 6: The climax, or act three turning point	214	(1)
Act three-step 7: The final resolution	215	(6)
Examples of how to conclude your story	221	(6)
Exercise 12: The climax	227	(2)
Chapter 13: Fleshing out your screenplay	229	(12)
Fleshing out the contours of your seven-step outline	229	(1)
The plot breakdown	230	(6)
The scene breakdown	236	(1)
Summary and conclusions	237	(3)
Exercise 13: The scene breakdown	240	(1)
References and recommended reading	241	(2)
Filmography	243	(5)
Index	248