Response to Movie Scripts 4/30

Response to FIVE Scripts

What’s the Point? To introduce you to the style and settings of different screenplays. You should choose scripts that interest you to use as models.

You will be analyzing the beginning pages of 5 different scripts and answering these following questions for each one. YOU DON’T HAVE TO READ THE WHOLE SCRIPT!!

1.Write down the title of the script.
2.What are the opening lines of the script (write down both the descriptive first scene of the first lines of dialogue)? Explain if they grab or do not grab your attention.
3. What is the setting (time and place)?
4. What is the mood (feeling of the script)?
5. Make a guess at what the theme (general message or meaning) might be.
6. What have you learned about the characters? Describe them the best you can.
7. What is the conflict?

CLICK HERE for the data base of MOVIE SCRIPTS!!!

Make sure you click on movie scripts at the bottom of the page!

Screenplay Outline due by end of period!!

Screenplay Outline (based on a short story, play or a new direction!!!)

Names:_______________________________________

Topic___________________________________Genre_________________
Theme_______________________________________________________
Working Title__________________________________________________

Screenplay Outline (Subject to change as you begin writing the play.)

Setting (time and place)





2 Characters & Descriptions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What is happening (general plot idea) in this screenplay?








What is the major struggle, conflict, or problem?


What will be the climax or turning point of this screenplay?







How might this screenplay end?

5+ Page Play Due Monday April 27th!!

Writing a Stage Play
(5-10 pages)
Due April 27th, Monday

Assignment

} You will write a One Act 5+ page stage play with a partner. This will be due Monday, April 27th.
} This will be written for high school students to possibly perform at school. Keep it appropriate or no credit.
} Five pages=Five minutes because of the way the play is formatted. Use Celtx—a free download to help you format your stage play and screenplay. See my blog for download information.

Elements of Your Play/Rubric (60 pts)

} ___(10 pt.) Well-written, revised & edited. Professional quality. Appropriate for high school performance.
} ___(10 pt.) Written for the stage/live performance—no special effects or complicated movie effects. Includes props and stage direction. Setting is clear and fits the play.
} ___(5 pt.) Hook—Gets right into the action. Grabs your audience’s attention.
} ___(10 pt.) Believable characters with authentic dialogue that flows well.
} ___(10 pt.) One dilemma/conflict that is climatic.
} ___(5 pt.) Has resolution or satisfactory ending.
} ___(10 pts) In play format. Use Celtx.
} The character list is not included in the 5 pages!

Sample Structure of the One Act Play

Act 1
} Setting
} Scene 1—hook the audience, establish mood, characters and conflict, rising action (beginning)
} Scene 2—climax and maybe falling action (middle)
} Scene 3—falling action and resolution (end)

You will have anywhere from 1-3 scenes for a 5+ page play. Don’t make the scenes too short because it is difficult to get actors on and off the stage quickly.

Play Format

Act 1

Setting:
Time and place. Mood. All written in present tense!

Scene 1
(description of scene in present tense)

Character 1 (laughs): Hello!

(action in present tense)

Character 2: Are you ready to go?

Etc.

Scene 2

Setting info in present tense.

Monday Progress Report on Play--April 20th

Progress Report of Monday’s Work—TURN THIS IN TODAY SO I CAN READ IT!
Due Monday, April 20th

1. Write about your strongest character in the play. Why is this character working? How is the dialogue?
2. Describe your conflict(s).
3. Double check to make sure this works on a stage with a live audience. No movie magic for this play! Save that for your screenplay. Will everything work on the stage? Explain.
4. What is really working?
5. What obstacles or challenges are you facing?
6. What did you get done today?
7. The play is due Monday, April 27th. What are your next steps?
8. Write down any of your screenplay ideas!

Play Outline--Due 4/9

Names:_______________________________________


Topic___________________________________Genre_________________
Theme_______________________________________________________
Working Title__________________________________________________


Play Outline (Subject to change as you begin writing the play.)

Setting (time and place)





2 Characters & Descriptions
(Limit your number of characters!)
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is happening (general plot idea) in this play? All action should be written with the stage and live performance in mind.









What is the major struggle, conflict, or problem?




What will be the climax or turning point of this play?







How might this play end?










Scene Ideas
Act 1

Scene 1












Scene 2











Scene 3

Celtx--Download this tool to help format your stage play

Down Formatting Tool for Stage Plays (also for your screenplay later)

http://celtx.com/download.html

Directions:
· Download English version of Celtx.
· Open it up.
· On Project Templates list open Theater.
· Act 1 Scene 1 will be on the screen.
· Place the cursor after Scene 1 and then…
· From the menu that says Act pull down and click on Stage Direction to type what will be happening on stage. Use present tense!
· From the menu pull down and click on Dialog to type in character dialog.
· This will help you format the play and will be easier for you later.
· Don’t forget to SAVE it!