I read the ‘Raindance Writers Lab’ and it gave me some insights and help on how to create my script. Now that I have researched all the components needed for my script I now needed to look at such things as how to structure a script and what other things besides my idea goes into the script. I’m going to explain the elements of the book that seemed most important to me, and at the end I will review what I thought of the book and how it has helped me when it comes to creating my screenplay.
The first thing the book talks about is ‘Seven Elements’ you need for your script. The seven steps are as followed:
· Entertainment - The script needs to be entertaining. Screenwriters need to come up with interesting ideas to make a good screenplay and also impress crew members to use their script to make it into a feature.
· Commerce – Screenwriters need to keep in mind that it’s not just the crew that is involved and get paid. But also all other people that need to get paid for example the people behind the scenes such as lawyers.
· Contrivance – This means bringing something together. It’s important that the script is brought together, so we as reader are interested to read on and understand the further story. This can be simply known as different scenes. Each scene comes together, creating the story.
· Peeping Tom – We as readers are intrigued with feelings and other elements of people that are not ourselves. Characters must always be intriguing.
· Maximise – As a screenwriter you need to make sure your screenplay is maximised to the best if your standard.
· Hollywood – This explains that people starting off scripts should look into Hollywood films. The author explains that there is more to Hollywood than fame and fortune but also the companies and make good films and etc. He explains that watching Hollywood films are a great way to help excel in writing. And this explains how much scripts are needed in Hollywood productions and how important they are.
· Audience – It’s not just about knowing the audience for your screenplay, but also knowing what other crew members are doing too. For example, the author explains how the director and the screenwriter have a different audience. The directors audience is a million people going to see the film but a screenwriters audience is the person reading the script for the first time. It’s easier for the director because his creation is visual. It’s harder to persuade your audience when it’s only written on paper.
The next few parts of the book is how to get started on writing a screenplay. The author firstly talks about simply planning your idea before creating the actual screenplay. In the book, this is otherwise known as a Blueprint. The author explains how the Blueprint contains everything that needs to go within the script, of course the main idea, but also everything within that like characters and setting. The author shows us a technique to describe your screenplay in twenty five words or less and he also then goes on to explain how to generally add to your blueprint. I found the steps very simple to follow and he uses lots of exercises to get your started and they really help you out. I especially liked looking at the high concept exercise and trying it myself. They are also very enjoyable to have a look at even if you don’t do it 100 percent correct the first time.
The author then goes on to talk about story structures. I already know how my story is going to be structured. I found it quite easy to structure when it came to putting down my idea. But when I read this section of the book I found that I wouldn’t end it being quite ready yet to start working on my screenplay. The author talks about a ‘3 Act Structure’:
· Act One = Setup
· Act Two = Chain of conflict
· Act Three = Resolution
I used this quickly to see if it structured my idea so far. screenplay I didn’t know how much it helped me structure mine. I’m sure I will make changes on my screenplay and I will keep using this technique until I find a structure that works. The chapter also gives you tips on what to add in places like the beginning, middle and end. So overall I found this chapter the most useful so far.
The book also talks about characters. I really wanted to look into this because I don’t feel like my character is fully developed. It gives you different subheadings like how to choose traits for you character and how to make the appeal to not just you but others.( I always have to keep in mind this isn’t for me. I came up with an idea I liked and a subject matter I find interesting but now I have to think about how I’m going to impress others with my idea.) One thing I have always enjoyed doing is giving my characters a full life for example what their family life is like, how they feel etc. We may not see it in a short film but it’s always nice to develop them. It makes you feel in touch with them and it is also good just in case you make more films/stories consisting of them. I like how this book encourages you to do that.
The book goes beyond creating the actual screenplay. It also summarizes how to market it. For example the book has a chapter about preparing a good pitch. What I like about the book is how it tells you how to professionally pitch for example at a pitch meeting. It doesn’t just show you how to succeed but also what to expect and how a pitch meeting is meant to be structured. The book also talks about pitching tools and tips for when it comes to you pitching. The tips that the author give are actually very helpful and not knowing these I would of probably done all the things he told me not to do.
There are lots of other things I find important about this book. I find mostly every chapter in this book important to especially people who are just starting out with screenplays. But that last point I want to touch on in this review that I found more than helpful was a few of the last chapters talking about the life of a screenwriter, and golden rules to remember once you get started. The chapters talks about things that I need to keep in mind when I am writing the script. One really important aspect of a screenplay is genre, and this is something the chapter talks about. It’s only a small paragraph but it gives you the helpful tip to learn the genre inside and out, which I completely agree with. Luckily I chose two genres that I am already quite aware of, but there is always more to learn. It gives you mental tips as well, and explains how important it is to have creativity. I can completely relate to this. When it comes to the end the chapters then talk about golden rules you must remember, now you have had help from a professional.
· Quantity not Quality
· Discipline
· Reject rejection
Evaluating everything I have looked at from this book. It’s so compelling for people that want to go into the screenwriting industry. It has taught me so much from being confident in my work to learning new techniques to make things better. The book has helped me realise all the resources I need for my screenplay. Always going back and getting help I think makes you stronger, and will be using this book when it comes to creating my screenplay.
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