screenplay

In your groups, share story lines you would like to explore. Decide which event you will write about. There are three parts to a movie: ACT I: THE SETUP • ACT II: THE CONFLICT • ACT III: THE RESOLUTION

ACT I: THE SETUP
Introduces the characters, the dramatic premise, the situation, and establishes the relationships between the main character and the other people who inhabit the landscape of his or her world.

ACT II: THE CONFLICT
During the second act, the main character encounters obstacle after obstacle that keeps him from achieving his or her dramatic need. What does he want to win, gain, get, or achieve during the screenplay? What drives him/her forward through the action? What does the main character want? What is standing in his way?

ACT III: THE RESOLUTION
What is te solution of the screenplay? Does your main character live or die? Succeed or fail? Marry the man or woman or not? Act III resolves the story but is not necessarily the ending.

CHARACTER is the essential foundation of your screenplay. It is the heart of your story. Who is the main character? In your screenplay you must note how you are going to convey their personality.

How are they dressed? • How do they act? • How do they talk? • Are they confident or insecure?

Are they rich or poor? • How do we know that? • What do they do for a living? • How do we know that?

How do the other people see them? • What is their dramatic need?

THE SETTING of your screenplay becomes vital once you begin shooting it. Think about the mood you want to set in that scene.

•Is your scene supposed to be suspenseful? Romantic?

•Where can you set your scene and shoot it with the least amount of distractions?

•What are your limitations?

Begin working on your screenplay by creating a story board.

Your screenplay must reflect the time period in which they are set and must have elements of the time period. Remember that plays will be videotaped and; therefore, props and fashion should reflect the time period whenever possible.

Your screenplay must be typed and should include settings and stage directions.Your play may be acted out and videotaped in Curie's TV studio or may be done independently. Film must be recorded on a VHS tape or on a DVD.

Ms. Lara • English Department Curie High School • Chicago, IL teacher@mlara.com 773•535•2138 screenplay writing
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UNIT GOALS	ACTIVITIES
The goal of this unit is to expose students to the screenplay writing process. Students will use the material they learned this year and will write and produce their own film. Films will be viewed in class.	In your groups, share story lines you would like to explore. Decide which event you will write about. There are three parts to a movie: ACT I: THE SETUP • ACT II: THE CONFLICT • ACT III: THE RESOLUTION ACT I: THE SETUP Introduces the characters, the dramatic premise, the situation, and establishes the relationships between the main character and the other people who inhabit the landscape of his or her world. ACT II: THE CONFLICT During the second act, the main character encounters obstacle after obstacle that keeps him from achieving his or her dramatic need. What does he want to win, gain, get, or achieve during the screenplay? What drives him/her forward through the action? What does the main character want? What is standing in his way? ACT III: THE RESOLUTION What is te solution of the screenplay? Does your main character live or die? Succeed or fail? Marry the man or woman or not? Act III resolves the story but is not necessarily the ending. CHARACTER is the essential foundation of your screenplay. It is the heart of your story. Who is the main character? In your screenplay you must note how you are going to convey their personality. How are they dressed? • How do they act? • How do they talk? • Are they confident or insecure? Are they rich or poor? • How do we know that? • What do they do for a living? • How do we know that? How do the other people see them? • What is their dramatic need? THE SETTING of your screenplay becomes vital once you begin shooting it. Think about the mood you want to set in that scene. •Is your scene supposed to be suspenseful? Romantic? •Where can you set your scene and shoot it with the least amount of distractions? •What are your limitations? Begin working on your screenplay by creating a story board. Your screenplay must reflect the time period in which they are set and must have elements of the time period. Remember that plays will be videotaped and; therefore, props and fashion should reflect the time period whenever possible. Your screenplay must be typed and should include settings and stage directions.Your play may be acted out and videotaped in Curie's TV studio or may be done independently. Film must be recorded on a VHS tape or on a DVD. Student screenplays will be graded according to a rubric
STATE GOALS
3.A.5 Produce grammatically correct documents using standard manuscript specifications for a variety of purposes and audiences. 3.B.5 Using contemporary technology, produce documents of publication quality for specific purposes and audiences; exhibit clarity of focus, logic of organization, appropriate elaboration and support and overall coherence 4.B.5a Deliver planned and impromptu oral presentations, as individuals and members of a group, conveying results of research, projects or literature studies to a variety of audiences
.LINKS
Instructions for screen play writing
The Screenplay Paradigm
Screenwriter's Utopia
How to Write a Screenplay
Sample Storyboard
Writing a Great Screenplay