Screenwriting

Today I also learned about screenwriting. Overall I learned:

Show it - don't tell it
Screenwriting is rewriting

The screenwriting process

Premise
Outline/treatment
Step outline
First draft
Rewrites

What are the essential parts to a good screenplay?

Strong theme (Messages and values)
Characters (Protagonist and antagonist) keep number of characters to a minimum
Genre
Conflict
Plot
Setting/location
Time period/frame
Structure/form

A short film tells a story over a short duration

Every moment counts. Everything in the film has to add to the story

You need:

A compelling story that engages an audience emotionally
Simple enough to be told over a short duration
Has to primarily be told through visuals
Something meaningful has to happen so protagonist changes from beginning to end (Audience need to identify with this)

Only focus on one event in the life of the protagonist, that event need to be one of the following:

First kiss
First argument in a relationship
First encounter with death
First day in school
New music and emotional links to songs
Challenging religion
Breakup
Overcoming prejudice

When coming up with an idea first think
Who is the protagonist?
What do they want?
What do they need to get it?
Who is stopping them?
What is at stake?

My strengths have never been in scriptwriting however after looking at it this way I feel confident enough to be able to write a script of my own. I also feel as though it will make me more understanding of the role of the scriptwriter which should reflect in my work as a cinematographer.

Going for a take

1. 1st AD checks camera and sound "Camera and sound set?"
2. Camera and sound say "Set" if all is good.
3. 1st AD asks if actors are ready
4. 1st AD asks for silence on set
5. 1st AD asks for Clapper Loader to move into frame
6. Clapper Loader moves clapper in front of actors eyes.
7. 1st AD shouts "turnover camera and sound"
8. Camera say "Rolling" and sound say "Speed"
9. 1st AD says "Mark it" and Clapper Loader marks it
10. 1st AD checks camera and sound "Camera and sound set?"
11. Camera and sound say "Set" if all is good.
12. Director shouts "Action"
13. Scene happens and at the end director shouts "Cut"
14. Camera and sound stop rolling.

BFI Film Academy

Why I am on the BFI Film Academy

I am on the BFI Film Academy because I want to develop my skills as a cinematographer as well as learn about other roles within the production process.

What I hope to achieve from this course

A firmer understanding of film and film production and also what is included in other roles within the production process.

Strengths

Good at teamwork
Camerawork
Editing
Independently making films and working loosely in other role
Making difficult decisions when it comes to editing out footage that is unnecessary yet is of amazing quality.

Weaknesses

Sound and soundtracking
Scriptwriting
Coming up with ideas initially

Challenge

My challenge for the Silver Arts Award is to improve my skills in other production roles. I also want to feel more confident in scriptwriting and soundtracking and also with coming up with ideas. In order to do this I want gain a greater understanding of what is included in roles such as sound artist, producer, first AD and scriptwriting. The BFI Film Academy is a great opportunity for me to complete this challenge.

I have been assigned the role of cinematographer on our film. Although I would say that I am a competent cinematographer I have already begun learning new things about operating a camera and framing shots. Before today I never knew how to go for a take professionally, today I learned that and came one step closer to completing my challenge.