LO1 - Understand scripted elements for a range of media products.
Features of Scripts
Sluglines - This is the scene heading that shows where the scene takes place. It should be a simple and direct way of setting the scene including whether it is INT. or EXT., which room it is in and the time of day. The scene number is present at the beginning of the line and an * is used to indicate a scene added in later.
Action - This sets the scene, describes the setting and introduces the characters. This is written in the present tense and wrote in an active voice not a passive one.
Character Names - These are always in capital letters. They can be introduced with their age and description. If a name is not given to them a description can be given instead eg. ANGRY MAN and indicates that someone is about to speak. They are above the dialogue and are centralised.
Dialogue - A generic term regarding when anybody speaks. This can be a monologue or a conversation between two or more characters. This also refers to when a character can be heard and not seen (not a voiceover) The dialogue is a few inches into each side but not centralised.
Parentheticals - Brackets used to give more information about a character says or does something. These are short and to the point to give a clear attitude. These are often rare as it can usually be inferred on how to say something from the content of the dialogue.
Extensions - These are placed to the right of the character to denote how it will appear to the audience (eg. off screen)
Transitions - intended far to the right showing where a transition is (cut to, fade to)
Shots - these are formatted like sluglines, capitalised and to the left. These have a line before and after and show the reader that the focal point of the scene has changed.(POV, REVERSE ANGLE, INSERT). Insert is used to focus in on something crucial to a scene - such as a note.
Layout of Scripts
Language Of Scripts
Modes of Address - the ways in which relations between addresser and addressee are shown within a text. This is the way that the producer of the text makes assumptions about the audience in order to directly target the reader (adverts do this very clearly.) This can be informal where it is very talkative and chatty between characters of similar age and status (loose women) or formal where the language used is instructional based to educate the audience in news or non-fiction programmes (government announcement).
Point of View - This is a different mode of address where first person may be used to show their character's point of view. This can be shown in other pieces where there is no 'I' and no sense of someone speaking (eg. a guide).
Directness - This is whether the mode of address directly addresses the audience as they are speaking to them or if they are just watching. TV dramas would not have any direct address as the drama ignores that it is being watched.
Elaborative Code - This is language with technical and specialist terms in a more formal way. These are more structurally complex with less repetition to give the maximum amount of information. They are less predictable and more unique in order to target the elite and high brow entertainment. Any words can be used so it can be more creative and subtle. eg. complex poems
Restrictive Code - This is informal and easy to understand, they can be easily picked up and are repeated and similar within style. It is associated with pop culture and low brow entertainment such as daytime tv. However, this can limited the range of creativity as language must be kept easy to understand.
Overall, scripts use a restrictive code in order to be easily understood and clear within the action. Elaborative code can be found within INT or 'A beat' but this is only used to give more explanation when needed. Action is written in the present tense with no direct address and no clear speaker. Formality is fairly intermediate in order to capture the idea and impression that the script is intended to make. Dialogue's formality depends on the character and what suits them best.
Three-Act Structure
Three Act Structure is when the story line is divided into setup, confrontation and resolution. The climax takes place between act 2 and act 3. A major plot point leads to a change of act.
Act 1 - This is the act where the major characters of the story are introduced and the conflict that will move the story forward. Act 1 must present a strong hook to draw the reader in and ends with the first major plot point.
Act 2 - This is the act within which the longest half of the film happens. After everthing has been introduced, a confrontation must happen leading the writer to create a subplot. The stakes escalate and the main character realises what they must do leading to the second plot point.
Act 3 - This is the shortest act within the script where the character realises what they must do followed by a showdown and a conclusion. Any loose ends are tied up within Act 3 and any extra information about the character is given.
These examples of three-act structure show how it occurs over a film.
Angles of Articles
The angle of an article is how the story is told, the bias used and the opinions behind what is said. This is what is focused on more, how different views are given and favoured and what facts are given depending on the standpoint of the news company behind the article.
Comparing Angles of Articles
Fiction and Non-Fiction
Scripted Fiction Products
Doctor Who - creative writer, setting must be laid out, understanding what has already happened and the world the doctor lives in
Ackley Bridge - establishing the world and the script and what has already happened
It's A Sin - research into the AIDS crisis, studies of friends to make them seem normal
Twilight
The Serpent - drama based on real life events, research into what happened, protecting people's names
Scripted Non-Fiction Products
Cecil Hotel Netflix Documentary - research into what happened, finding people to interview, finding evidence
Seven Worlds, One Planet - input from other people about ecology and biology
Blue Planet
Pre-Production Features
Fiction - building set, costumes, where it is filmed, locations, casting, music
Non-Fiction - interviews, valid research, archive footage from what originally happened
Comparing Non-Fiction and Fiction Pre-Production Needs
Different Kinds of Scripts
Film Scripts
UK film scripts tend to be written in English with either informal or formal languge depending on the type and tone of the film and whether it is aimed at a niche or mainstream audience. The majoirty of fictional films within the UK tend to follow the three-act structure with small plotlines within this in order to increase the tension. A large majority of UK films are angled with a protagonist and an antagonist along with relatable and memorable characters. The scripts and locations for these films tend to be in the UK with a lot being based in London. On the page, character names are indented towards the centre and in capitals for all films with the dialogue being centrally aligned.
European film scripts are usually written in other languages depending on the country they orignate from such as France or Spain but can occasionally have a combination of languages including English. Similarly, they usually follow the three-act structure and tend to be based in a foreign country - either one of origin or another one within Europe. Compared to UK film scripts, Italian scripts are laid out by following the two column method in which one character is aligned left and the other is aligned right within paragraphs - but this is only used when only two people are interacting.
Worldwide films such as Bollywood film scripts are usually written in English originally and then translated into Hindi - usually leaving behind some form of mixed dialect. The rules of layout do not apply to these scripts in the way that Western film scripts follow them with the character name at the side with no specific indentations, italics or capitals used. Worldwide film scripts show themselves as more of a stage script to avoid having multiple scripts and have it so that the director and producer can understand.
TV Scripts
The writing style of a news broadcast needs to be formal, however remain in some aspects conversational. The main news channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 5 etc.) all share breaking news and stories in their own ways.
Being direct to the point is a way to keep the audience attracted and also showing images of what the report is about, helps the audience to become part of the story.
Soap operas consist of conversations, this makes it more realistic and relatable for the audience. As well as this drama is also included in the majority of episodes through an argument, disagreement and often worse things such as fights.
Documentary scripts vary, as they are based on real life situations. Documentaries including people can be planned out, a script be given out and used to record the voiceover or film an interview. However, documentaries based upon animals are different. As there is ideas of what can be filmed, it is not secure until it has been filmed. Therefore this means scripts for animal documentaries are produced after the filming side is complete. An idea of what to include and talk about will be useful to help ensure the correct videos are filmed, however most of the scripting work will be completed after filming.
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