[FIRST YEAR] Storytelling: Script to Screen
Covered today:
- Logline
- WALL-E Script to Screen video
- How to format a script (Details)
- Writing Script for Story
Logline
Example
Setting (time / place) + protagonist + struggle (with antagonist) + (Death) stake / goals.
My Rough Logline
Small River in a park (setting), a white Bichon [Protagonist] is out for a walk and falls into the river but can't swim [Struggle]. The Bichon can't get out and struggles. Will she sink or swim (stakes / goals).My Finalised Logline
In a park (setting), a small Bichon [Protagonist] is out for a walk and falls into a river but can't swim. [Struggle] will she sink or swim. Will someone save her. (Stakes / goal).
Characters
|
Setting
|
Story
|
Bichon -
Crystal
Border -
Sox
Duck -
Frank
|
Park
River
|
Bichon
falls in Duck saves dog but Bichon close to death thought it
saw border
|
WALL-E Script to Screen
All Pixar Script to Screen
;Details of a Script
Formatting
When formatting a script: the font always has to be COURIER 12pt; Scene headings are always in capitals – abbreviations should always be used; Character names should always be capitalised when first introduced and always above dialogue.Scene Headings
- Interior / Indoors - ( INT )
- Exterior / Outdoors - ( EXT )
- Location
- Time Of Day
Example
INT. Log Cabin -
Night
Action
Animation tends to be more visual, and therefore descriptive. When writing your action you may need to write more than you would a live action scene, as you need to help the animator understand what is happening and needs to be animated.Therefore - Rule of Thumb is 1½ Pages = 1 screen minute
EXT. DESERT CLIFF TOP - DAY
COYOTE chases the ROADRUNNER over the cliff and falls into the canyon.
Animation Script Example
EXT. DESERT CLIFF TOP - DAY
The COYOTE scrambles after the ROADRUNNER, his legs a blur, running right off the end of a cliff. As the ROADRUNNER sticks his tongue out and BEEPS at him, the COYOTE stops over thin air. The COYOTE looks into camera with a loud GULP and drops like a rock.
Writing Camera Direction
Generally you should avoid describing too much camera / editing direction in your script - but some key directions you can utilise are:
Transitions:
|
Camera Movement
|
FADE IN or OUT:
DISSOLVE TO:
ANGLE ON:
INTERCUT:
|
PULL BACK
ZOOM IN
PAN
|
Shot Types:
POV
CLOSE UP( CU )
Dialogue
Dialogue is tabbed in from side Character speaking is Centered and Capitalised Acting Direction for voice or subtitles is in Parentheses O.S – Off Screen V.O. – Voice Over
