SUPPLEMENTAL: THE STAR WARS

While we're conditioned to think that iconic hollywood films were perfect the first time the screenwriter made them, they too had difficulties.  Star Wars is so famous that most people don't know the final result was FAR different than George Lucas' first draft.  When you get a chance, read his first draft of the films treatment and screenplay.  It was originally titled "The Star Wars" and the characters played different roles.

Check out this article that has links to the treatment and 1st draft:
http://la-screenwriter.com/2014/11/06/george-lucass-treatment-and-first-draft-of-star-wars/


Recently, Dark Horse comics adapted the 1st draft into a graphic novel!  If your interested, check it out.

Here's an article from CNN about it:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/04/showbiz/tsw-star-wars-comic/

SUPPLEMENTAL: STAR WARS DESPECIALIZED DOCUMENTARY

And check out this cool infographic on how cool the Death Star is:
https://visual.ly/death-star-numbers

SUPPLEMENTAL: STAR WARS PRE 1977

While we're conditioned to think that iconic hollywood films were perfect the first time the screenwriter made them, they too had difficulties.  Star Wars is so famous that most people don't know the final result was FAR different than George Lucas' first draft.  When you get a chance, read his first draft of the films treatment and screenplay.  It was originally titled "The Star Wars" and the characters played different roles.

Check out this article that has links to the treatment and 1st draft:
http://la-screenwriter.com/2014/11/06/george-lucass-treatment-and-first-draft-of-star-wars/


Recently, Dark Horse comics adapted the 1st draft into a graphic novel!  If your interested, check it out.

Here's an article from CNN about it:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/04/showbiz/tsw-star-wars-comic/

SUPPLEMENTAL: TOP STUDIO HEADPHONES

Here is a review list of the top studio headphones on the planet!

http://www.wirerealm.com/guides/top-10-best-studio-headphones

SUPPLEMENTAL: 21 LESSONS IN LIGHTING FROM DEN LENNIE F-STOP ACADEMY

I received this really useful email from Director of Photography that I have taken classes from before about lighting.  Den Lennie from F-Stop Academy.  http://www.fstopacademy.com/

Mastering lighting will make the single biggest improvement to how your films look. What's more, get this right, and your showreel will stand out dramatically from the other 95% of aspiring film makers for whom what title they give themselves and what kit they use takes up most of their time.

You should feel proud that you are different because your desire and resolve to become better are what separates you.

Lighting is a very rewarding and creative process. So, lets look at the process and the 21 decisions you will be faced with, each time you walk into a new location.

What available light is present?
Is it a constant source?
What colour is the light?
What's the quality of the light?
What is the intensity of the light?
What are the environmental considerations with regards the ambient environment? e.g. are the walls dark, light, coloured?
How much control do I have over the available light?
Does the environment lend itself to my subject matter or do I need to shut out the ambient light and start from scratch?
What power is available?
What lighting tools do I have at my disposal?
How much time do I have?
How much resource do I have i.e. assistant, lighting gaffer, just me?
What is the style of the overall film? Am I shooting everything or just this segment? Do I need to match a 'house/programme style?
Do I have glass filters that I can access to manipulate the image? (most aspiring film makers overlook the importance of filters when lighting)
Am I lighting more than one person?
What lenses will I be using?
Will the camera be moving?
How large an area will the sequence be covering?
In what order will I light and shoot for maximum efficiency? (note here: the client doesn't really care about how much work there is, and how little time there is and how few resources you have - that's why they pay you - to deliver, regardless of circumstances)
Do I have control of the environment from a health and safety perspective? I.e. is the location being used exclusively by the film crew/production or are there members of the public using the space?
Am I prepared for every eventuality?


So that's the basic 21 questions that you will be asking yourself subconsciously every single time you turn up at a location. And having a rock solid process is what you need to master in order to do your job well, get a great looking image and most importantly, impress the client - consistently.

SUPPLEMENTAL: COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE

Here's an article that explores the complex topic of copyright and fair use.

Fair use explained

SUPPLEMENTAL: HOW TO CALCULATE AMPERAGE DRAW

In order to make sure you don't trip power circuits, check out this eHow on how to calculate your amperage draw on a power circuit:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5328646_calculate-amperage-draw.html

SUPPLEMENTAL: COMMON SCREENWRITING MISTAKES

Common Screenwriting Mistakes

I am seeing the following errors in many of the screenplays written in this class.  Please read the following lost and make sure to correct these errors in your screenplays. 

1. Proper Slug lines:

Ex – INT. KITCHEN – DAY

EX – EXT. PARK – DAY

2.  Don’t be too vague or overtly complicated.

3.  Don’t bury scenes in the action section.  Don’t put multiple scenes in paragraph of action.  Break them out and make them separate scenes with separate slug lines.

4.  Grammar/Spelling. 

5.  Future/past tense mixups. Only in present tense.

6.  “Goes” “likes” = lazy writing.

7.  Show, not tell!!!!!!!!  We can’t see what characters are thinking.  We can’t know their emotions.

8.  People are forgetting to introduce characters.  Describe them when they first enter the scene.  CAPS for first time they’re mentioned.

9.  Describe the setting!  Paint the picture of what’s relevant in the scene.

10.  Know your audience.  Why does the viewer care?

WEBSITE: THE SCRIPT LAB

During our segment on screenwriting, theScriptLab is an amazing resource if you need more details about certain parts of what we're studying.  There is an absolute treasure trove of information there.  Check out this introduction article:

http://thescriptlab.com/screenwriting

VIDEOS: THE BITTER SCRIPTWRITER

The Bitter script writer YouTube channel is a great resource with certain aspects of the craft of screenwriting.  If you'd like to learn about a particular part from a different perspective, head over to it and check it out.

It also happens to be taught by a muppet!





https://www.youtube.com/user/BitterScriptReader/videos

SUPPLEMENTAL: 29 PLOT TEMPLATES

Having trouble telling a story?  Take a look at these 29 plot templates to get an idea of the type of story you want to tell.

http://www.darcypattison.com/plot/29-plot-templates/

FUN: THE HERO'S JOURNEY CARTOON

SUPPLEMENTAL: THE 6 QUESTIONS TO MAKE A BETTER CHARACTER

THE 6 QUESTIONS TO MAKE A BETTER CHARACTER

Below you can find the six questions you should always be asking about your characters in order to create well rounded, believable ones.  Be sure to refer back to these when you are writing your screenplays.

1. Who is your character? Is this character the protagonist, the antagonist, a supporting character? What is the character's name? Describe the character's physical characteristics and personality characteristics.

2. What does your character do for a living? What is he trying to achieve? What is his goal?
3. When does the story take place? Does it take place now, in the past, in the future?
4. Where is your character located? Describe the physical location.
5. Why does your character look or behave the way he does? What is his motivation?
6. How do your character's mannerisms or actions define his personality?

Rod Serling Discusses his Philosophy on Creativity

The Twilight Zone has always been an wonderful example of storytelling on a budget.  Check out this article and audio interview with the creator, Rod Serling:

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/08/twilight-zone-rod-serling-philosophy-creativity/

CLASS BLOG WORDLE

Heres an interesting graphical way to view the common words in the class blog so far.

CAREER ADVICE: FOR COMPOSERS

Here's an excellent link for aspring film/music composers from one of Hollywood's top working composers, John Ottman.  His credits include:  The Usual Suspects, X-Men, X-Men 2, X-Men Days of Future Past.

http://www.johnottman.com/biography/1

PERSONAL NARRATIVE: MOTH RADIO PODCAST

Check out this excellent example of a personal narrative from the MOTH Radio Podcast.

The Moth Presents James Foster:  Taken for a Ride