9/4Script/ScreenplayGets the deal startedOriginal vs. adaptations (previously sourced)Writer’s script has 4 elementsCharacters speaks (dialogue) and acts in a settingA writer’s script is not prose, it is technicalDirector’s scriptPublished scriptThere is a formula for writing a screenplay in each genreWriter departs production after the script is deliveredMoney determines a writer’s status and clout in the industryProperties that writer’s bring to a motion pictureTitle: tells you about the movieSubject: theme (attitude); what the movie is aboutStoryLife  story  stylized into a plot (history of events that transpire within a work)PlotTime and space, connection and continuityAll involve a character with a goal (protagonist) in a settingRealization of goal calls for action (sometimes brings character closer or father from achieving goal)Regression = antagonist (person, people, organization, element of nature, etc.)Creates conflict, arranged minor  major (climax)SuspenseDirectness/CohesivenessClosure (must have resolution)Aristotle: writers must use linear structure, inspired by playwrights (Sophocles)Character and settingCharacter is revealed by what they say and do, shot composition, physical appearance, setting, lighting, music, coloring, editing, silence, reactionSettingPeriod (time)Season (temporal)Time frame (how long the events last)Clear beginning, middle and endLikeness: something akin to representation (identify with the story)Point of ViewPerspective of the narrative voice, imparts the writer’s vision, what they think of what is being representedFirst person eye inside (typically on soundtrack)You see what the character is looking atThird PersonYou see the character, objectifiedOmniscientAudience has a view the characters don’t haveMotifSomething that is repeated, emphasis (importance)Provides structureMetaphorsStands for something else, only sometimes symbolic (stands for something else)AllusionAn indirect reference, to extend/clarify/enrich meaningDifference Between Wonder Boys Novel and Filmhttp://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=10836http://berkeleypubliclibrary.libguides.com/content.php?pid=201918&sid=16876579/11intonation and pitch creates a different meaning in dialogue, performer controls the linevolume, silencePerformer controls action contentCharacter is created by the properties of the performer:Persona of a Player1st property of a player is physicality, camera must be able to pick up these traits = expressive (the art of movement)AgeHarder on women than men in motion picturesFaceClose ups take up an enormous amount of time in motion pictures (emphasize face and eyes)BodyVoiceEvery player has a distinct voice, texture (Joan has a low, husky voice, articulates words  a woman of strength)EyesCreates meaning before she even speaks a line in the film2nd property of a player is personalityJoan was always strong and intelligent in every film3rd property of a player is talentcan they sing, act, dance, etc.4th property of a player is mythology (story)every performer has 2 types of stories, personal life and their prior films (real life and reel life)every actor develops a unique persona and the direction of the movie is tailored to itshow the best and worst of the culturemovie star carries the weight of our collective aspirations, and our projections, jealousies, dream life, sexual urges, etc.there is a chain of desire between the audience and the starEntrance and ExitsExtremely important because audience comes for the main player and it is what the audience remembersStarSomeone who’s persona is repeated in film after filmBusiness: persona that is so appealing it can carry any picture, regardless of who directed, the subject matter, etc.Types of Players:ActorPlayer who has talent to emote, persona that is a vehicle for many different characters, some actors are starsNon-professionalCan’t act but they can get away with them in film because so much relies upon reaction and silence of other actorsStyles of ActingPantomimicPresentational acting, dramatic actingFrancois Delsante: a book for people how to play actions to convey emotionsRepresentationalDramatic acting is scales back, use a lot of intonation of voice, not aware of the spectator just deliver to the camera, much more realisticMethod ActingHave to want to play the part, build the character using two resources: will go outside of himself called perceptual observation (watching a baker in real life) and emotive memory (jealousy experienced personally)Dustin Hoffman, Daniel Day LewisUniversity TrainedThey know the differences in each role (Meryl Streep)ImprovDirector wants you to figure it out for yourselfStar-turnedBlow everybody apart in the scene, don’t know anyone else is present (can’t take your eyes off of her)Criteria of Analysis for PerformanceEnsembleAll togetherAndrogynyCan you read the actor’s mind?BeatsIs the actor on the beat, ahead, or behindDirectorDetermines number of takes, if actor can feel energy of director it’s a good matchMost important: did the player affect you? Will she be your friendMildred PierceWon Joan Crawford an Oscar as best actressIntonation, pausing, volume, silenceAction: posture, gesture, business and reactionShe held the longest chain of desire, but a STARJoan played to an audience and was pantomimic, wanted the audience on her wavelength9/18Elements of Visual DesignCostume Design- hairstyle and makeupprops-any object used by the characters, usually is a plot pointphotography- photographer worries about direction of light (light creates different effects and meaning), also worries about intensity and degree of lightKey light: principal source of illumination in a scene, always aimed at the subjectFill light: fills in for key light, key light cannot hit all areas, balances total lighting effect of scene (placed 90 degrees away from key light)Back light: separates character from the sceneSide light: shows all featuresResolution: depends on film stock (fast stock: sensitive to light, grainer and slow stock: sensitive to light, allows camera to pick up more detail…sharp)Depends also on size of filmCreated and achieved by use of filters, degrees and color of lightColor: everything carries colorwarm colors bring viewers close to characters while cold colors keep awaycolors have an emotional and psychological residenceTitlerepresentational titlesabstract titlesSpecial Effectscharacter makeup (hunchback)special effects makeup