Week 3 – Beginning Without Perfectionism
Jude S -
Hello all, this week has been probably my most productive yet! My mentor has given me multiple sources to investigate while I turn a short film I have written into a full-length project. There is a concept in screenwriting called multiple names, but one of the main ones is the ten-page rule (Calvisi). This is the rule that the turning point of your script should be on the tenth page. This is where the main character has the inciting incident that drives the rest of the world forward. Everything should be different for the character.
To gain a better understanding of this she had me read the beginning of the book Inferno by Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven. The story starts with a start of ‘action’ (although not in the literal sense) where the main character talks about already being dead and then we see how he dies. With this, my mentor and I decided to start my screenplay part way through the beginning then flashback. Looking at other media gives a greater understanding of how stories can be crafted. Although there are many ways to write a story there are a few methods that are used in almost every story. My screenplay will be using a typical hero’s journey structure following two main characters taking place in the afterlife. I plan to keep reading and watching other media to get a better handle on how my story should play out.
I have created the start of my screenplay reaching and surpassing the important ten-page mark. I am also making storyboards so I don’t lose sight of my preproduction. All in all, the parts of the pre-production are coming together to make what should be a smooth production.
My film recommendation of the week is 20th Century Women (2016)
Citation:
Calvisi, Daniel P.. Story Maps: How to Write a Great Screenplay. United States, Act Four Screenplays, 2011.
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