# Filmmaking Basics/Formatting the Script/Analyze the story

This school is:
Wikiversity Film School - Narrative film production
This course is:
The basics of narrative filmmaking
This lesson is:
Formatting the script
Pages of this lesson:
Page 1 - Lesson summary & the story
Page 2 - Analyze the story
Page 3 - Learn Final Draft
Page 4 - Type the script
The completed assignments (Scripts formatted by students)
Conclusion - Is it perfect? :
| 1. What is the Location? Obviously, the story takes place outside a theater. That is easy!!! We do not actually say which theater. In actuality, we will use a 3D matte painting to turn our humble movie set into a theater on another galaxy far, far away. For now, we just write down: Scene Introduction (INTERIOR vs. EXTERIOR)? Exterior which is abbreviated EXT. The Location? Simply say Movie Theater! for the location. The Time? The time will be Night since most movies end at night. However, we will probably film at dusk so we'll have better lighting. 2. Who are the characters in this story? There are only two speaking roles in our movie. Extra people such as people in the background are never listed in a movie script. The old and wise person will be simply called OLD PERSON. The young person will be called YOUNG PERSON. We don't want to limit our choice to one gender. 3. What is the dialog for this story? We need to write down just the words that are spoken. This is the meat of the script. The young person says That was a great movie... but I don't understand one thing. The older person says Hum, what's that? The younger person says I don't understand how anyone can be seduced by the dark side. The older person says What computer do you use at home? The younger person says A Macintosh. The older person says And what computer does your father use at work? The younger person says Seduced by the Dark Side!!! 4. What are the actions in this story? The actions are what goes on in the story that is not dialog. For a movie script, this must be very short. Notice how much of the story is eliminated and not included in the actions. At the beginning of the scene, all you need to say is Action An old and wise person and a young person stand in front of a movie poster. Action They begin to walk away. 5. What is the ending transition for this story? At the end of the scene, all you need to say is: Transition Fade Out Done! That is all the information you need to type the script. Right? Maybe not! For the animated version, we need more. See the note to the right. | Analyze the Story Here is the information you will need to type the script: The location The time of day (Day, Night) The names of the characters The dialog The action The parenthetical descriptions for the dialog The transitions Re-read the story. As you read the story, write down this information so you will be ready to type the script. Then check with the answers on the left. |
| 1. What is the Location? Obviously, the story takes place outside a theater. That is easy!!! We do not actually say which theater. In actuality, we will use a 3D matte painting to turn our humble movie set into a theater on another galaxy far, far away. For now, we just write down: Scene Introduction (INTERIOR vs. EXTERIOR)? Exterior which is abbreviated EXT. The Location? Simply say Movie Theater! for the location. The Time? The time will be Night since most movies end at night. However, we will probably film at dusk so we'll have better lighting. 2. Who are the characters in this story? There are only two speaking roles in our movie. Extra people such as people in the background are never listed in a movie script. The old and wise person will be simply called OLD PERSON. The young person will be called YOUNG PERSON. We don't want to limit our choice to one gender. 3. What is the dialog for this story? We need to write down just the words that are spoken. This is the meat of the script. The young person says That was a great movie... but I don't understand one thing. The older person says Hum, what's that? The younger person says I don't understand how anyone can be seduced by the dark side. The older person says What computer do you use at home? The younger person says A Macintosh. The older person says And what computer does your father use at work? The younger person says Seduced by the Dark Side!!! 4. What are the actions in this story? The actions are what goes on in the story that is not dialog. For a movie script, this must be very short. Notice how much of the story is eliminated and not included in the actions. At the beginning of the scene, all you need to say is Action An old and wise person and a young person stand in front of a movie poster. Action They begin to walk away. 5. What is the ending transition for this story? At the end of the scene, all you need to say is: Transition Fade Out Done! That is all the information you need to type the script. Right? Maybe not! For the animated version, we need more. See the note to the right. | "Seduced by the Dark Side!" An old (yet wise) person and a young (but curious) person are outside a movie theater where they have just seen the movie "Star Wars". Now they stand looking at the movie poster on the wall outside the theater. The younger person says, "That was a great movie... but I don't understand one thing." The older person says, "Hum, what's that?". The young person says, "I don't understand how anyone can be 'seduced by the dark side'". The older person thinks for a while and then answers, "What computer do you use at home?" The young person immediately responds eagerly, "A Macintosh." Then the older person slowly says, "But what computer does your father use at work?" The young person thinks for a while and then smiles in amazement, exclaiming loudly, "Seduced by the Dark Side!" The older person smiles knowingly at the young person. The young person is very happy knowing he has just learned a very important lesson. Now the two have formed a bond that will last a lifetime. They begin walking slowly home together. The End |
| 1. What is the Location? Obviously, the story takes place outside a theater. That is easy!!! We do not actually say which theater. In actuality, we will use a 3D matte painting to turn our humble movie set into a theater on another galaxy far, far away. For now, we just write down: Scene Introduction (INTERIOR vs. EXTERIOR)? Exterior which is abbreviated EXT. The Location? Simply say Movie Theater! for the location. The Time? The time will be Night since most movies end at night. However, we will probably film at dusk so we'll have better lighting. 2. Who are the characters in this story? There are only two speaking roles in our movie. Extra people such as people in the background are never listed in a movie script. The old and wise person will be simply called OLD PERSON. The young person will be called YOUNG PERSON. We don't want to limit our choice to one gender. 3. What is the dialog for this story? We need to write down just the words that are spoken. This is the meat of the script. The young person says That was a great movie... but I don't understand one thing. The older person says Hum, what's that? The younger person says I don't understand how anyone can be seduced by the dark side. The older person says What computer do you use at home? The younger person says A Macintosh. The older person says And what computer does your father use at work? The younger person says Seduced by the Dark Side!!! 4. What are the actions in this story? The actions are what goes on in the story that is not dialog. For a movie script, this must be very short. Notice how much of the story is eliminated and not included in the actions. At the beginning of the scene, all you need to say is Action An old and wise person and a young person stand in front of a movie poster. Action They begin to walk away. 5. What is the ending transition for this story? At the end of the scene, all you need to say is: Transition Fade Out Done! That is all the information you need to type the script. Right? Maybe not! For the animated version, we need more. See the note to the right. | "Warning, Will Robinson!" Did we forget something? Young Person: "Hummmm! In the script for the animated version, we also need to include any vocal sound effects. If a person says, "Hummmm" or "Ahhhh", we need to include that in the animated script. When recording the dialog for the animated script, you must be very specific. 1. When the young person thinks, do we need a "Humm"sound? 2. When the old person thinks, do we need a "Humm" sound? 3. And when the Old Person smiles, do we need a "Ahhh" sound? The answer is "yes" for the animated version of our movie. |
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* Your instructor for this filmmaking class is Robert Elliott. You can email me by clicking here.
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* Completed Homework Assignments - Script Formatting
* Homework
* The formatted scripts from the lesson on "Script Formatting"
* Version: The Live-Action Script
* CDinAshton has completed this assignment (pdf). 15 points for being the first to complete this assignment.
* Ciprian has completed this assignment (pdf). One of the best of the formatted scripts. (15 October 2006) 10 points
* Wvanheemstra has completed this assignment (pdf). (16 October 2006) 7 points
* Mukesh Tiwari has completed this assignment (pdf). (3 November 2006) 7 points
* Mirwin has completed this assignment (pdf). (5 November 2006) 7 points
* Noelego has completed this assignment (pdf). (6 November 2006) 7 points
* Steve Ogden has completed this assignment (pdf). (9 November 2006) 7 points
* Graphak has completed this assignment (pdf). (13 November 2006) - One of the best of the formatted scripts. 10 points
* Ugoglen has completed this assignment (pdf). (14 November 2006) 7 points
* Westt has completed this assignment (pdf). (20 December 2006) 7 points
* Elatanatari has completed this assignment (pdf). (22 December 2006 2006) 7 points
* Pedromax has completed this assignment (pdf) Very well done. 10 points + 2 bonus points. (05 January 2007)
* Fat Penguin has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (07 January 2007)
* Mike Maurice has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points + 5 for originality. (18 January 2007)
* Note: The instructions in the lessons are only a guide. Here is an excellent example of creative script formatting. Converting the story into a script can be done with a great amount of originality. Great job, Capt. Mike!
* Greg From Austin has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points. (23 January 2007)
* Bobilobio has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (1 February 2007)
* "D" has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (11 February 2007)
* "D" says: I wasn´t sure if could make all this changes in the story but here it goes! (Ps: sorry if the script its not fluid or something but though english its not my native language I wanted to give it a try anyway.)
* Tedrick022 has completed this assignment (pdf). 9 points. (12 February 2007)
* Seyi Longe has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (19 March 2007)
* Kenneth Beckerdite has completed this assignment (pdf). 5 points. (24 March 2007)
* "Cameron is the best" has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (25 March 2007)
* "Miror vs you" has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (5 April 2007)
* Onesh0t has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (15 April 2007)
* Kroebuck67 has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (16 April 2007)
* Kinsuji has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (26 April 2007)
* Steward Nixon has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points. (26 April 2007) This is one of the most original rewrites I have seen!!! Take a look!
* MilesR has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points. (5 May 2007) Remember to set each line to the correct format. This is very easy in Final Draft.
* Fanninator has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (16 May 2007)
* Rick Snell has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (17 May 2007)
* Niri0n has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (22 May 2007)
* Kasturika has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points. (23 May 2007)
* A._Straea has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (27 May 2007)
* Disilver has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (30 May 2007)
* Wachapon2 has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (1 June 2007) - Formatted with CeltX
* Yo_Tommieboy has completed this assignment (pdf). 5 points. (05 June 2007)
* Grantsteven15 has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (18 June 2007)
* AgentOO has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points. (19 June 2007)
* Vijay Pratap has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (2 July 2007)
* Tunderboy9 has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points. (7 July 2007)
* Mok has completed this assignment (pdf) using TeX. 7 points. (19 July 2007)
* Akuehn2003 has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft FREE demo version. 8 points. (20 July 2007)
* Izwah has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft FREE demo version. 8 points. (21 July 2007)
* Mpd1216 has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft FREE demo version. 8 points. (21 July 2007)
* Krishna Datta has completed this assignment (pdf). I used MS Word and converted the script to PDF using a PDF Convertor. I am not able to install the Tool as I am using a restricted Computer where I don't have permission to install any software. I think this will suffice.6 points. (23 July 2007)
* Eric Thai has completed this assignment (pdf) using the full version of Final Draft, version 7. 8 points. (29 July 2007)
* Magic man22 has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft FREE demo version. 6 points. (3 August 2007)
* Fred has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft? 8 points. (4 August 2007)
* Mpftmead has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft demo version 8 points. (6 August 2007)
* Da-Huntha has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft? 8 points. (6 August 2007)
* Astroboi has not completed this assignment (pdf). Please use the free demo of Final Draft to format this script.
* Noblerinthemind has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft free demo version 8 points. (15 August 2007)
* jhenryconrad has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Final Draft free demo version 8 points. (20 August 2007)
* KinnetiK, has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points (22 August 2007)
* Remaley, has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Free Final Draft. 7 points (23 August 2007)
* Remaley has completed this assignment (pdf) using the Free Final Draft. 8 points (23 August 2007)
* Dorothybaez has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points (27 August 2007)
* Sushant has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points (30 August 2007)
* Moraistelmo has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points (07 September 2007)
* Thorlach has completed this assignment (pdf) and the title page (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points (08 September 2007)
* Bill-movies has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points (09 September 2007)
* Nator7 has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points (19 September 2007)
* Sunayana Anand has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 7 points (26 September 2007)
* Fearkiller has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points (17 October 2007)
* Igor Verstovsek has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 10 points - A fun script! (24 October 2007)
* Mavenman has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points - (28 October 2007)
* Mattjames17 has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points - (30 October 2007)
* Igor Popovski has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. This was done using a TV format rather than a motion picture. The differences are very interesting. 8 points - (03 November 2007)
* Cristiana has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 7 points - (05 November 2007)
* Razie92 has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points - (07 November 2007)
* Michael Coughlan has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free CeltX beta. 7 points - (17 November 2007)
* Silver Tonto has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo. 8 points - (21 November 2007)
* Anandabrata has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free Final Draft demo or CeltX. 8 points - (29 November 2007)
* Janis Hartman has completed this assignment (pdf) using CeltX. 7 points - (02 December 2007)
* Manuelciosici has completed this assignment (pdf) using CeltX. 7 points - (03 December 2007)
* JBiMbO has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (04 December 2007)
* Pruthvirajg has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 7 points - (09 December 2007)
* Brian Walker has completed this assignment (pdf) using CeltX. 7 points - (13 December 2007)
* Davidmp4 has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 8 points - (21 December 2007)
* Hdepuydt has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 7 points - (20 December 2007)
* Mkatcher has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 8 points - (22 December 2007)
* Alideniz has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 8 points - (29 December 2007)
* Sereyaco has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 8 points - (30 December 2007)
* Marcus mac has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 7 points - (28 January 2008)
* Jeff Woodruff has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 7 points - (28 January 2008)
* Jeff Hendrickson has completed this assignment (pdf) using CelX. 7 points - (28 January 2008)
* Jbaggette has completed this assignment (pdf) using CelX. 7 points - (14 February 2008)
* Peter LW has completed this assignment (pdf) using CelX. 7 points - (03 March 2008)
* Xvat0x has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (03 March 2008)
* Maramraj has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 9 points - (06 March 2008)
* SwitchbladeSavior has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 9 points - (06 March 2008)
* Edgard navarrete has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (06 March 2008)
* Raj librans has completed this Media:Raj librans SBTDS Script Formatting.pdf (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 4 points - (25 March 2008)
* AmosNusheg has completed this Media:AmosNusheg SBTDS Script Formatting.pdf (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (25 March 2008)
* Brutal Enigma has completed this Media:Brutal Enigma SBTDS Script Formatting.pdf (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (29 March 2008)
* Eldorino has completed this Media:Eldorino SBTDS Script Formatting.pdf (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (04 April 2008)
* Hicks999 has completed this Media:Hicks999 SBTDS Script Formatting.pdf (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (05 April 2008)
* Rick Steele has completed this Media:Rick Steele SBTDS Script Formatting.pdf (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (06 April 2008)
* Jiffypop has completed this Media:Jiffypop SBTDS Script Formatting.pdf (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points - (06 April 2008)
* Pisomojado101 has completed this Media:Pisomojado101 seduced by the dark side.pdf (pdf) using tFinal Draft. 8 points - (17 May 2008)
* Csspeedbump has completed this Media:Csspeedbump Seduced by the Dark Side.pdf (pdf) using Final Draft. 8 points - (17 May 2008)
* Click on the word assignment to see the actual pdf document.
* Version: The Animation Script
* Koolaidman has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points + 4 points extra credit. (19 February 2007) - Very good!
* L. K. LaRose has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points + 4 points extra credit. (21 February 2007) - Very good!
* Forbe has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points + 4 points extra credit. (21 February 2007) - Original. Very good!
* Deimos has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points + 4 points extra credit. (27 March 2007) - Formatted with CeltX
* 10kJuan has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points + 4 points extra credit. (29 March 2007)
* Refardeon has completed this assignment (pdf). 8 points + 4 points extra credit. (10 August 2007)
* KinnetiK, has completed this assignment (pdf). 7 points + 4 points extra credit. (22 August 2007)
* Youtheen has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft free demo version. 8 points + 4 points extra credit. (30 August 2007)
* Elisia Johnson has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft free demo version. 10 points + 4 points extra credit. (01 October 2007)
* Qwidgey has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft free demo version. 6 points + 4 points extra credit. (05 October 2007) (no title page)
* Elizabethvnv has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft free demo version. 8 points + 4 points extra credit. (16 October 2007)
* Brian See has completed this assignment (pdf) using CeltX. 8 points + 4 points extra credit. (16 October 2007)
* Red Prince has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 10 points + 4 points extra credit. - Very well done! - (29 October 2007)
* Mattjames17 has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 8 points + 4 points extra credit. - (30 October 2007)
* Pruthvirajg has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 7 points + 4 points extra credit. - (09 December 2007)
* Tatu has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 8 points + 4 points extra credit. - (10 January 2008)
* Michael Weyandt has completed this assignment (pdf) using Final Draft. 9 points + 4 points extra credit. - (28 January 2008)
* Abenisio has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points + 4 points extra credit. - (01 February 2008)
* Mashenka has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 8 points + 4 points extra credit. - (04 February 2008)
* Dicklip has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 10 points + 4 points extra credit. - (25 March 2008)
* Special Note: This is the first script to get the scene numbering correct!!!!
* Heddesheimer has completed this assignment (pdf) using the free demo version of Final Draft. 10 points + 4 points extra credit. - (25 March 2008)
* Special Note: This is the second script to get the scene numbering correct!!!!
* Ironcode has completed this assignment (pdf) using celtx. (15 October 2008)
* Unique scripts
* NinjaHOUSE has completed this assignment (pdf). 10 points + 4 points extra credit. (21 March 2008)
* Completed assignment - Script formatting
* June 3, 2010 -- Macurik
* has formatted the script with Free Final Draft 8. You can download it at Media:Macurik_Seduced by the dark side.pdf. xxx