Lesson 12 in Measuring Up

In your Measuring Up text book pages 95-105 students are asked to complete the activity. The elements of plot are clearly outlined in these pages. After completing this activity students are asked to then revisit page 99 in their screenwriting text book and re-do the activity on this page.

Chapter 8 Plot Part III: Endings

In this chapter students will pinpoint their story's conclusion, trace the characters arcs, learn how to protect your script from destructive elements, and last but not least we will look at successful movie endings.

On page 104 students are asked to copy down the 9 questions and answer by using their notebooks.

Chapter 7 Plot Parts ll: Middles

All students are asked to focus on the critical middle, the middle of a screen play other wise known as the second act. In this chapter students will learn about plot, a story's action, how to create compelling obstacles, how to craft an opening, and how to get started on their screenplay.

As students read chapter 7 students must take notes. Students are asked to take notes on information that they feel will help them with the overall creation. The try it activity on page 99 is a critical component and is needed to help with the development of their main character/s.

Classwork/Homework

Chapter 6: After reading chapter 6 all students are asked to construct two openings for the same story. You can approach this project in two ways. You may want to begin by jotting down a generic scenario to practice on, or you may want to revisit the synopsis of your own story and begin there. In either case, consider the opening moments with two methods in mind: With a platform, Mid-conflict. Try it activity found on page 82.

The Skeleton Key

A young woman helping care for an invalid in New Orleans finds herself caught in the middle of morbid going-ons centered around a group of Hoodoo (Not Voodoo, it's different. Hoodoo is an old African American magic that only works if you believe in it.) practitioners. Written by Jojo Mac
Caroline (Kate Hudson) is a twenty-five-year-old hospice worker who cares for the ailing and the elderly, a job designed to atone for her own mistake for ignoring her dying father in the past, when she had been a rock 'n' roll manager. After her latest charge passes away, Caroline takes a job in Louisiana, caring for Ben (John Hurt), a stroke-victim who is bed-ridden and cannot speak. But Caroline becomes suspicious of the house, and Ben's cold wife, Violet (Gena Rowlands) only adds to the creepy atmosphere. After acquiring a skeleton key, Caroline makes her way into a secret room within the attic where she discovers hair, blood, bones, spells, and other instruments for practicing hoodoo. Violet says she has never been in the secret room, but that the items probably belonged to the original owners' two houseworkers, who practiced black magic and were lynched as a result. Noting that Ben had his stroke in the attic after entering the room, Caroline is determined to unlock the secrets of the house, and rescue Ben from the horrors that hold him captive within. Written by Tickleberry
The Skeleton Key is about a 25-year old girl (Kate Hudson) who gets a job as a caretaker living in a plantation home in Terrebone Parish, Louisiana. She soon discovers the scary attic in the house, with all sorts of hoodoo recipes, spells, books, etc. She starts to investigate and question Violet (Gena Rowlands), the owner of the house, about the secrets. But if she believes in what she discovers, it will all become real! Written by Peyton
The nurse Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson) decides to quit her job in a hospital and work for a family in the swamps of Terrebone Parish, Louisiana, one hour far from New Orleans. The family lawyer Luke (Peter Sarsgaard) hires her for US$ 1,000.00 per week to take care of Ben Devereaux (John Hurt), the beloved husband of Violet Devereaux (Gena Howlands), who had a stroke and is totally paralyzed. Violet gives a skeleton key of the huge house to Caroline, and the curious young woman finds a secret creepy hoodoo room in a scary attic that belonged to a couple of sorcerers that worked in the house. Caroline, who does not believe in magic, decides to learn about hoodoo, and believes Violet put an evil spell on Ben. She decides to help the invalid man, and asks for help to Luke.

American Gangster Synopsis

Nobody used to notice Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), the quiet driver to one of the inner city's leading black crime bosses. But when his boss suddenly dies, Frank exploits the opening in the power structure to build his own empire and create his own version of the American Dream. Through ingenuity and a strict business ethic, he comes to rule the inner-city drug trade, flooding the streets with a purer product at a better price. Lucas outplays all of the leading crime syndicates and becomes not only one of the city's mainline corrupter, but part of its circle of legit civic superstars.Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is an outcast cop close enough to the streets to feel a shift of control in the drug underworld. Roberts believes someone is climbing the rungs above the known Mafia families and starts to suspect that a black power player has come from nowhere to dominate the scene. Both Lucas and Roberts share a rigorous ethical code that sets them apart from their own colleagues, making them lone figures on opposite sides of the law. The destinies of these two men will become intertwined as they approach a confrontation where only one of them can come out on top.

Example Of Synopsis GodFather

The film begins at the wedding of Don Vito Corleone's daughter Connie to Carlo Rizzi in late summer of 1945, on Long Island, New York. Because "no Sicilian can refuse a request on his daughter's wedding day," Corleone, known to his friends and associates as "Godfather", and Tom Hagen (the Corleone family consigliere, or counselor) are preoccupied with hearing requests from friends and associates. Meanwhile, the Don's youngest son Michael, who has returned from World War II service as a highly decorated war hero, tells his girlfriend Kay Adams anecdotes about his father's criminal life, reassuring her that he is not like his family.Among the guests at the celebration is famous singer Johnny Fontane, a godson of Corleone's, who has come from Hollywood to ask the Godfather's help in getting a movie role that will revitalize his flagging career. Jack Woltz, the head of the studio, will not give Fontane the part, but Don Corleone explains to Johnny: "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." Hagen is dispatched to California to fix the problem, but Woltz angrily tells him that he will never cast Fontane in the role, which he is perfect for, because Fontane "ruined" a starlet that Woltz favored. The next morning, Woltz wakes up to find the bloody severed head of his prize stud horse in the bed with him.Upon Hagen's return, the family meets with heroin dealer Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo, who has influence with the rival Tattaglia family. He asks Don Corleone for political protection and financing to start the mass importation and distribution of heroin but, despite the huge amount of money to be made, Corleone refuses. The Don's oldest son, hotheaded Sonny, breaks ranks during the meeting and expresses interest in the deal. His father, angry at Sonny's dissension in front of a non-family member, later privately rebukes him.After Don Corleone's refusal, Hagen is abducted by Sollozzo and his henchmen, while the Don himself is badly wounded during an assassination attempt, but survives. Sollozzo persuades Hagen to offer Sonny the deal previously offered to his father, but Sonny refuses to consider the deal, promising a war with the Tattaglias and Sollozzo. The Corleones now prepare for the likelihood of all-out warfare with the rest of the Five Families, who will unite against the Corleones.Michael, who is recognized by the other Mafia families as a "civilian" in their conflict, visits his father in the hospital, but finds nobody guarding him. Realizing that his father is being set up to be killed, he moves him to another room, calls Sonny with a report, and goes outside to watch the door. After he has bluffed away some of Sollozzo's goons, police cars arrive with the corrupt Captain McCluskey, who breaks Michael's jaw with a single punch. Just then, Hagen shows up with "private detectives" licensed to carry guns to protect Don Corleone.Following the attempt on his father's life at the Hospital, Michael volunteers to kill Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey, who is acting as Sollozzo's bodyguard. Sonny and the other senior members of the Corleone family are initially amused by Michael's supposed naiveté and Sonny admonishes him for reacting too personally and emotionally. However, Michael convinces them that killing Sollozo and McCluskey is in the family's interests ("It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business.")A meeting between Michael and Sollozo, with McCluskey attending, at a restaurant is arranged, ostensibly to discuss peace. Michael excuses himself to go to the restroom, retrieves a planted revolver, and executes Sollozzo and McCluskey with near-point-blank-range shots to the head. To avoid arrest for the murders, Michael is sent to Sicily, where he lives under the protection of a local Mafia Don. While there, he falls in love, then marries a local girl, Apollonia, who is subsequently murdered during an attempt on Michael's life.Meanwhile, back in New York, Don Corleone returns home from the hospital and is distraught to learn that Michael was the one who killed Sollozzo and McCluskey. Some months later, in 1948, Sonny severely beats Carlo for hitting Connie. The next time Carlo beats her, Sonny drives off alone to find him and kill him. On the way, he is ambushed and machine-gunned to death.Instead of seeking revenge for Sonny's killing, Don Corleone meets with the heads of the Five Families to arrange an end to the war. Not only is it draining all of their assets and threatening their survival, but ending the conflict is the only way that Michael can return home safely. Reversing his previous decision, Vito agrees that the Corleone family will provide political protection for Philip Tattaglia's traffic in heroin. At the meeting, Don Corleone realizes that Don Barzini, not Tattaglia, was responsible for the mob war.With his safety guaranteed, Michael returns from Sicily. More than a year later, he reunites with his former girlfriend, Kay, telling her that he wants to marry her. With the Don semi-retired, Sonny dead and middle brother Fredo considered incapable of running the family business, Michael is now in charge, and he claims that the family business will soon be completely legitimate.Clemenza and Tessio, two Corleone Family caporegimes (captains) complain that they are being pushed around by the Barzini Family and ask permission to strike back, but Michael refuses. With his father as consigliere, he plans to move the family operations to Nevada and after that, Clemenza and Tessio may break away to go on their own. Michael further promises that Connie's husband, Carlo, is going to be his right hand in Nevada, while Hagen will be the Family's Las Vegas lawyer.In Las Vegas Michael is greeted by Fredo in the hotel-casino partly financed by the Corleones, run by Moe Greene. Michael explains to Johnny Fontane that the Family needs his help in persuading Johnny's friends in show business to sign long-term contracts to appear at the casino. In a meeting with Moe Greene, Michael offers to buy out Greene but is rudely rebuffed. Greene believes the Corleones are weak and that he can secure a better deal from Barzini.Michael returns home. In a private meeting, Vito explains his expectation that the Family's enemies will attempt to kill Michael by using a trusted associate to arrange a meeting as a pretext for assassination. Shortly afterwards, Don Vito dies of a heart attack while playing with his young grandson in his tomato garden.During the funeral, Tessio conveys a proposal for a meeting with Barzini, which identifies him as the traitor that Vito was expecting. Michael arranges the murders of Moe Greene, Philip Tattaglia, Emilio Barzini, Salvatore Tessio, Anthony Stracci, and Carmine Cuneo, all to take place during the baptism of Connie and Carlo's second son, for whom he will be godfather. After the baptism, Michael confronts Carlo about Sonny's murder and tricks him into admitting his role in setting up the ambush. "Today," Michael tells him, "I settle all Family business." Michael informs Carlo that his punishment is to be excluded from the family business and hands him a plane ticket to exile in Nevada. Carlo gets into a car to go to the airport, and is strangled by Clemenza.Later, Connie confronts Michael, accusing him of Carlo's murder. Kay questions Michael about Connie's accusation, but he refuses to answer. She insists, and Michael lies, assuring his wife that he had no role in Carlo's death. Kay is relieved by his denial. As the film ends, she watches Clemenza and new caporegime Rocco Lampone pay their respects to Michael, kissing his hand and addressing him as "Don Corleone." The door is closed by new sotto capo (underboss) Al Neri, as she realizes that Michael has become the new Godfather.

Homework Chapter 5 10/10

Screenwriting Students: All students are asked to continue reading chapter 5 in their text at home. On page 70 students are asked to create a brief synopsis of their film. Students are then asked to turn their synopsis into a movie trailer. This assignment is due the next class period.

Chapter 5 10/10 Classwork

Screenwriting Students: All students are asked to look at pages 56-58 in their screenwriting text and take notes in their journals. Students must focus on the areas that will help them pinpoint their interest and ideas in relation to what type of film they are thinking about. Points such as: events, people, conversations, images and locations, and other art sources will help students visualize what they want to focus on in their screenplay.

After taking notes students are asked to continue reading chapter 5 in their text. Chapter 5 specifically focuses on breaking down the elements of a story.

Students will watch parts of the film The Minority Report, students are asked to focus on the plot of this film. We will have a whole group discussion after we have viewed the film.

Out of Class Observation 10/8

ScreenWriting Students: All students will go on a walking observation trip on campus. Students are asked to look at a subject in their setting and observe them. When you notice a change in their behavior, in their environment, or in their image come up with three possible reasons for the change to their behavior.

Examples: She's concealing a scar she received as a child. She's avoiding an old boyfriend who just walked into the park. Her behavior is a secret sign between her and another person in the park.

Screen Writing Class 10/8 Classwork

ScreenWriting Class: Students are asked to give characteristics of what makes a person believable. Students were asked to use the films that we viewed in class as a model for believable characters. After generating a list as a class we will discuss the qualities involved.

Students are asked to answer three questions: Where does the story start? Who's involved? What's the conflict and why do we care? After answering these questions begin reading chapter 5, unpacking your idea.

Homework

On page 31 in your text complete the activity called Journaling your environment.

Homework

On page 20 in your text complete the activity called a Novel approach to film.

Classwork for 9/26

Continue reading chapter four in your text. On pages 42-44 copy down the words in bold print and write down any relevant information in your personal note book that you feel will help you with the screenwriting process.

Current Events: What is happening in the world that you live in at the present time.

Fiction: Stories that are created in the writers mind.

The Historical accounts: Researched information that is accurate that a writer may use in a film.

Personal Experience: Write about what you know.

What exactly do I know about the account? Record as many details as you can recall.

How reliable are my sources? Research your information

What don't I know? If you have holes after you research use your imagination to create the missing picture.

What interest me most about the event?

What interest me least?

Classwork

Read chapter 2 pages 17-22.

On pages 23-24 complete the writing activity (from something to nothing and from nothing to something).

Students are asked to watch the beginning of the Matrix and Ghost Ship.
Students are asked to simply tell whether or not they want to see more than the 7 minute opening ( students must explain why they the film may have interested them). The students were asked to explain what is taking place in the film and what kind of theatrical ideas influenced their opinion. Things such as the title, setting, music, and action.

Classwork

Read Pages 11-16 in your text.

Complete the activity on page 16.

After completing this activity tell me about your favorite film: What is the film about? Who is the hero? What happens to the hero? What problems does this person encounter? How is the problem solved? Who is the target audience? Why do you like this film?

Begin reading chapter 2 in your text book.

Warm Up One Comment 9/24

Write one comment about the three films that you watched in our last class meeting. The films were Murder in the First (first 5 minutes) Artificial Intelligence (first 10 minutes) The Mis Behaviors (20 minutes entire skit).

The students comment must be able to persuade someone to either see these films or their comment must persuade someone not to see these films.

Screenwriting

Simple Screenplay/Screenwriting Tip
By Peter John RossSep 20, 2005, 15:54
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This is geared towards first timers, but it’s an important step. I’m not one to dole out advice on writing or story, but a basic tip on “SCREENWRITING” and the basic format I feel I can say something constructive on.Making a movie, whether it be a :30 second commercial, or 4 hour Lord of the Rings epic, but it’s metaphorically like building a house. Using that metaphor, your script represents the base of everything a movie needs to be created on. Probably the most basic aspect to the format is the SLUGLINE (saying INT. for Interior, or EXT. for Exterior), and the ACTION lines, which as the paragraphical descriptions. Recently I had read a screenplay by a first time writer/director. The first thing I read was a corrected SLUGLINE, but the ACTION lines said, “This is JACK, a guy in his early 20’s. He’s the kind of guy that graduated maybe a year before and hates his job. He’s tired and wants to go visit his girlfriend, still in college.” Now I read this and got it. I know the kind of guy he’s talking about. BUT…. How do you shoot that?As I explained to my friend, if a cinematographer read that, they would have no idea what they are shooting or where to begin. You don’t have to write camera angels, but you do have to write, and subsequently only write what the camera will SEE. For the example, I said you could show a diploma with last spring’s date on it, or show graduation pictures hanging on the wall. Again, trying to explain the difference between writing for a script as opposed to a novel. This cements the “blueprint” metaphor. You’re writing out what the shoot will be. Similarly, a lot of actors don’t like having the emotions written out for them in parenthesis. They want to discover them by reading and possibly interpreting them. This is sometimes called “acting.” And helping the actors find the character and working with said actors on how this fits into the scheme of the bigger story being told is called “directing”. Peter John Ross & Sonnyboo Productions – Founded in 1999, Sonnyboo short films have played on 3 continents and at over 50 film festivals world wide. Projects directed by Peter John Ross appear on Tech TV, National Lampoon Networks, Movieola the short film channel, The “U” Network, and Vegas Indies TV. Sonnyboo films have been noted in such publications as RES Magazine, Ain’t It Cool News, Camcorder & Computer Video magazine, Film & Video Magazine, LA Weekly, Film Threat, the Village Voice, & Internet Video Magazine. Website: www.sonnyboo.com

Introduction to Screenwriting 9/5

In our first meeting we will focus on defining what screenwriting is. We will discuss the ideas and concepts that motivate good writing. Students will read Chapter one in their text screenwriting fir dummies. This chapter explores the art of screenwriting.