film script - workshop

Screenwriting workshop

Last week

What were we working on in last weeks

screenwriting lesson?

In todays lesson

We are going to recap the key rules of

screenwriting, before continuing work on our

screenplays, applying our creative writing

skills

By the end of todays lesson, you

MUST apply screenwriting techniques to produce part of a professionally presented screenplay

SHOULD apply spelling and grammar knowledge to ensure screenplay is professionally prepared

COULD be able to use action verbs to write compelling action

Who remembers what

action verbs are?

Action verbs

• An action verb is a doing word, a word that

describes something either a person,

animal or force of nature can do.

You have 2 minutes

To write as many action verbs as you can…

Times up!

What did we get?

Why is it important for screenwriters to know

about action verbs?

What drives a story forward?

Is it action or dialogue?

Action drives our narratives forward

Action verbs are a tool that allows the writer

to show the reader what’s happening in our

stories world, to make them feel a part of it.

Where should action be on the

page?

Where should dialogue be on the

page?

What tense should it be written in?

What font should you use?

What should every scene start with?

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Why is spelling & grammar

important in screenwriting?

• Use Word or Google Docs spell-checker

• Get someone you trust to read your work over

How can you ensure that your

spelling and grammar are correct?

Task 1

Working alone

Using your concepts, notes and narrative

plan as a guide, continue to write your

screenplay.

Set yourself a goal of finishing at least 1

page by the end of this lesson.

Peer assessment

Swap your work with a peer and check their spelling and grammar.

Is their spelling correct?

Do all their paragraphs make sense?

Can you understand and follow the story?

Feedback to each other; how could they improve their works clarity through spelling & grammar?

Workshop

Use the feedback you’ve received to edit

and improve your screenplay.

If you get stuck then conduct research to

help you gain a deeper understanding of

your story and its subject. Write up any

research in your portfolio.

Plenary

Peer assess each others screenplays. Think

about the story and how it unfolds. Can you

follow it? Is it engaging and exciting?