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FATHOM The Basics of Screenwriting
Fathom
r Session Topic
': = Session_1 The Premise
. Session 2 Character Development
» Gomtetbuters Session 3 Screenplay Structure and Visual Storytelling
Session_4 Setting the Scene
Session 5 Formatting Your MasterpieceKN
FATHOM The Basics of Screenwriting
» Learning Plan
» Contributors
Fathom
Sessions
Session 1
The Premise
Screenplays have been the key element of filmmaking since the earliest days of motion
pictures, Although movies are a visual medium, they typically begin with words on a page, a
literary blueprint. Before the first onscreen kiss, before
the first onscreen duel and even before the first cream pie
was thrown into someone's face, screenwriters were
diligently working at their craft. Although it may look
simple at first glance, screenwriting is a challenging art.
In addition to expressing visual ideas on paper, the writer
must create engaging characters and an airtight structure.
‘There is little room for error. As legendary filmmaker
Frank Capra (right) once said, "Scriptwriting is the
toughest part of the whole racket...the least understood
and the least noticed."
‘This seminar focuses on the nuts and bolts of
screenwriting, from creating a compelling premise to
formatting the final copy. Aided by excerpts from
American Fil nstine
Filmmaker Frank Capra received the
well-known screenplays, students learn how to think Ry eaFim Institute's Life
visually, create memorable characters, write engaging Achievement Avard in 1982.
dialogue and build effective scene structures to enhance
their stories. Screenwriting terminology and writing strategies--along with sample pages and
templates--will help guide you through the screenwriting process from the initial inspiration
to the finished script.
Creating a premise for your screenplay
‘When I was a first year fellow at the American Film Institute's Center for Advanced Film
and Television Studies, the question I dreaded hearing the most from Center director Toni
Vellani was, "What is the premise of your story?" To be asked that question meant that on
some fundamental level my film had failed. It failed because, in Mr. Vellani’s opinion, 1
hadn't conveyed to the audience what was driving my
story, or why the audience should care Discussion
ing up with a story premise seems like What are the premises of some
of your favorite films? Maybe
you have a few ideas for a
story, but haven't narrowed
your premise down yet. Maybe
Although c
a simple enough task, I can safely say that 90 percent
of the films made during my first year at the
American Film Institute (AFI) failed Vellani's
premise test. a simple premise could provide
a you the starting point for your
Often times, what makes a story move isn’t what first screenplay.
inspires us to sit down and attempt to write a
screenplay. The source of inspiration may bea great {Dis: Discuss with others your
idea for an opening, a setting, a character or « plot idea for a good premise. }
twist. While there's nothing wrong with starting withwhatever stirs our imaginations and passions, at some point you should ask, "What is my
story about?"
In his book The Art of Dramatic Writing (1977), teacher and playwright Lajos Egri discusses
at length how premises work. Egri states:
Everything has a purpose, or premise. Every second of our life has its own
premise, whether or not we are conscious of it at the time. That premise may be
a
simple as breathing or as complex as a vital emotional decision, but it is
always there...Every good play must have a well-formulated premise...No idea,
and no situation, was ever strong enough to carry you through to its logical
conclusion without a clear-cut premise.
‘The premise should he the driving force hehind every event in your screenplay. A good
premise is derived from emotions--love, hate, fear, jealousy, desire, ete.--and revolves
around a character, a conflict and a conclusion. For example, the prer
e of William
Shakespeare's Othello is that unchecked jealousy leads to death. Othello is the character, his
jealousy of Desdemona is the conflict and death (of both) is the conclusion, In James
‘Cameron's film Titanic (1997), the premise is that love conquers death, physically and
spiritually. Rose is the character, the sinking ship and
Rose's forced engagement are the conflict and the
conclusion is that Jack's love helps her beat death and
free herself from her fiancé. In Jonathan Demme's
film The Silence of the Lambs (1991), the premise is
that courage destroys evil. FBI agent Clarice Starling
is the character, the conflict is her fear of the serial
killer Buffalo Bill and the conclusion is that she
overcomes her fears in order to defeat her opponent.
As noted by Egri, "A good premise is a thumbnail
synopsis of your play.”
If your story does not have a clear premise, it will
lack focus and drive. For example, if a story is more
"illustrative" than dramatic, presenting ideas rather
than conflict, it may not maintain an audience's
interest.If a story has more than one premise, or if the
premise changes along the way, it will confuse and
bore the audience. Either way, the script won't work,
However, some screenplays, like Steven Gaghan's
script for Traffic (2000) and Alan Ball's script for
American Beauty (1999), are able to succeed with
multiple story lines and points of view. This is
because while these movies may seem at first to be
without a premise, in fac
Session 1
Starting to write
What inspires screenwriters?
Everything. Real-life
experiences, dreams, songs,
paintings, magazine articles,
history books, fiction--all can be
sources of inspiration. No two
writers work in the same way.
‘Some need the discipline of
routine--one hour every
weekday evening, or all day
Sunday, for example. Other
writers prefer a more
spontaneous approach. Once
you've figured out what works
best for you, be consistent.
Good work habits help keep you
focused. Schedule regular
breaks during your writing
hours. If you get stuck, lie
down. Great ideas are more
likely to come to you when
you're relaxed.
cach separate storyline has its own clear premise