Research and Planning: Model example of script/screenplay

http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Twilight.html

In order to get an idea of how to write a screenplay we did some research in to film scripts. We used the Twilight script to guide us on what type of things are required for our screenplay.

Research and planning: Screenplay

BLACK SCREEN (non-diegetic music)

STRAIGHT CUT (non-diegetic music)

EXT. Jubilee River - DAY

Sunlight is reflecting on the river, silhouette of trees, sun in the sky

Tree tops with sky

Vanishing point of bridge 

White  sunlight glowing through the leaves with river in the background 

CRYSTAL 

Hand lying on grass with sun glistening on bracelet 

Flashback/vision of bracelet being handed to Crystal (black and white format)
 
Eyes flickering with confusionFlashback/vision of her sister on the bridge 

Gradually getting up from the ground unstably near the river and bridge

Feet stumble on wet grass 

Hand in hair, looking around dazed with disorientation 

Walking towards the broken fence and climbing over, puzzled of her previous actions 

CRYSTAL POV

Walking away, looking around, quick glance at bridge 

Walks on to bridge and walks away.

Research and Planning: Test shots.

As a group, we went to the location of where our film opening is going to be set. We used the schools iPad and my iPhone to practice shooting different types of shots that we may use for our actual film opening. It helped us a lot to visualize what we want. Doing practice shots, has given us an insight for preparing for the actual filming day. Now we can plan exactly what we need to do without wasting time or shots.

Research and planning: New film synopsis

A girl wakes up at an unknown location confused.

A 16 year old girl suffers from amnesia after being involved in a tragic accident. Her parents died in the car crash, due to the impact of the accident it resulted in her to suffer from amnesia. The girl is always confused and unsure of what she is doing. She now lives with her aunt who works long night shifts as she is a nurse. She is drawn to this bridge location frequently as she keeps seeing visions of her sister who committed suicide at the bridge. The girl does not have much knowledge of her sister due to her condition but learns more about him everyday through her aunt and the visions she has. Her sister gave her a bracelet which she does not know the full meaning of, but she feels complete and significant with it.  Her aunt is concerned about her, therefore she recommends her to see a therapist to help her out with her memory. As time goes on, her memory starts to improve however, when she goes back to school she wanders off  with frustration and ends up hurting herself. As a result of hurting herself, she wakes up in hospital confused, not remembering the previous events that occurred. At the hospital she is put through some brain tests but the doctors are unable to diagnose her with anything but give her some medication anyway and advises her to continue on with her therapy sessions. The more time goes by, her memory deteriorates even more, she feels empty as there is nothing in her life to live for and she feels like she is dying inside. Due to the pain of seeing the frequent visions of her sister, it drives her to commit suicide at the bridge like her sister did.

Research and Planning: Film opening analysis- Inception

We decided to carry out research in to the film Inception as it is a psychological thriller which is the same genre as our film is going to be. We wanted to see how the director shot the opening to gain some insight in to what we want to do with our own film opening. This film is full of suspense and enigma which keeps the audience curious and interested throughout the film, the reality is constantly blurred.

Right at the beginning, dramatic music begins straight away as the film company/production titles appear on a smoky black screen. The music draws you in and instantly sets a tone of mystery. 

Suddenly we are introduced to some visuals of waves in the sea, the music stops and there are diegetic noises of water. The camera then pans to a character who is lying on the shore with waves splashing on him. This creates mystery. Audience will ask questions such as; who is he? what is he doing there?

Just as you think that the music has stopped, gentle music begins to play which contrasts with the dramatic music right at the beginning. We see that there are 2 children playing on the beach and the man laying in the sand is watching them. The voices of the children sound as if they are coming from the mans point of view as they do not sound very clear. This can suggest that the man is just regaining consciousness perhaps.

All of a sudden out of nowhere, a man comes along and holds a gun to the other mans back and then the camera shot shows who he is (some figure of authority). 

The security guard finds a gun on the man and shouts out in a foreign language to another security guard. The camera angle is from a low angle from the security guard, perhaps to show vulnerability of the other character and maybe a differentiation in status.

Now the camera shot is inside in a strange looking room. The shot makes it feels like you as an audience is peering in to the room or like someone else is maybe watching and it slowly zooms in to bring you to see an old mans head who is talking. 

In this shot, we see a character eating some food. Then it changes to an over the shoulder shot where the old man is blurred in the background but then gradually we come to see his face and finally that anticipation to see who he is is fulfilled for the audience. 

Here is a link from youtube for the opening: