For this assignment we have been asked to create a script for a short film, which falls under the genre of drama and thriller. The name of our short film is "Suicide?". Throughout looking at different types of scripts and the format they use we have been able to compose a five-minute short film script that reflects the genres of horror, thriller and drama. Before we started to write and plan out the script and the narrative, we looked at the target audience and demographics and decided what type of things interest them, and what age group and gender particularly see drama and thriller movies. From the research we found that the thriller and drama genre was very generalized; meaning both genders had an interest in it. From the audience profile we created before carrying out the task of script writing, it states that the person enjoys socializing with his friends, such as going to the cinema or shopping. To ensure that the script was suitable and appealing to the target audience, I made sure that the narrative of the script included social events between two friends, to reflect the audience’s lifestyle. Here is an example from the script.
From this example we can read from the left hand side in size 12 Courier New that scene two is located at Cafe' Nero, which is a social area. The stage direction that is positioned in the centre indicates that two friends are meeting up for a friendly day; this reflects the social lifestyle of the target audience.
Another example from the script, which makes it appealing and suitable for a female audience is the language used from the character Jake.
The language used from Jake connotes love and affection, it is very devoted to the character Grace and this is a element in the script that would appeal to a female audience. The language links to the theory by Carl Rodgers of ideal partners, a female audience may feel escapism from this as they enter a fantasy of what they would expect and want from their ideal partner. It creates my short film into a hybrid of genres; including love.
The horror genre that is carried out through the script appeals to an older audience, as it brings the feeling of spectacle and escapism. The reason why it is more suitable to an older audience is because it is more understandable and intriguing, a younger audience may misunderstand the theme. An example from the script where the horror genre is included to create spectacle is towards the end, at the new equilibrium, where Grace is murdered.
On this example the horror, thriller and crime genre has been brought in. On the far right hand side the shooting script includes many camera techniques to create a fast pace, which reflects the adrenalin of the scene. The stage directions that are centred in the middle of the page also show conventions of crime and horror, which would appeal to an older audience.
The mental problems that Jake is facing will also link to the target audience as it is a huge problem that occurs with young people that is shadowed frequently. Although Jakes mental issues are exagarrated throughout the film to make it interesting and intriging, the whole issue of mental health in young people is reflected, which will link to the target audience as the actors are the same age as our aimed target audience.
The Writers Group
The feedback from The Writers Group was very useful in terms of getting our script up to the standard of being suitable to the genre and target audience. An improvement they gave us it to ensure the narrative was understandable. As our short film is very fast pace, sometimes understand the narrative from the different locations and characterisations was difficult and hard to keep up with. We structured our script to be non-linear and that’s where we feel we lost the narrative. As there is a rapid change between a social meet up with two friends to a horrific murder, the narrative loses itself. To improve this we made our script clearer on the genres of each scene and added more stage directions and details of the scene to ensure that the narrative was clear when filming. This was important as the narrative reflected our genres, if the narrative wasn't clear to the target audience a misunderstanding of the genres would have been created, and the whole production would not of been successful.
Another improvement that we were given was our shooting script lacked detail. Each line needed to include a variety of camera techniques in order to reinforce the fast pace of the film. To achieve this we looked at our storyboard and included all the different movements and shot types for each part and added them onto the script. This was important for filming as on set we would be able to follow the shoot script and get the variety of camera techniques we needed to reinforce the fast pace.
On our shooting script we didn’t use the correct terminology when talking about the editing techniques that we were thinking of using. An example of where we went wrong is using the term "cross cut" instead of using the correct term "shot reverse shot". This was extremely important, as we were aiming to make our script as successful and professional as possible. It was also important in terms of editing, as we needed to know the correct terminology when we come to editing the short film.
Another improvement and a change we made to our script from the Writers Group feedback was adding low-key lighting and music- to add to the suspense and enigma the film. Adding this much detail to our script, helped create the mood of each scene, which was also useful to the actors as it would help develop their understand of each scene, and act upon their characterisation.
We are going to change parts of our script by looking at templates of scripts and scripts that fall under our genre. The script template will help us when we are improving our shoot script, to add more detail. The scripts we will look out will help us structure our narrative effectively, enabling us to have a better understand narrative.
This screenshot show the development of changes and improvements with have made to our script. From this example we can see that a lot more detail has been added onto the shooting script, which was used from our storyboard. This was important to add as it would help with our editing, but also adds to the fast pace and horror genre of our film.
House Style
As our script is a voice over of the character Jake, devoting is love and affection to Grace, the language is unformal; however very detailed on his feelings. Overall the house style of our script fits in with a proffesional short film script. The format is organised so that the dialogue is centred in the middle of the page, where as the shooting script is positioned to the left and the scene and opening details are positoned to the right. We used the font style Courier New 12. This is an example of the format of our script.
We have added shooting script conventions such as the camera angles we will use in each shot to emphasises the meaning and feelings in our film. An exapmle from our shooting script where we have added a camera angle to connote domiance and power is towards the end of the script, as this is where the main and horrif action takes place.
To suit and interest our target audience and to reflect the type of action and meaning in our film, we used peer-to-peer mode of address. Although our film is a voice other, the first scene is about two friends meeting up for a good catch up, it reflects our target audience's lifestyle and a peer-to-peer conversation. Here is an example where Grace and Jake will be having a peer-to-peer conversation.
An improvement
we could make to our script that reflect the mode of address is emphasising the
psychotic part of Jake more throughout his language. The expressive language he
used could link towards a teacher to pupil mode of address as he is educating
the audience about his love towards Grace; however this would bring out the
psychotic element to our film, as the language would have a deeper
meaning.
Another improvement we can make
to our script as it is missing for when we start filming is transitions for
sound and shots. This needs to be added onto our script as it will be important
for when we film to understand how characterisation needs to be changed and for
when we edit to add to the suspense. We also need to add camera movement to our
script as each shot needs to reflect a different meaning, and the camera
movement is an effective way to reflect this, making our film more interesting to
the audience.
COPYRIGHT
Although we have targeted our audience
towards the age of 18-30, the BBFC rating of films would be suitable towards 15
as well. The main features in our film that are suitable towards this age group
is the violence and action that is taken place. The language, although is too
devoting which resemble the psychotic element, isn't offensive towards a 15 age
group. The violence and meaning in our last scene is very powerful and reflects
the emotionally stability a young teenager might experience, which is why it
wouldn't be suitable to a younger audience, even though it wouldn't be graphic.
The music we have chosen to use in our film is free to the public, so there are no copyright issues for when we add music to our film.
