Basics Film-Making 02: Screenwriting

Robert Edgar-Hunt is programme head of Film and TV Production at York St John University. He also practises as a screenwriter and has research interests in creative writing, postmodernism and film directing. John Marland is senior lecturer in Film and TV Production at York St John University. His research interests include the relationship between film and psychoanalysis. James Richards is a lecturer in Screenwriting at York St John University and a freelance writer for television, film and radio as well as journalism and corporate videos. He won a Bafta award and has worked as a writer and script editor on soaps, dramas and documentaries.

• How to get the most out this book. Introduction. What is screenplay?: The screenwriter; Writing for the screen; What is script? Script forms - feature film/short film; Good practice; Finding your ideas. Concept/Treatment/Pitch: Essential elements of storytelling; Genre/form; Log lines; Treatment; Step treatment; The pitch; Script formats. First draft: Character; Creating the world; The physical world - mise en scene; Action; Tone and genre; Dialogue. Second draft: Writing the second draft; Whose story is this?; Voice-over; Making dialogue convincing; How do I explain what's happening?; Refining dialogue; Mise en scene - next steps; Beginnings and endings. Script editing: Critiquing and feedback; Analysis: character and world; Analysis: action, interaction and structure; Analysis: word and image; Analysis: closure/ambiguity; After effects and meaning. Screenwriters: unscripted 144: Alisha McMahon; James Condon; Thomas Gladstone and Alexander Johnson; Alexander Woodcock; Mark Herman. Conclusion. Glossary. A Nice Cup of tea; complete drafts. Picture credits. Acknowledgements.

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