Unit 22: M1 - Explain the conventions to be used in the formatting and layout of your script

Unit 3: Analysing Short Films

Alone

Three Act Narrative

Setup - The film starts in an office with the protagonist receiving a phone call from what appears to be his girl friend or wife. We then discover that it is actually all a dream (that is a flashback from something that happened previously). Then once he is awake we discover, through him explaining his situation through voiceover (us hearing him think). We find out that he is the only person left on earth, after an apocalypse.

Confrontation - The problem that arises is the fact that this man is feeling so lonely being on earth by himself. He finds himself not talking for weeks at a time. The only company he has is playing a voice mail saved in his phone from his girlfriend/wife over and over.

Resolution - In the closing scene of the film we see the man walking down the empty road. A light then switches on in a house at the side of the road. This makes us (and him think), maybe there is someone else?

Characters and Dialogue

Co-worker in the office comes in says one line about a report as he hands paper to the protagonist. This has been done purely to show how life was once normal.  

Main character is the man who ends up being the last man on earth. We hear very little on screen dialogue from his as he has no one to talk to/ no reason for him to speak. We hear a voiceover of him that represents the thoughts going through his mind.

There is also an off screen character (the protagonists wife/girlfriend), we only hear her over the phone/voice mail.

Sound & Music

There is very little music in this film, instead we hear the character moving around and natural sounds. This has been done to show how empty the earth is, how alone the protagonist is. The quietness represents the nothingness.

Editing & SFX

It is edited so that the camera always follows the movements of the main character. It is filmed with a very shallow depth of field and the camera is always very close to the character. This will be done again to represent how he is the only thing there is, the only thing 'worth' seeing.

The Silent

Three Act Narrative

This film doesn't really follow a three act narrative. It is instead just a collection of jump scares that keep the viewer gripped (as they want to know what is coming next) and random incidents. There is some kind of story, something to do with the girl having nightmares and them coming true in real life. But it doesn't really have a resolution.

Characters & Dialogue

The main character is a young girl, we see her playing in different places although most of the time she is stood there, looking scared.

There are other characters included, such as the girls mum and other mysterious men. However these only appear briefly, never say anything and usually are something the girl is scared of. They are there to make up the jump scares and create the scary things.

Sound and Music

In this film there is a mixture of silent/quiet moments that usually turn into moments were music and sound effects build. This is all done to build tension and create the jump scares.

Editing and SFX

The whole film has a flat and cool colour grade. This makes things look dark and unfriendly which creates a strange atmosphere which sets the mood for the film. There are also some rapid jump cuts between some shots to let the viewers see a glimpse of something (but not clearly or properly). This helps to build the suspense because we wonder what that thing is and whether this could develop later in the film.

Unit 22: First Draft of Screenplay

My first draft of my screenplay, called 'Part Timer':

Unit 22: The scenes and locations for 'Part Timer'

The next part of the development of the story is to decide what locations my film will be set in and how it will be split into scenes.

Film Name: Part Timer (name subject to change).

Scene 1 - In the Doctor's Surgery. 

The film opens to Dr Ruislip in his Dr Surgery at a desk with medial equipment laid out and a computer open with documents and his timetable on screen. Near the desk are two chairs were patients can sit in. On the walls there are health warning posters. The room is very well lit. 

There is a door just behind the two patient chairs which leads into a waiting room. In the waiting room there are 8 chairs laid out sat opposite each other with a small coffee table in the centre with some magazines and books on. There are 4 patients sat on the chairs scattered around the room. No one is talking, the mood seems sombre. There are health posters on the wall and the room is well lit. There is a TV on with the news in one corner of the room. 

Scene 2 - In the Doctor's car. 

The Doctor leaves the surgery in a rush and gets into the driving seat of a small VW Polo. The car is very tidy and clean. When the engine starts music comes on very loud but the driver turns it off immediately. 

The doctor drives away very quickly. 

Scene 3 - The Forest

It is a wet day and everything is quite dark and miserable. It is muddy on the ground. The Doctor drags the man out of the boot, through the mud and into the forest. He then ties up the man against a tree, and starts questioning him. 

Scene 4 - A house

In the evening. This is the house that is robbed by the desperate Alexander Woodstock. It has a kitchen with lots of draws that can be searched through. There is money in some of the draws which he finds. Otherwise most of the things in the draws end up on the floor. 


Scene 5 - The Doctor's House

A large house on a quiet road. The big front door is where the doctor comes out in hand cuffs, lead by Police #1. 

Unit 22: Developing the backstories of my characters for the 'Part timer' film

Before I start writing my screenplay I need to develop the characters to further to help get an idea of who they are, what they do and why they do it.

Film Name: Part Timer (name subject to change).

Main Character - The Doctor - called 'Dr Barnaby Ruislip'.

In his late 20s/early 30s.

A man who has recently graduated in to being a doctor. He spent 7 years at University and obtained a first class degree. He cares about his patients very much and always wants the best for them. However, whilst he was at University he got involved with a 'off the books' loan company that lends money to people, even the ones who cannot be trusted at paying back. They get the money back by 'physically' forcing people to give it back.

Since his return to home and start of proper work, the doctor has continued this work 'part time'. He leans money to struggling, vulnerable people and if they don't pay him back he threatens and punishes them.


Main Character - The Man in the boot of the car - called Alexander Woodstock.

In his mid 20s.

Is a man who has had a difficult upbringing and is unable to obtain a job. He has a large family which he needs to provide for. However no-one will lend him money so he has turned to the 'doctor'. He borrowed a substantial amount from the doctor a month previously, but now has no way to pay him back. So the doctor is taking action.


Secondary Character - a patient in the surgery - called Chris Hargraves.

Teenage boy aged 17.

A patient who has had a bad cold and headache for many weeks. He wants the help of the doctor to get him better.


Secondary Character - a patient in the surgery - called Albert Davies.

An older man who has a bad leg and is hobbling, he has had the injury for many years and is waiting to be referred to a specialist. He is hopping Dr Ruislip can help.


Secondary Character - Police #1

A plain-clothed middle aged police officer who has an ID badge around his neck. He is carrying handcuffs and a baton. He is responding to a call of a burglary when he is introduced into the film.


Secondary Character - Police #2

Another plain-clothed police officer a little younger then the other one.  This was responds to the orders of Police #1.