Writing a screenplay
Scarborough Writers’ Circle met on Tuesday March 17 when Circle member Geraint Thomas led the group through the interesting and informative life of a screen project in how to write and sell your screenplay.
Geraint gave an introduction into the history of film, informing the group that a screenplay is a blueprint to relay information to the producer in order to progress it into a film. He gave a demonstration, via a video clip with no dialogue, of how a film is visual storytelling, and how to move the story forward in ti me through sequences of an event during a backtrack song. He stated that the structure of song relates to screen writing and that structure is not there to rein you in but to set you free.
Geraint went on to inform the group of what makes a successful screenplay. He talked about and gave examples and i nformation on how to acquire the necessary tools to write a screenplay, as well as samples from recommended reading material (Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, Screenplay by Syd Field, Story by Robert McKee, The Anatomy of Story by John Truby, The Chimp Paradox by Dr Steve Peters, The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, and The Writers’ Journey - Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler).
Geraint illustrated the use of a 3D Roadmap of Change to look at using structure when writing the screenplay.
He demonstrated this cycle against a beat sheet (The Board) using the analogy of atightrope ( l i ne of stri ng) with 15 cards pegged to it denoting content at each stage of the story as a structure to work from but with freedom to move i t around i f necessary. He gave tips on how to build characters with flaws, use atmosphere and dialogue to good effect, build conflict into the story, and said never tell the audience - show them. Let them work it out for themselves.
Geraint then moved on to the aspect of formatting and selling the screenplay. He gave a demonstration on formatting and recommended a writing program called CELTX and Final Draft, and said it would be useful to read The Script Angel Guide to Making Your Script Industry-Ready by Hayley McKenzie.
Geraint concluded by handing out several CD s with the main points of the e ve ni ng , eg templates for character building and beat sheets, How to Write a Query Letter, and recommended reading content, PDF screenplay samples, etc (a copy of the CD is also available from the circle for members to borrow).
The Writers’ Circle meets on alternate Tuesdays at Scarborough Library from 7.15pm. At the next meeting Rosie Larner will talk about play writing. Guests are always welcome. Guests £2.50, students/members £1.50. More information at www.scarboroughwriterscircle.com.