Screenwriting - How to Write a Blockbuster
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The document outlines the essentials of screenwriting, emphasizing the various components needed to successfully pitch an idea, including the pitch, logline, synopsis, treatment, and screenplay. Key elements of a great pitch include originality, mass audience appeal, story specificity, and profitability potential. The document also highlights resources for learning screenwriting and underscores the continuous growth required in the craft.
Screenwriting - How to Write a Blockbuster
- 1. The Art of Screenwriting Created by John M. Grace I.A.T.S.E. Local 491 Education Member of SOC
- 2. Ways to sell your great idea The Pitch Usually verbal – given to a studio exec The Logline Like you would see in TV Guide The Synopsis Usually one page covering the basics The Treatment The Screenplay
- 3. What Makes a Great Pitch? Is it High Concept ? Is it Original and Unique?
- 4. What Makes a Great Pitch? Is it High Concept ? Is it Original and Unique? Does it Have Mass Audience Appeal?
- 5. What Makes a Great Pitch? Is it High Concept ? Is it Original and Unique? Does it Have Mass Audience Appeal? Is your pitch story specific?
- 6. What Makes a Great Pitch? Is it High Concept ? Is it Original and Unique? Does it Have Mass Audience Appeal? Is your pitch story specific? Is there obvious potential (profitable)?
- 7. What Makes a Great Pitch? Is it High Concept ? Is it Original and Unique? Does it Have Mass Audience Appeal? Is your pitch story specific? Is there obvious potential (profitable)? Can it be summarized in a few words?
- 8. What Makes a Great Pitch? Is it High Concept ? Is it Original and Unique? Does it Have Mass Audience Appeal? Is your pitch story specific? Is there obvious potential (profitable)? Can it be summarized in a few words? IS IT PITCHABLE? If not, write it down…
- 9. Ways to sell your great idea The Pitch Usually verbal – given to a studio exec The Logline Like you would see in TV Guide
- 10. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
- 11. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. The GODFATHER
- 12. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.
- 13. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption. PULP FICTION
- 14. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: While not especially intelligent, the protagonist has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny, eludes him.
- 15. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: While not especially intelligent, the protagonist has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny, eludes him. FORREST GUMP
- 16. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.
- 17. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers. The MATRIX
- 18. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.
- 19. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims. SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
- 20. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.
- 21. What’s in a Logline? Identify these films: Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications. CASABLANCA
- 22. Ways to sell your great idea The Pitch Usually verbal – given to a studio exec The Logline Like you would see in TV Guide The Synopsis Usually one page covering the basics
- 23. The Synopsis
- 24. Ways to sell your great idea The Pitch Usually verbal – given to a studio exec The Logline Like you would see in TV Guide The Synopsis Usually one page covering the basics The Treatment
- 25. The Treatment
- 26. The Treatment
- 27. The Treatment
- 28. Ways to sell your great idea The Pitch Usually verbal – given to a studio exec The Logline Like you would see in TV Guide The Synopsis Usually one page covering the basics The Treatment The Screenplay
- 29. The Screenplay Screenplay/Script: The screenplay supplies the general plan for the production of a film and there are two types: The “spec” script The “shooting” script
- 30. The Screenplay Screenplay/Script: The screenplay supplies the general plan for the production of a film and there are two types: The “spec” script The “shooting” script A typical screenplay is 90-120 pages (averaging 1 page per minute)
- 31. The Screenplay The “Spec” (Speculation) Script is the version of a screenplay that writers distribute to producers in the hope that it will be “optioned” (considered for production). It primarily contains: Slug-Lines (brief description of the scenes, e.g. “INT. ROOM – DAY” which means the interior of a room during the day) Business (description of characters’ actions) Dialog (the lines to be spoken by the actors)
- 35. The Screenplay The Shooting Script is a much more detailed version of the spec script that includes numbered scenes, specific camera angles and other technical information. An example of a page from a shooting script can be seen on the next slide.
- 37. The Screenplay Proper Formatting
- 38. The Screenplay Proper Formatting
- 39. The Screenplay Proper Formatting
- 40. The Screenplay How to Learn the Basics Screenwriting Seminars
- 41. The Screenplay How to Learn the Basics Screenwriting Seminars Books like “Screenplay” by Sid Field “Adventures in the Screen Trade” Goldman “Making a Good Script Great” Seeger “Writing Down the Bones” Goldberg “How to Write a Movie in 21 Days” King
- 42. The Screenplay We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master. Ernest Hemingway
- 43. The Screenplay We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master. Ernest Hemingway So what’s stopping you?
- 44. The End