Script analysis
- 1. THE HANDMAID’S TALE TV SCRIPT ANALYSIS The main title is in bold on the front page, with underneath showing that this script is made for ‘Episode 201’ by Bruce Miller. It is a single strand narrative, which therefore means that it is based around one character and then the other minor characters surround her. SYNOPSIS: It is the story of life in the Dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society, where Handmaid’s are assigned to bear children for elite couples that may have trouble conceiving. This script includes the first 10 pages of the episode, which includes a full flashback. (Narrative theory: Allan Cameron Modular Narratives: Anachronic: Modified flashbacks.) The style of the script immediately sets the scene, as the location sub titles such as ‘INT. RED CENTRE- DORM- NIGHT- FLASHBACK’ allows us to know that it’s inside, a flashback and what time of day. It is also written in Typewriter text, which is the typical script font. Edward Branigan’s narrative theory (internal focalisation represents a character’s private and subjective experiences eg. a flashback) is shown here. The genre is Dystopian society, which applies to the genre theory, (audience feels secure in their knowledge, as they know what to expect, a frightening picture of the world and future.) The target audience would be late teenagers-adults, who have strong minds as I feel as if they’d be within the category of C1 on the 4C’s scale, lower middle class, this is because this piece is taught in high level Literature courses and therefore harder to understand and critique. Within the ‘Young and Rubican’ theory model, they would be in The Resigned or The Reformer category; (unchanging values over time and own independent values.) The Handmaid’s represent ‘The Donors’ (Vladimir Propp 1928). At the end of the script, it concludes the flashback. Edward Branigan’s narrative theory, (cause-effect chain of events with a beginning, middle and end.)
- 2. THE TRUMAN SHOW FILM SCRIPT ANALYSIS This shooting script is for the film The Truman Show, and includes the first 10 pages from the film. It is a single stranded narrative, which means that Truman, the main character and also the hero in this film, is surrounded by minor characters but is most certainly based around him. The film is about a live broadcast of Truman’s every move captured by hidden cameras. The public also acts as the villains in the film, as they are hiding the huge secret that is the main plot of the film.) The script starts with a description of setting and how the actors are meant to act, including directions such as ‘TRUMAN. EMOTIONLESS.’ This is written in the typical script typewriter font and therefore follows the distinctive script writing conventions. The target audience for this film range from children-adults. This is because it’s easily understandable and easy and clear to follow. They would be skilled working class- middle class on the 4C’s scale, as this film is for everyone to enjoy. Young and Rubican audience theory would include the category’s ‘The Mainstream’ and ‘The Explorer’, as these people live in a world of everyday and would be happy to watch somebody else do this too. The children would also feel involved when looking at this script and seeing ‘School Mistress’, as this is something they can relate to. The genres of this film are Comedy, Fantasy, Satire, Parody and Drama. This is shown through the clear, easy and comedic element to the descriptions and dialogue. (Fantasy: perfect, pretty locations.) This film has a beginning, middle and end and therefore embodies a judgement about the nature of events (Edward Branigan Narrative Theory 1992.)
- 3. SHAMED RADIO PLAY SCRIPT ANALYSIS This script is made for a radio play, and following on from the first part of the script, it follows Edward Branigan’s Narrative theory of the play having a traditional beginning, middle and end. This hard-hitting drama is about Shabana, the main character, looking for her son as he has been arrested for a serious crime. She is determined to be supportive and clear his name. It is written in typical script typewriter font and uses ‘INT.’ and ‘EXT.’ to show locations. The genre of this radio play is Drama, which is shown on Channel 4, part of one of the ‘4 mainstream channels’, which suggests it is highly popular and highly viewed. The target audience for the radio play is for young adults- adults who typically watch Drama’s on television and particularly avid Channel 4 viewers. They would be in ‘The Mainstream’ category on the ‘Young and Rubican’ audience theory scale, and would be skilled working class-middle class on the 4C’s scale. This is because this is a drama that most people would be able to watch and follow along to. Mainstreamer’s also like the everyday life, and therefore would enjoy watching a drama about somebody’s problems within their life too. Shabana, the main protagonist, is also the hero in this play, as she is the character who seeks something. This show is also ethnically diverse, as it accepts and targeted at all ethnically diverse groups, and includes characters of different cultures, ‘Mrs Amjad’ and the main character herself, ‘Shabana’. At the end of the script, it concludes a scene of ‘Shamed’, however leaves on a future build up to the plot and therefore will later on see action; (Action Code: Tzvetan Todorov 1969 narrative theory.)
- 4. MAX PAYNE GAME SCRIPT ANALYSIS This game script involves PART 1: The American Dream, starting with The Prologue (before the actual game play, where it introduces the plot, characters and the build up to the crisis.) It is for Max Payne the video game, who is a cop in NYPD, sets out to uncover the truths behind his family’s murder. It is a single stranded narrative and therefore is based around the main character, and hero, Max Payne. The different characters within the game, ‘Thug 1, Thug 2, Cop 1, Cop 2’ are easy to differentiate by the number after their name, therefore easy for the actors and actresses to understand. It also instantly describes the location and where the game is set, New York City. The genre is a third person shooter, which includes violence. Therefore, the target audience is for those over the age of 17. They would also come under the category ‘The Succeeder’ as they have self-confidence, and will want to relate to the main character (personal relationships.) or ‘The Aspirer’, as they have ambition and want to solve problems, which is perfect for a video game like this. ‘And I was in for the ride…’ presents a puzzle/riddle that needs to be solved, therefore it teases the audience. (Enigma Code.) ‘Scared to go to the Control Room alone’ and ‘your gun’ presents action and events that are about to take place; (Action Code: Roland Barthes 1960s). The script ends with the end of the Prologue, just before the game begins. At the end of the game following on from this script, the narrative follows a 3-part structure, where finally they reach a resolution where the equilibrium is restored; (Tzvetan Todorov 1969). It also has a clear beginning middle and end; (Edward Branigan 1992).