Making a Silent Movie (Part 1) - Script Writing
Early filmmaker Dorothea Mitchell examined scripts that were ordered from amateur movie maker magazines; she and her friends found them "lacking", so she wrote her first script, based on her experiences in the logging industry. Dorothea owned and operated a sawmill near Port Arthur in the 1920's, and even wrote a book about her adventures, "Lady Lumberjack".
For their next two movies, she and the other members of the Port Arthur Amateur Cinema Society chose particular "genres" or types of movies and then she wrote the scripts to suit the available characters and settings. The results were evident in the romantic comedy, "Sleep Inn Beauty" and the suspense-mystery, "The Fatal Flower".
The components of any script include the following:
- Plot or story line
- Characters
- Setting
A script also includes directions to the actors regarding their movements in front of the camera. This is especially true for silent movies, because the actors must tell their stories without speech.
ACTIVITY 1: WRITING YOUR OWN SCRIPT
PART 1- WRITING
Using the present tense, write your story. Remember that ACTION is essential to tell your story. Include a beginning, middle and end.
The Beginning:
- Introduce your main characters, setting and conflict or point of difficulty early in the film.
- Make it interesting! Capture the attention of your audience.
The Middle:
- Give more information about the characters and the problem or difficulty they are experiencing.
- The excitement, anticipation, mystery or suspense should build during the middle.
- Add any “clues” that result in the climax or “high point” of the story. For example, actions that leads to the downfall of the villain, or the recovery of the hero or heroine.
The End:
- This includes the high point or climax of the story.
- The problem or difficulty is resolved; the truth is revealed.
PART 2- CREATING A SCRIPT
A) Mark Scenes
Go back and read your story. Plot out the scenes required to tell the story. Mark them as INTERIOR or EXTERIOR. You might want to do some editing at this point; consider the sets / scenes available to you. Also consider the number of characters required; if you are really going to make this movie, it is probably better to consider the number of actors in your filmmaking group.
Now break the story into scenes. Each scene will be a complete section of the story, telling one part or presenting one idea, like a paragraph in an essay. Identify the set required for each scene. Is it interior? Exterior? What are the characters wearing? Are there any special props?
For each scene, identify the SETTING and Write a brief description of each. Make sure to list all props, costumes and setting details. Mark the setting as INT or EXT. You will shoot all of the interior scenes at once, and then the exterior scenes. This means that you will not be filming in the order that the action occurs, but rather, by location.
B) Add Notes and Directions
Add notes regarding the ACTIONS of the characters. Don’t forget to add descriptive words to explain the character’s actions.
For example,
- Dolly looked surprised and upset after the phone call.
- The bank robber walked stealthily up the stairs.
Hints:
- Avoid having the characters tell the story – remember, this is a silent movie! They should act out their emotions and ideas.
- Identify the most interesting part of the story – this is probably the climax.
Now go through your scenes and think about lighting and the use of the camera. Is this going to be a wide angle shot? Close-up? Angle shot? Over the shoulder? Zoom? Use the camera to capture the main idea, to create a mood, or to express how the character is feeling. Make notes in your script about the shots you will want.
Include notes about sequencing and the passage of time in your script.
C) Edit
Once you have made your notes, have someone read your script over. Is it believable? Are the scenes too long? Are all of the scenes necessary? Most importantly, will you have enough actors to film the movie? Editing is important!
Make any necessary changes, then you’ll be ready to start shooting!
ACTIVITY 2: ADAPT A STORY
In this activity, you will choose a short story and write a script based on it.
- Choose a short story that has a few characters (3-5) and takes place in only a few locations.
- Using the guidelines given here, write the script. Don’t forget to identify:
- settings and props
- interiors and exteriors
- specific actions of the actors
- Mark interiors and exteriors and add notes for number 2 above.
- Have someone else read your script to see if you have included everything.
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