Audiovisual Design

STAGES OF SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT

Concept/Treatment/Screenplay

Concept
Describes basic outline of story. Who is the protagonist? (main character who drives the story).
What do they want? What gets in the way? What do they do? (goals+conflict=action). Where does the story take place?(time/location).

Treatment
Scene by scene in present tense of how film unfolds. Basic actions and plot structures. Generally equates to a paragraph for each major dramatic event. Not fully developed scenes with dialogue, precise settings or actions.

Dramatic Event = Narrative Beat
Narrative beat = an event which by actions, decisions or revelations of that moment move the plot forward by intensifynig plot or moving plot in new direction. Treatment sketches in essential events. Feelings not precision.

Non-Dramatic Treatments aka Project Proposals
Contains stylistic, information, content, technical specs, delivery mode, talent, length, schedule.
Written so look, feel, sound of project are important factors. Document is written to be read so project can be made so should be seen as a oppotunity to engage reader.

Screenplay
Written as it unfolds to an audience. A technical document and a literary manuscript. Communicates the 'spirit'of visual approach, tone, rhythm and pov.

Elements
-title
-scene heading
-stage direction
-dialogue
-character cues
-personal direction