Writing Screen Media

Story is supreme - character are what they do.
Story events impact the characters and the characters impact the events.
Actions and reactions create revelations and insight, opening the door to a meaningful emotional experiencefor the audience.

"Structure is character - story is what a movie, transforming a good film into a great one" Robert McKee

"You have to have total myopic devotion. Writing is such a firm commitment. Writing is about re-writing. You're never going to get there through the first draft. We were willing to - and did - throw out entire draftstwo days before taping. If it's on the page, it'll be on the stage." Max Mutchnick, Creator, Executive Producer, Will and Grace

"I'm an observer, a writer, I observe humanity and get the best of them and put them in my movies." Mel Brooks, Writer, Producer and Director

Freeman's Deepening Techniques

-General Deepening
-Scene Deepening
-Character Deepening
-Empathy Deepening
-Dialogue Deepening

Freeman has a specific number of technique for each.

LAYERS
The importance of creating intresting, three dimensional characters and the avoid of cliche.

General Deepening (add complexity)
1 - Layer (most importance thing to have)
2 - Pain (expressed or hold in)
3 - Humilation, Shame, Regret
4 - Aesthetics
5 - Understation or angled spiritually
6 - Widsom, insight
7 - Responsibility
8 - Self Sacrifice
9 - Mystery

CHARACTER
"Every actor must create the part differently than every other actor would because it's a marriage of their essence with the character's essence." Dustin Hoffman

SUBTEXT
Language is what we say with words and subtext is what we really say with our body language, with our tone of voice, with our eyes and expression. WESTON pg.85

BUT HOW TO WRITE IT
Metaphor, behaviour, attitude can be written in and then it's up to the director and actors spot it.
Reaction of the character to something beautiful.

Traits of a Character
-Wild
-Wired
-Electric
-Essentric
-Obsessive
-ETC

Audiovisual Design

The Bar

Tyler- He is a young man early 20's. His interests are gambling and drinking, which occasionally gets him into trouble. He always wears a silver pendent which was given to him by his grandfather.

Johnson- Tall, skinny middle aged man. He is always very well dressed, spoken but is very arrogant and stubborn man. Nobody really knows what he does but he knows many people and speaks many languages.

Randel- A old man, carries a walking stick and has a pet dog named Trevor. He is a very cultured man. He has served in the Army and now runs a jewellers in London.

Tyler stumbles out of the casino. He had just lost 20 grand in a big game of poker. He starts walking down the dark streets of London. The bars and clubs are closed, not even the sound of a car can be heard. In the distance a small bar can be seen, windows lite up. He makes his way towards the bar, opens the wooden doors, walks in. The bar is deserted except for a skinny man sat at the back, head down sipping his drink. The Barman greets the Tyler and introduces himself as Randel. Randel spoke slow and calculated with a slight american accent. He place his walking stick onto the bar.

Randel
What can I get you?

Tyler
Whiskey on the rocks

Randel
Where have you been tonight?

Tyler
At the casino

Randel
You know, you shouldn't go there. The company is not so good.

Tyler
what do you know old man?

Randel
I know that if you don't pay up they start breaking bones. If you know what I mean?

Tyler
Another one please

Randel begins to make him another drink

Tyler
Is this your bar Randel?

Randel
Yep, bought this place 30 years ago. It's my pride and joy. I didn't get your name?

Tyler
It's Tyler

Randel
Well Tyler, how much did you win at the casino?

Tyler
I didn't. For now I'm in the casino's pocket

Randel
Not so good

Tyler
You don't need to tell me that, I already know. Another one please.

Randel
I don't think drink is the answer.

Tyler
Just keep them coming old man. Whiskey clears my head, makes me think better.

Randel
Have you met Trevor?

Tyler looks at Randel confused. Randel peers over the bar.

Randel
Down there

Tyler looks down at his feet. To his amazement there is a small bulldog sat between his feet starring straight at him. He takes another sip of his drink.

Tyler
Nice dog

Randel
So how are you going to pay the casino?

Tyler
I don't know. I've been in tighter situations. Where's the pisser?

Randel points at a door at the end of the bar. Tyler enters the washroom. He takes a piss then starts to wash his hands. The washroom door opens, Tyler looks up to see the tall man standing behind him starring at Tyler in the mirror.

Tyler
What are you looking at?

Johnson
My name is Johnson. I have a proposition for you.

Tyler
On yer bike mate.

Johnson
You seem like a guy that knows when to keep his mouth shut.

Tyler
How do you know I'm not undercover?

Johnson
You don't look like police, walk like police and you certainly don't talk like police.

Tyler
Well since we're now locked in conversation, what is it exactly I do for you?

Johnson
That Barman Randel is a very wealthy man. He buys and sells diamonds illegally around the world. He has contacts in the M15, French special intelligence and Japanese Yakuzas. He has £3 million hidden under this bar. It's there for the taking if you get my drift?

Tyler
So what do you want me to do?

Johnson
Just grab the old man when his back is turned.

Tyler
Why don't I just knock him out?

Johnson
He's the only one who knows where the money is.

Tyler
What's my cut?

Johnson
10%

Tyler
20%

Johnson
Deal

Tyler leaves the washroom first then followed by Johnson. Tyler sits back at the bar.

Tyler
Another one Randel

Randel turns around to make his drink. While Randel is distracted Tyler quickly climbs over the bar and Johnson makes his way over to the pair. Tyler grabs hold off Randel.

Randel
What are you doing?

Johnson
Don't move and you won't get hurt.

Tyler
Sorry old man just do what he says.

Randel
What do you want?

Johnson
The money hidden under the bar.

Randel
I guess you already know who this money belongs to?

Johnson
It's part of the reason this unfortunate transaction is happening.

Randel
He will find you. When he does he will torture you and if your lucky, he will kill you quickly.

Johnson
He won't find me.

Tyler
Where's the key?

Randel
I don't think you know what your getting yourself into here.

Tyler
I'm all in now, can't fold a winning hand.

Johnson
Give me the key Randel.

Randel
I can't do that.

Johnson
Please don't make me hurt you.

Johnson reveals a handgun from under his jacket and points it straight at Randel.

Randel
It's on Trevor's collar.

Johnson reaches down and grabs the key from Trevor's collar and throws it to Tyler.

Johnson
There's a trapdoor about where your standing.

Tyler spots the trapdoor and begins to unlock it. He swings the door open. A large black bag.

Johnson
Open it.

Tyler pulls out the bag and places it next to him. He unzips the bag.

Tyler
I've never seen so much money.

Johnson
Pass it over the bar.

Tyler
I'll hold onto it for now.

Johnson
Suite yourself.

Johnson points the gun at Tyler and shoots him in the chest. Tyler falls to the ground. His vision starts to fade.

Tyler wakes gasping for air. He looks down at his chest, no bullet holes but a large dent on his pendent. He sits up. Randel is lying next to him in a pool of blood. There's a shotgun in his right hand and the bag of money in the other. Tyler peers over the bar. Johnson lies lifeless on the floor several holes in his gut.

Tyler
So much for a percentage.

Tyler reaches for the bag of money. Randel opens his eyes, coughs up blood and struggles to talk.

Tyler
Shit old man you scarred me.

Randel
Leave...... the money...............it belongs to...................

Randel passes away.


Tyler places the blood covered bag onto a table. He opens the bag, stares at the money. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breathe.