BLOG #13

Script Frenzy was a new type of experience for me that I was not used to. At first when we were given the assignment I was apprehensive, and unsure if I was going to be able to finish it and be able plan out the entire script to be ready in a month. I felt pressure to think of a strong idea right away and to get planning as soon as possible. I realized we had alot more time than I thought and the packet was really helpful in planning out scenes and characters. Without the packet I probably would have gotten stuck or bored later on in the project. Since we have been working on Script frenzy for so long, I am glad it is finally over. We planned out or script for awhile but towards the end of the project we lost our motivation to keep writing. After awhile it became hard to keep thinking of where to take the script next. Now that the project is completely done, I feel relieved however I did not reach my page count. I set an unrealistic goal of 80 pages and that was hard to achieve. In the Script Frenzy packet the outline was definitely the most helpful. Without it I would not have had as much of a solid idea and I wouldn't have known where to take my story. I didn't think the character bios helped that much, I already knew how to personify my character and the bios just took up time. Plus, I ended up changing some characters and adding new ones in anyways. Throughout this project I learned to keep writing even when it was challenging or if I was stuck. I learned to not self-edit and to just keep going with an idea. I learned to manage my time, even though I only wrote roughly 20 pages, I would try to write one or two a day. I learned that script writing is not as easy as it seems and a plan of action is needed before each day of writing. Without some sort of plan for the day the writing will be sloppy and the writing will get boring. My page goal was 80, and although I only wrote about 20 I still feel as though I planned my time well. Maybe I could have written more however I wrote as much as I could each day and Trevor and I would alternate. The page count goal was too high and so next time if I were to do this again I would not aim so high. In my script I like how we stayed true to the characters and their personalities. We also stayed true with the story line and the plot. At some points of the script it can be boring and not entertaining. I would change this by looking back at the script and adding in some action as well as new characters. Finally, I feel as though we spent a lot of time on Script Frenzy and I have become tired with my script. If I were given the opportunity to do this again I would completely change the idea of my script and go in a totally different direction. Overall this was a fun project and I enjoyed working on it.

BLOG #12

With writing a great scene comes knowledge of the character's behavior, proper setting and a steady plan. My scene delves into Baxter's mind and his internal thoughts and daydreams. The scene really explores his thoughts on his dad leaving him and how it effects him everyday. By him being embaressed in the beginning of the scene, it expresses his troubles with school. When he has a daydream of his birthday party, it is demonstrated how he has memory of his dad but it is slowly fading away. I am proud of my scene because of how I characterize Baxter: a troubled kid who daydreams about the way things used to be. He misses his father and all he really wants in life is a chance to see him again. However, with first drafts comes much needed room for improvement. At times this scene can be cliche, and the teacher is a little too bold. In a movie script it is important for the dialogue to be realistic, if that is what you intend to do. My script is intended to be realistic and easy to relate to. If I had the chance to re-write it I would add in more of the daydream, with pieces missing and it being a little more vague. A daydream or flashback is usually very foggy with things that just cannot be remember. It would be more realistic if Baxter couldn't fully remember what happened on his birthday with his father when he was young. I would change the way the teacher approaches him and not have him embaress Baxter in front of the whole class when he asks him about the appointment. In reality, a teacher would probably not do that to a student but I would still make Baxter feel uncomfortable to show his dislike for school and the appointments. This scene is short but concise and true to Baxter's character.

BLOG #11

Caroline Hess and Trevor Canham

BLOG #11

INT. WILMONT HIGH SCHOOL – HIGH SCHOOL – DAYTIME

It is a Monday morning, and everyone is bustling to get to their next class. BAXTER is walking alone in the halls, face down, until KENNETH comes running toward him. They stop at BAXTER’S locker to have a quick chat.

KENNETH

Baxter! Before the bell rings I need to show you the tickets my dad bought me and him for the concert next Saturday! I can’t believe they already came! I mean, my dad just ordered them and they’re already here! I’m so excited!

KENNETH pulls two TICKETS out of his backpack.

BAXTER

Oh, wow. That sounds really fun.

KENNETH

(Not noticing the change in his friend’s behavior) I’m so excited…I wish we could take you but it’s more of a son- father bonding thing, you know how those things go. Shoot, I think I forgot a book in my locker. I’ll see you later on the bus!

BAXTER

Oh…alright, I might see you later I have some things to do after school

 Baxter is in a daze the whole day. His teachers call on him and he does not know what they are discussing. Finally the last bell rings and Baxter gets on the bus. When he gets home he opens his garage. He sees two fishing poles and shows a look of determination. He grabs the poles and leaves the garage.

Blog #10

Caroline Hess and Trevor Canham

Blog #10

KENNETH

Baxter! Before the bell rings I need to show you the tickets my dad bought me and him for the concert next Saturday! I can’t believe they already came! I mean, my dad just ordered them and they’re already here! I’m so excited!

BAXTER

Oh, wow. That sounds really fun.

KENNETH

(Not noticing the change in his friend’s behavior) I’m so excited…I wish we could take you but it’s more of a son- father bonding thing, you know how those things go. Shoot, I think I forgot a book in my locker. I’ll see you on the bus!

BAXTER

Oh…alright, I might see you later I have some things to do after school

Baxter then goes home on the bus. He opens his garage to let himself in the house. Two fishing poles catch his eye. He remembers being like Kenneth, his father’s only son and proud of it. Now he realizes he wishes his dad had not left without even a real goodbye. He drops his bag and grabs the fishing pole and heads to the pond.

Blog #9

JANICE

(sigh) Baxter, what do you want for breakfast? I have to get going soon and I am already rushing.

BAXTER

(shrugs) Do you really care...? I’ll just make something for myself after I pack my bag.

JANICE

Baxter, you cannot just shut me out like that…I’m trying my best to provide for you and if you don’t like that then I’m sorry! Now go upstairs and get ready for school. We’re leaving in ten minutes.

BAXTER

Just forget it, I’m not even hungry anyways.

Blog #8

Creating effective dialogue is very crucial to a script because it pushes the story forward. The three most important things about dialogue in a script are the dialogue itself,  the description, and the action. The dialogue has to be able to carry the story or else the audience will get bored. The dialogue must intrigue the audience and have something that sets it apart from other scripts (maybe it is particularly witty or funny). Next, describing scenes and emotions are very important if the script is going to turn out how the writer envisions it Finally there must be some sort of action pushing through or else the script has no content. The dialogue must keep the main plot going, rising to the climax. These three elements are very key to creating an effective script.

Blog #7 THe Hollywood Formula

Opening Scene: There is a road heading towards a sunrise with peacefully swaying grass beside it. This setting is calm and a small bug flutters by. A man and his young son stand hand in hand looking ahead at the horizon. Although they say nothing, the man looks at his son and begins to run away from the boy. Looking scared and confused, the boy chases after him but goes nowhere. The man runs out of sight and is gone. The young boy looks hopelessly at the sky as it begins to turn a misty gray. This picture fades out and now is focused on the same boy, only now he is in his bed. The audience now realizes what happened previously to this boy was a dream. The boy sighs, turns off his blaring alarm clock, and stumbles out of bed.

Setting Up The Story: Because Baxter’s father abandoned the family he feels lonely and insecure as well as hopeless because he has given up on the fact that he will ever return. Baxter’s Mom is very busy with work, mostly to keep her mind off her failed marriage. During Baxter’s time at school he avoids confrontation with other people except for his friend Kenneth.

Inciting Incident: One day Baxter is in school on a particularly bad day and is contemplating his life and the situation he is in. He thinks about all of his problems and he decides that the most prominent one is the guilt that he feels for his father leaving and his family breaking apart. He goes home after school and goes through his garage and finds his old fishing pole that he used to use with his dad when he was still around and he decides that he’s going to take it out and go fishing at the old pond that his father and he used to go to. Baxter heads down to the dock and sits on the edge and casts out his line. He waits awhile but he suddenly notices that a huge fish is near his line and he leans over to take a look. The fish quickly grabs his line and Baxter, being as light as he is falls into the water. He falls headfirst and hits a rock and is immediately knocked out. Luckily a passerby saw the event and jumped in and saved Baxter but unfortunately Baxter was without oxygen for too long and went into a coma. He is brought to the Hospital and his mother and grandfather stay with him there.