Work with genre to create a successful film

FADE IN:

I thought I knew about film genre until I started to read about it!

My notes have been cribbed from the ’ScriptWriter’ magazine I picked up at the screenwriting masterclass in London. I need to be certain I’m on the right path so,  I’m going to compare the notes with my screenwriting bible: Syd Field’s, Screenplay asap. Indeed I might visit Mr Field’s blog and ask for his thoughts on the subject…

However, for now, my notes on genre look like this:

• I need to study film genre in detail
• Don’t let narrative wander from genre to genre
• A fundamental: Work with genre to create a successful film
• Pick a genre and stick to it
• Use, “Whose story is it?” to check truthfulness of genre
• Synopsis will reveal truthfulness of genre
• Outline will indicate truthfulness of genre
• Films have 2 narrative stories. EG: Personal drama and romance. Thrillers and romance – so must use the right combinations
• Use, “What is it really about?” to uncover the THEME
• Theme: The key emotional connection between the screenplay and its audience.
• This is the emotion of the film or, more truthfully, it is the emotion of the audience into which the film taps
• So, focus on the ‘central emotion’ as that’s what makes films powerful – the theme is the same in each scene

PS. Notes taken from ScriptWriter, January 2007. (A good magazine to invest in) and check out www.scriptwritermagazine.com for details.

FADE OUT:

First blood! Attending Film and TV Masterclass, Earls Court London.

FADE IN:

A flying start for April: I attended “How to Write for Film & TV Masterclass” at the London Book Fair – 17 April 2010.

Chair: Julian Friedmann, Agent & Co-founder of Blake Friedman.
David Nicholls, bestselling author
Dr Craig Batty, Author and Senior Lecturer in Screenwriting
Paul Ashton, Producer, BBC Writersroom.

Advice a plenty, but the basic bullet points were:

• It’s tough and very, very hard to sell a spec script…hmmm!
• Blog/Twitter about Screenwriting – another box ticked.
• Read 100 scripts a year.
• Include a synopsis with a submitted script. 
• BBC are looking for the individual as much as the idea.
• Take any writing gig to get noticed.
• Create networks and market myself.
• Quality of writing conquers (to a degree) the idea.
• Be entrepreneurial.
• Contact my regional screen agency – bursaries!
• Look for the first script to sell me, rather than to sell ‘it’
• Edinburgh Film Festival to meet Film Producers
• Be industry savvy
• Understand film genres
• Submit to everybody – don’t wait for the phone to ring.
• Submit finished work to the BBC’s Writersroom.

Oh, I almost forgot:

• Finish the blooming screenplay!

FADE OUT:

A personal challenge to become a Screenwriter in just 12 months!

For more than 10 years i’ve talked the talk about writing a screenplay, but now it’s finally time to take action as this is how our very own character is defined.

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!