Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Researching Scripts


Radio script from mediadumbo

RADIO SCRIPT

Style: The layout and style of a radio script is very different compared to a master script. The radio script is more like a script you would read when performing a play. The characters names for the lines spoken are to the left of the page whilst the dialogue is in the middle. Whenever there is a sound effect there is a line through the page with the description of the sound.

Content: The script contains only dialogue and sound effects. The reason for this is because it is a radio script and therefore has no need for gestures or other visual things that may need to be pointed out in a different type of script. However unlike a master script when the sound effects are shown, the noise is actually written down next to it.

Narrative Structure: The script has a linear narrative structure with no proper ending. This is because the issue at hand between the two characters is not properly resolved and we do not know what happens to them now. However by having a short, linear narrative it makes it easier for audiences to grasp as something too complex could confuse them due to only being able to listen to it, therefore not having their full attention. There is no clear beginning either as the characters talk about something that has happened recently therefore the audience has missed out and doesn't know. The script is not really a story and more just listens into the argument at hand between the characters.

Genre: The scripts story portrays the genre of Drama. This is because of Dave who being is accused of cheating on Sarah. As the audience we do not know who is telling the truth between the two characters and therefore creating a dramatic mood for the script.

Target Audience: The target audience for this script would be both Male and Female adults, mainly couples, age 20-38. This is because of the stereotypical situation of a man or woman going out for the night and coming home to a suspicious partner. Couples would be the main target audience under the 20-38  age group as this scenario could be something they could relate to, or understand how the characters would feel.

News script from mediadumbo

NEWS SCRIPT

Style: This type of script is very brief and is different to other scripts. The script is divided into a video and audio section. Each time there is a cut the section is underlined to signify moving on to the next part. There is also no EXT or INT within the script which is different to your typical Master or Shooting script. As well as this due to the script being non fictional there is no character names, instead there are roles such as Reporter, Videographer, Slug. The way it is presented is formal as the format is equally laid out and contains formal language.

Content: The video part of the script is very brief and basic. It explains what will be happening on the camera at that point. The words that people will be speaking within the video are also shown within the script. However gestures and details of the location of the shooting are not. In a master or shooting script it will say things like "EXT - Park, Sunny day" however this script does not contain any details of where the shooting will take place or what the location/s will look like.

Narrative Structure: Because this is a news script it is different to other fictional scripts when it comes to narrative. Rather than telling a story a news script documents the story that it is explaining. The script contains interviews and anchors who talk ABOUT the story rather than actually tell it. This beginning of the script introduces the audience to the story at hand by getting straight into it. The middle then discusses and tells a story about people affected by the main issue. However the last part of the script does not really "end" as there is no proper conclusion or ending to the story at hand.
 

Genre: The genre for this script would be Non Fiction as it is based on true events. In this case the script appears to be based around the effect of legalized gambling in a specific area.

Target Audience: The target audience for this story would mainly be the people in which the events occurred/explained may affect. Also any other people who are generally interested in the news would be targeted as a prime audience. However there is no specific age or gender that this type of script may be aimed at.

My mother dreams the satan from mediadumbo

SHORT FILM SCRIPT

Style: The script for a short film is similar to that of a master script. Characters are introduced using capital letters and the name of the film is at the top of the script. The layout of effects such as "FADE IN:" are positioned the same as a master script as well as the layout of the description of characters. The positioning of dialogue and the character saying the dialogue is also similar to the layout of a master script.

Content: The script includes slug lines, abbreviations such as EXT  and INT shots as well as directions such as "FADE IN" and "INSERT - PHOTO". Characters actions and stage directions are also shown within the script as well as descriptive text which describes the atmosphere and descriptions of the scene and characters, such as "The BIKERS wearing their clubs colours".  The script also signifies different scenes by using "CUT TO:" which is also used in master scripts.

Narrative Structure: The narrative for this script is linear and uses detailed descriptions to create interest for the audience.  The script follows a typical Beginning - Middle - End  structure by beginning with the aligment of the character Marian. The middle is then where the problem/disturbance is caused with the bikers and the end concludes the script by fading out and showing that the equilibrium is restored.

Genre:  The scripts genre is crime/thriller I would say. This is because of the biker gang who "deal drugs" according to the disciple prospect as well as Marian who is followed by the disciple prospect for knowing things she shouldn't. The script is dramatic and very tense therefore thrilling the audience, as well as the characters being involved in criminal activities therefore creating the crime element.

Target Audience: The target audience for this film would be young adults to more mature adults 20-30 due to the content and themes expressed in the script. The film/script is not like your typical criminal/action script therefore requiring a more patient audience as the film gradually builds rather than an audience such as young teenagers that want the film to kick in from the start.
 

COMEDY SCRIPT
Style: The style of this script is the same as the previous short film script. Characters are introduced using capital letters and the name of the sketch is at the top of the script. The effects such as "FADE IN:" are positioned the same as a master script as well as the layout of the characters' descriptions. The positioning of dialogue and the character saying the dialogue is also the same to the layout of a master script.

Content: Again the content of this script is similair, if not the same, to the short film script. Characters actions and stage directions are also shown within the script as well as descriptive text which describes the atmosphere and descriptions of the scene and characters, such as "The BIKERS wearing their clubs colours". The script also signifies different scenes by using "CUT TO:" which is also used in master scripts. The script includes slug lines, abbreviations such as EXT and INTshots as well as directions such as "FADE IN" and "INSERT - PHOTO".
Narrative Structure: This sketch has a clear beginning - middle - end. In the beginning of the script we are introduced to the different characters and overall start of the sketch. The middle shows the short journey of the robot going to stop the criminals. The ending then shows the robot dying and the scientists creeping away.

Genre: The genre for this script is obviously a comedy spoof. The contrast between serious and silly creates a funny mood for the audience. An example of this is the way the scene opens with the scientists using stereotypical science words and phrases such as "techtronics" and "biomechanical functions". This creates a serious mood which is soon contrasted by the silliness of the description of the robot with "plastic policemans hat" and "whole body is encased in cardboard boxes" this contrasts the hopes that the audience is set up with and therefore creates comedy.

Target Audience: The target audience for this sketch would be a wide range from young to older people ages 12-30. This would be because the type of comedy used does not really offend anyone in the scene and does not use any foul language or offensive comments therefore appealing to a wider audience.

Friday, 14 June 2013

Presenting your Scripts and Obtaining Feedback




After reading the feedback i will change the way that the first sketch opens to minimize the cost of shooting in a high street. Instead i will start the sketch in the actual dating club. As well for this sketch i will change how the sketch portrays the comedy of homosexual/transvestite side so it will not be offensive to people who are actually transvestite's or homosexual. Lastly i will build upon the third sketch as it is quite brief and does not spend enough time building up to the comedy part of the scene.
 

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Reviewing My Script

For my 3 scripts I feel that all of them were well thought through. Instead of making them up as I went along I built on them until I felt they were ready to be sent off to get looked at by the Channel 4 representative. Seeing as the scripts were meant for comedy sketches I could not create a scene that was too long otherwise it would lose the flow. Therefore I wanted my sketches to be quick and instantly let the audience know that something was wrong. However when receiving feedback i had to change my scripts in certain ways as there were some problems with the shooting and stories of the scripts.

Finance was an issue for the shooting of my scripts as I was told that the budget for the show was very limited. Therefore to reduce the cost of sets etc i kept the last two sketches in one place as planned and changed my first sketch. Instead of having the two characters Jack and Adam walking down a street having a conversation I had them standing in a hallway which led into the dating club. This meant that the production of this scene would not require extra shooting in a street as well as a dating club. Therefore by changing the set of the scene i was able to keep the budget low. Due to the other scenes taking place in the same set all the way through already, I did not need to change the scenes sets.

Another problem with the first sketch of the "Dating Club" was that the sketch included a homosexual stereotype comedy in which homosexuals and other people may not find funny themselves and could take offense to it. Therefore to act upon this feedback I felt that by making Jack out to be the main joke of the sketch instead of the homosexual stereotype the scene would become less offensive. To do this I changed Jack from being nervous and scared of the Woman to flustered and seduced by her obvious flirting. I also changed the script from the Woman grabbing Jack to Jack grabbing the Woman. I also added in a small part at the end of the scene where Jack discovers he in a club where Transvestites go. By making Jack so desperate that he ends up doing things he will probably regret i transformed the scene into a less offensive and slightly funnier sketch.

My third sketch was said to be as not well developed as the other two sketches. This was because the sketch was too quick and the main "punchline" of the scene was delivered to quickly. However i still had a budget to stick to and therefore could not add anything extra to the sets such as Jack walking into the house or the two driving off or anything like that. However i added more dialogue to my characters to drag the scene out a little bit longer. This built up more effectively which made the overall joke of the scene funnier. However i still feel this scene is over a bit too quickly and would like to have added more to it.

When receiving feedback on my scripts it was quite frustrating to change them due to having to take out and add or change parts of your script based on other peoples ideas for it. This was a different experience to how my work is normally marked and given a grade and some feedback. Instead the script that is produced is taken and modified by other people regardless of what you may want to happen in the script. This is quite upsetting as it shows that ideas that you may like and want to keep could easily be taken away and not used due to budget or offensive issues. However i feel i still kept my sketches funny and would like to be given the oppurtunity to write them for someone again.