Blog #12- Reflection on Scene

The strengths of my scene are:

1. My scene is full of suspence.
2. My scene has good character interaction.

The weaknesses of my scene are:

1. That I need to characterize my main character more.
2. That I need to remember that one of my characters is the father of the main character.

If I had time to re-write the scene, I would:

1. Characterize my protagonist more.
2. Elaborate on my characters' thoughts.

Blog #13- Script Frenzy Reflection

When we first contemplated the Script Frenzy project, I thought that it would be a good experience. I was excited to start writing my script. I felt that I would be able to express myself.

Now that the project is done, I feel that I have accomplished expressing myself. I feel confident in my script. I feel that if I were to try to get someone to produce my script, that it would get produced.

I felt that the Script Frenzy Workbook in it's entirity was helpful. I think that the entire workbook helped me start outlining my script and made me well prepared for writing my script.

By taking on this project, I learned that, if I set my mind to it, I could accomplish such a large project (or at least most of one).

Originally, my goal was for my script to be 50 pages, but (due to some minor setbacks) My script ended up totaling about 38-39 pages. Overall, I handled time management well. When I knew what to write, I wrote fast, but when I ran out of ides, I couldn't type as fast.

I feel the strengths of my scipt are the plot and the description. I feel that some of my characters could be more developed though.

If there was more time in the course and in the proect, I would use that time to:

1. Finish my script.
2. Develop my characters more.

I feel overall, that my Script is good, but could use work. I honestly enjoyed this project. The only thing I didn't like about the project was that I never got to finish my script. I would've loved to see what the final product was, but the experience was good.

Blog #11- Action & Description In My Dialogue

INT. CIA COMPOUND, UPSTATE NEW YORK - NIGHT

DEREK is packing up his suitcase to meet up with C in the BLACK HELICOPTER with 5 CIA AGENTS IN SUITS. In the background HELICOPTER PROPELLERS are roaring. DEREK'S MOTHER runs up to him before he has a chance to leave the COMPOUND.



DEREK'S MOM

Derek it's too dangerous to go with the CIA and look for your father, just think about what you have to lose. Your life, your perfect attendance at school, but more importantly, your life.

DEREK

Mom, I already made up my mind, I'm going.

DEREK'S MOM

But Derek!-

DEREK

But nothing Mom! I already told you, I'm going and that's that!

DEREK'S MOM

No, you are not going, I forbid you!

DEREK (angrily)

You forbid me... you forbid me?! Mom, I'm not a child any more, I'm 15, practically an adult. I'm capable of making my own decisions.

DEREK'S MOM (on the brink of crying)

I know you are, but I'm a mother and mothers just want to know that their children are safe.

DEREK (calmed down)

Mom, I will be safe, I'm going to be with the CIA, I'm sure they'll keep me safe.

DEREK'S MOM (calmed down)

Well, as long as they keep you safe......., oh alright, but you have to promise me one thing.

DEREK

And what is that Mom?

DEREK'S MOM

Don't come back to me in a casket !!

DEREK

I promise that I will come back in one piece!! I gotta go now Mom, the chopper's waiting.

DEREK runs to the HELICOPTER and gets on. DEREK blows his MOTHER a kiss and with that, DEREK is in the air and gone.



Blog #10- Dialogue Moving The Story Forward

DEREK

Hello?

ANONYMOUS MAN

Is this Derek Johnson?

DEREK

Yes, what do you want?

ANONYMOUS MAN

Your father's alive!

DEREK

Excuse me, what did you say?!

ANONYMOUS MAN

You heard me, but I'll say it again! Your... presumably... dead... father... is... alive! Understand?!

DEREK

Yeah, but where is he then?

There is no answer...

Blog #9- Dialogue Defining A Relationship

DEREK'S MOM

Derek it's too dangerous to go with the CIA and look for your father, just think about what you have to lose. Your life, your perfect attendance at school, but more importantly, your life.

DEREK

Mom, I already made up my mind, I'm going.

DEREK'S MOM

But Derek!-

DEREK

But nothing Mom! I already told you, I'm going and that's that!

DEREK'S MOM

No, you are not going, I forbid you!

DEREK (angrily)

You forbid me... you forbid me?! Mom, I'm not a child any more, I'm 15, practically an adult. I'm capable of making my own decisions.

DEREK'S MOM (on the brink of crying)

I know you are, but I'm a mother and mothers just want to know that their children are safe.

DEREK (calmed down)

Mom, I will be safe, I'm going to be with the CIA, I'm sure they'll keep me safe.

DEREK'S MOM (calmed down)

Well, as long as they keep you safe......., oh alright, but you have to promise me one thing.

DEREK

And what is that Mom?

DEREK'S MOM

Don't come back to me in a casket !!

DEREK

I promise that I will come back in one piece!! I gotta go now Mom, the chopper's waiting.



Blog #8-Dialogue

The 3 most important things about dialogue that I learned are:

1. Dialogue needs to move the story forward.
2. Dialogue needs to describe the relationships between characters.
3. Good dialogue can make a writing piece and bad dialogue could break a writing piece.

Blog #7- "The Hollywood Formula"

Opening Scene:

September 20th, 1996:

A helicopter landed in Langley, Virginia. A man opened the side helicopter door. A hummer with the CIA's seal on it was waiting for the man. A man in a suit said into a walkie talkie, "Welcome back Johnson, you're to report to debriefing." As soon as the man said that, the helicopter exploded and the man who got off the helicopter was nowhere to be found. The local police came and looked througout the debris for the body of the man, no trace was found.

September 20th, 2012:

A high school football game. See Blog #6 for rest.

The Big Decision:

Derek will have to choose whether or not to look for his dad.

Pros:

1. curiosity
2. may find long-lost father
3. if he stays, he may run the risk of being kidnapped again

Cons:

1. has good life
2. has good friends/grades in school
3. if he goes, he may die

Subplot:

Derek's dad's life since he went MIA.

• allowed everyone to think he was dead
• went to live abroad
• used new alias
• heard of his son searching for him w/CIA assistance
• shows up undetected
• protects son and wife from danger on yacht in Greece