Millie Rigby

Pre-production Processes
Scripts

When writing a feature script, you must use proper formatting if you hope to sell
it. The industry is very picky about this, and it has to be in a particular way or
professional people will not even look at it. The industry format for scripts
include certain technicalities and also need to understand script formatting
because If you don’t use the correct formatting you will have less chance of
selling it. Professional script writers use software such as Final Draft, Movie
Magic Screenwriter and Movie Outline.

http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/a-glossary-of-screenwriting-terms-and-
filmmaking-definitions.html

Different types of scripts will include different things such as spec shooting
scripts will include technical instructions (editing notes, shots, and cuts) and also
more detail then spec scripts.

There are 2 types of scripts to include. The first is Spec

Scripts (speculative screenplay) which is written in
present tense and written in master scene format
which is broken into scenes instead of cuts. Writers
who wishes to have their script optioned and bought
by a producer or company would usually use this type
of scripting. This type of scripting also uses:

 Scene headings
 Narrative description
 Dialogue blocks

The other type of scripting is Shooting Script. This type of

script is used during a motion picture production due to
being written in more detail and will include extra things
such as:

 Scene numbers
 Editing transitions
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 Camera angles

It is important to get scrips correct as it can help to make changes when you find
a problem/mistake which could you could change and make better which could
potentially make the film better. It is also important to get the format correct as
if it is wrong or looks amateur, professional film crew may not even look at it
meaning no success.

Storyboards

A storyboard in film production can also be known as a shooting board. They

help visualize the scenes and gives help to change things within the story line
earlier on in pre-production. They include illustrations/images in order of what is
potentially going to happen in the film. There are different types of storyboards
to be used.

Thumbnail storyboard

This storyboard includes the first sketches which are usually

rough and small (thumbnail size). They usually include small stick
drawings as it just explains the shots. They are mainly used to
clearly show the position, size and expression of each person’s
head, no character bodies are needed but can be included. As
well as characters directions it also shows the camera angle to
show the frame of the shot. This initially is a rough draft to get
the ideas done quickly.

Floating storyboard

A floating storyboard is sketches of scenes which can be drawn

in rectangles but do not have to be (floating). This type of
storyboard match’s the aspect ratio that the film will be shot in.

Framed storyboard

This storyboard is good for final ideas as it is how things will be

shown on the screen. This storyboard again
shows the aspect ratio of the film.
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Photo storyboard

This storyboard can include images form a digital

camera so there is no need to do the aspect ratio like
the other storyboards. Due to using a camera it can
help with new camera angles that you had not
previously thought of which could potentially make it better. The websites
http://www.scarletstarstudios.com/blog/archives/2006/11/four_types_of_s.htm
l and https://megsmcg.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/storyboards/ were used to
get information or this part.

It is important to get storyboards correct as they are all he visual decisions for
your film. Once the storyboard is complete, you can then visualize what the final
production will look like. They also show the continuity of how the shots look
next to each other and if they work.

Storylines

A storyline is a detailed description of the plot of a film, series and more which is
used by writers and producers. There are different types of storylines, which
include written and visual. This can also be known as a narrative which is a
sequence of things that are clearly occurring over time.

The format of a storyline is all aspects (Film, TV, Book) all include a string of
events happening over time. They are in clear order and do not unfold randomly.

A visual storyline (narrative) is a story told primarily through use of visual media
such as video’s, photograph’s and/or illustration which can be enhanced with
graphics and different types of audio. Visual storylines can be used in many
different types of entertainment like films, art, TV and books/novels. I got this
information from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_narrative.

A visual storyline is more appropriate to use as it includes more detail and can
clearly show what is happening/ will happen in a film. Also because it includes
more film aspects such as graphics and audio can be used to improve it.

It is important to get storylines correct because if they are wrong it could ruin
the whole making of the film as it will not make sense due to the storyline not
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being in clear time order. This could then post-pone finishing time and also cost
more money and time.

Page Mock-ups

A page mock-up is broad demo of a recording project which use samplers

instead of acoustic instruments.

A page mock-up is a demo which require large budgets to record things like film
music, background music. They allow the film producers and director to hear
them how they would be in the final version. I used this website,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_mockup to find this information.

Mock-ups are important because it gives the director and producers a chance to
change anything to improve the film before filming starts. This can make it
better or worse depending on the final production.