Motion Picture Script Analysis Midterm

What is more important: the ability to tell a story or the content of the story

ability to tell a story

What makes a story work?

channeling voice into the story

What is the Kuleshov Effect?

Viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than a single shot

What is structure?

the tool that shapes the raw material of your story

What are the 7 essential narrative elements?

teaser, status quo, point of attack, debate, lock-in, journey through new world, and the resolution

What is the teaser?

opening presentation to engage the audience with a set of really clear non-confusing questions

What is the status quo?

information about the protagonist’s need, want, and life dream and the W’s (who, what, where, when)

What is the debate?

when the MC grapples with destabilizing elements and the central question is posed

What is the lock-in?

when the audience realizes the MC’s want/goal (NOT life’s dream)

What is the journey through the new world?

when the MC attempts to get their want but face obstacles

What is the resolution?

The resolving of the main tension: did the MC get their main want/need - also, did the MC change?

When is it satisfying for the MC not to change?

when they are given every opportunity to do so (ex. Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network)

What are absolute statements?

something that the audience knows is wrong/will be refuted

What is the teaser of High Noon?

Who are the men on horseback? Why are they riding into town? What are the men up to? (trouble)

What is the status quo of High Noon?

Frontier town becoming civilized + Kane’s retirement and marriage + Kane’s life dream (settling down with Amy) + Kane’s want (for people in town to help him) + Kane’s need (realizing that the townspeople will not help him)

What is the point of attack of High Noon?

The pardon for Ben Miller

What is the debate of High Noon?

Whether Kane should stay in town or leave with his wife, Amy

What is the lock-in of High Noon?

Kane turned the buggy around and went back to town (shows his want to defend the town)

What is the journey through a new world in High Noon?

Justice of the Peace leaves (theme stated), Kane’s need is solidified (realizing that people aren’t going to help him), and mini goals are established (Kane needs deputies, Harvey demands to be the new sheriff)

How are conflicts created?

character reveals

What is Harvey’s need in High Noon?

to grow up

What are Kane’s obstacles in High Noon?

the townspeople

When is there psychological exploration in a film?

after the midpoint: where are they in relation to their need?

In what scene of High Noon does Harvey’s need conflict with this want?

the stable scene: he isn’t growing up, but he’s still trying to become the sheriff

What is preparation and aftermath?

technique for creating suspense in a movie

How many sequences are typically in a film?

8

How do you recognize a sequence?

• the establishment of a mini-goal

• changing character or direction of the story

• can be driven by characters other than the protagonist

What is tension?

a feeling of uncertainty about a specific outcome

What should the 2nd act sequences be tied to?

main tension

What is the purpose of the 1st act sequences?

connect the audience to the protagonist

What are plants and payoffs?

showing something one way, only to be used differently later on

What do plants and payoffs contribute to the story?

• moves the story in a new direction

• depicts character change

  • affects audience’s emotions

In great films, where is the entire concept of the story explored?

teaser

What is Marty’s life dream in Back To The Future?

becoming a rock star/rock and roll

What is Marty’s status quo in Back To The Future?

being stuck as a loser because of his father

What is Marty’s need in Back To The Future?

to learn to accept rejection

T/F: Status quo means stasis

false

What kind of character is the most interesting to follow?

the underdog

How is the status quo divided in Back To The Future?

between Marty’s private life and his public life

What is the point of attack in Back To The Future?

the Libyans attack Doc and Marty

What is the lock-in in Back To The Future?

Marty travels back in time

What is the personal debate in Back To The Future during the point of attack?

Should I stay with Doc or leave and seek safety?

What is Marty’s want in Back To The Future?

to go back to the future

What is a notable plant in Back To The Future?

aliens

What screenwriting technique was employed often throughout Back To The Future?

repetition with variation

What is Doc’s want in Back To The Future?

to create something that works

What is George’s need in Back To The Future?

to be brave

What is George’s life dream in Back To The Future?

to be a science fiction writer

When is it best for the protagonist’s need to be satisfied?

as close to the end as possible!

What are the final 2 payoffs in Back To The Future?

plutonium and “Something’s got to be done about your kids!”

What effect does suspense have on films?

gives the story momentum

What is the best way to create suspense?

ADVERTISING the future

What are some examples of advertising?

• using scenes of preparation to create tension

• statements of intent

• have characters issue warnings

• one character gives another an order

• absolute statements

  • adding deadlines/time-locks

What is the most important suspense?

telling the audience that something is coming and then making them wait

What questions does the teaser in The Silence of the Lambs pose?

Who is the woman in the forest? Why is she running through the obstacle course?

What is Clarisse’s life dream in The Silence of the Lambs?

to become a part of the behavioral science unit in the FBI

What is the point of attack in The Silence of the Lambs?

Crawford sending Clarisse to Hannibal

What is Clarisse’s need in The Silence of the Lambs?

to believe in herself in spite of her “white trash” background

What is Hannibal’s want in The Silence of the Lambs?

to get away from Dr. Chilton and to get a view

What are film arrows?

relevant transitions into the next scene

Why do filmmakers include scenes around life events?

enables emotional engagement from the audience

What are Clarisse’s obstacles in The Silence of the Lambs?

Buffalo Bill, herself, and the male officers

What is the mid-point reversal in The Silence of the Lambs?

the deal backfires and Clarisse is cut off from Hannibal

When are sequences about characters who are not the protagonist allowed to happen?

after the mid-point reversal

What is one of the most notable twists in The Silence of the Lambs?

Hannibal being disguised as a police officer

What is the difference between a twist and a surprise?

a twist has laid ground/setup; a surprise is not set up as thoroughly

Why does the audience root for Hannibal in The Silence of the Lambs?

• he has a want (room w/ view away from Chilton)

• Chilton torments him (Hannibal is an underdog)

  • Chilton takes away his drawings that represent his want

What is an example of repetition with variation in The Silence of the Lambs?

the appearance of cats

Why is the ending to The Silence of the Lambs not very moving?

Clarisse’s need was not in direct opposition to her want

What is inside information?

when the audience knows something that the characters do not

What are the different types of inside information?

• basic inside information

• secrets

• agenda

• macro inside information

  • only the audience knows

What is an example of basic inside information?

the audience knows where the monster is, when the protagonist does not

When is the inside information classified as secrets?

when characters are hiding secrets from each other, but the audience is in on it

When is the inside information classified as an agenda?

the audience is aware of the character’s agenda, but the other characters don’t know

When is the inside information classified as macro inside information?

when it is large-scale information that drives every scene

What is an example of macro inside information?

Marty is from the future

What is the teaser of Mean Girls?

the opening shot - when the parents are sending Cady off to school

What is Cady’s need in Mean Girls?

to be herself

What is Cady’s life dream in Mean Girls?

she doesn’t have one

What are some plants in Mean Girls?

Gretchen’s secrets and Regina always winning

What is the point of attack in Mean Girls?

Regina and the Plastics invite Cady to have lunch with them

What is an example of inside information in Mean Girls?

Cady agreeing to spy on the Plastics; who owns the Burn Book

What is the lock-in to Mean Girls?

Cady plans to take Regina down (also an example of an agenda)

What is the external reference to track Cady’s need in Mean Girls?

the mathletes

What is the mid-point reversal in Mean Girls?

the character reveal of Cady wanting to become Regina

What is the new status quo in Mean Girls?

the end preview into the following year

What is a payoff in Mean Girls?

Cady wearing hoop earrings when she is the Queen B; Gretchen wearing them at the end

What is the Fastian Bargain?

when a character trades everything good in life to achieve their desire

What is Cady’s want in Mean Girls?

to bring Regina down (in conflict with her need)

What happens when a character’s want and need are in direct opposition of one another?

compelling characters are established and the audience is engaged

What are some examples of psychological messages?

• believe in yourself

• BE yourself

• overcome fear of failure, anger, addiction, etc.

• overcoming past

  • changing a deeply held belief

Where is the protagonist’s dream established?

status quo

What is established during the lock-in?

the protagonist’s want and need

When does internal conflict work best?

when it is focused on ONE CHARACTER

What is the teaser of Whiplash?

the opening scene where Fletcher interrupts Andrew’s night practice

What is the point of attack in Whiplash?

Andrew is invited to join Fletcher’s band

What are some payoffs in Whiplash?

the hallway conversation —> Fletcher’s insults ; crying trombonist —> Andrew crying ; Charlie Parker —> the chair thrown at Andrew’s head

What does the dinner scene reveal about Andrew in Whiplash?

he has the capacity for meanness

What is the mid-point reversal in Whiplash?

Andrew gets set against 2 other drummers

What are some instances of repetition with variation in Whiplash?

• Andrew running late to class + the misinformation about Shawn Casey dying in a car crash —> Andrew being in a car accident

• Andrew watching a movie with his dad in the beginning but pursuing his own dreams —> Andrew watching a movie with his dad in the end but following his father’s wishes