WC - Writing for the Camera (Overview)
Writing for the Camera
Introduction
Begin this module by viewing the opening monologue to Shakespeare's Henry V.
The opening monologue to Shakespeare’s Henry V addresses the fundamental problems with getting an audience to truly believe and experience the essence of a story.
The Chorus bemoans the fact that the audience is trapped in a theatre and is not able to truly be transported to the kingdom and time where the story takes place. Real princes and monarchs are not being observed, but rather actors utilizing heavy theatrical conventions are simply indicating the events of the tale.
The Chorus goes on to acknowledge that the stage cannot hold all of France and that horses can only be spoken of. Rather than ridden into battle. For this reason, the Chorus asks that the audience fully employ their imagination prior to hearing and judging the play.
Film is a whole new ballgame!
While true they are still actors and the audience is still in a theatre the control of what can be seen and heard makes it much easier for the audience to get lost in the experience. With film, we can go to multiple locations on the screen and the level of detail is so great that it is possible to believe you are in fact seeing the characters as real people. The screenwriter even has control over what you look at and hear. All of this enhanced opportunity requires additional skills to the ones already introduced in playwriting.
Module Lessons Preview
In this module, we will study the following topics:
Atmospheric Writing: In this lesson, you will explore atmospheric writing for development of mood, associated with a location.
Conflict: In this lesson, we will explore conflict writing, based in deep understanding of the characters.
Showing Vs. Telling: In this lesson, we will look at telling the story through what the audience sees and hears, rather than relying on dialogue alone.