TASK 1
Introduction
A script is a written version of a play, movie, or video game. Scriptwriters have a process in which way they make their script it is to craft a logline, write a treatment, develop characters, make, and develop a plot, write a first draft, step back and take a break then be prepared to rewrite the script again until they get it perfect. Scriptwriters have distinct roles and are responsible because they are required to prepare their script in a way that will enable the readers to be able to visualize the setting and emotion and the way that will work on screen.
(https://blog.pond5.com/9419-screenwriting-101-7-basic-steps-to-writing-a-screenplay/)
Obtaining work as a scriptwriter
There are several diverse ways a scriptwriter can get hired one way is through finding a mentor. You can find a mentor through networking where you meet people like you who enjoy scriptwriting. A mentor can help inspire you to write. They should be truthful when it comes to your work, and they should also have good connections which can help open doors for your future as a scriptwriter which means you can get work and then eventually get hired. If the mentor has the right connections they can get you work as a scriptwriter.
Another way of getting work as a scriptwriter is by building a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your best screen plays. This can help you get hired later in your career as it is a collection of all your best work, and you are more likely to get work having a portfolio as you can highlight all your best screenwriting achievements which makes it easier for a director or a movie company to hire you as they can see all your best work in one place.
Finally, a fellowship is one way you can get hired as a screenwriter as it is a contest for amateur scriptwriters that is usually offered by movie organizations, studios, and networks. If you win you can work with professionals to enhance your script writing skills and then get a chance to work with major network agencies and eventually you may get hired.
Best Screenwriting Fellowships: Launch Your Career in 2021
There are different ways to get hired in each industry thses processes all differ from each other. For example, to get hired in the film industry you need to make different films and small piece productions, then build a team of people that can help you, try and work on other people's films to gain experience, meet other film makers, learn your trade and finally you should gain enough experience and meet post-production.
The video game industry is also vastly different from the screen writing industry and getting hired is also a different process for example to get hired you can work on your own discussions board, start a gaming blog, build your own games, get an internship at a gaming studio, and get a video game related college degree.
How To Get Into Game Development: 10 Proven Ways You Can Use
Case study
Quentin Tarantino is a famous American film director scriptwriter, scriptwriter, producer, author, film critic and actor.
Before fame he was writing a film called the Natural born killers and he earned no money from this film. He previously submitted work to film directors but was denied many times due to people in Hollywood not liking his work. However, in 1990 he was offered a writing gig working on a script from dusk till dawn he was offered $1500 to write which is the most he had ever got offered. He had a lot of setbacks in his career as a lot of people in Hollywood did not like his work as he specializes in dark humor and stylized violence however, he was able to make a lot of friends and allies in the writing community which helped him highlight his work and become a top script writer.
His writing process is individualistic, and he is known for having his writing drafts in longhand the firsts outline plot twists, setups and pay offs his methods are known to be precise and to the point as he ‘doesn't waste time writing things he doesn’t need.’
Timeless Screenwriting Wisdom from Quentin Tarantino - ScreenCraft
He has won 2 academy awards, 2 baftas, 4 golden globes, Palme d’or and he was nominated for an Emmy and 5 Grammys.
Demands and requirements
One way that scriptwriters develop their skill is through networking. With networking you can find new opportunities within the writing industry you can also learn about your craft in further detail by conversing with other script writers. You can connect with higher professionals which means that you can get your work out there more and you have higher chance of succeeding in the industry as you have connections with professionals.
Communication is also essential in scriptwriting to develop your skill as you are going to have to write down the movements, actions and expressions of the characters therefore you are going to need to be able to communicate with people effectively in order to get the best script.
There are many key differences between a video game writer and a tv writer. For example, when writing for video games script writers must create flow charts to show all the possibilities and variables the characters may potentially have to face as they play the game, they also must explain the action and the decisions of the game player. Unlike tv writers where we (as readers) are following the character's journey in video games we are the main characters therefore the backstories game writers provide is only, so we get a better understanding of the game it's not compulsory. When writing a video game video game writers must ask themselves different questions when making the script compared to a tv writer. They must ask simple questions such as, what's the weather like in this one scene? As in video games there is no improv, so they must write more of a summarized script which in comparison gives tv writers more leeway to write a less structured and detailed script.
Tv writers are responsible for all the lines, dialogue and character situations which means that when they write they must write for a more tailored audience unlike video game writers who often have a more varied audience. Tv writers are usually writing from a main character perspective as the audience follows on their journey so tv writers tend to focus on developing their character fully so we can get the best understanding of them and relate with their journey unlike video game writers who focus more on the action and the players just enjoying the gaming experience. An example of a famous video game writer and designer is Richard Dansky and a famous tv play writer is Lisa McGee.
A2 LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
There a few legal requirements all script writers must follow to ensure their work is legal and ethical. The first legal requirement script writers must follow is copy right. Script writers cannot use copywrite materials without permission or plagiarize content. Defamation of character is also a legal requirement that scriptwriters must consider as they can be sued for defamation of character, libel, and slander. They also must credit sources to avoid any legal issues. https://www.gov.uk/using-somebody-elses-intellectual-property
Case study
One script that did not meet legal requirements was a short film made in 1989 that was banned for blasphemous libel called Visons of Ecstasy. Visions of ecstasy was a 19-minute short film that was directed and written by Nigel Wingrove it was banned by the British broadcasting film classification as it was set in the 16th century and in the offending scene a Spanish Nunn St Thersea of Avila caressed Jesuses body on the cross.
The BBFC did say if the scene were removed then they could air the movie however because it was only a short film it would take away half of the running time of the film. In 2008 the blasphemous libel law was removed, and Nigel Wingrove was asked to resubmit his work however he was unsure on whether he should. But after 23 years the film visions of ecstasy were unbanned and got an 18 rating.
Visions Of Ecstasy gets UK rating after 23 year ban - BBC News
Ethical considerations
There is a list of ethical considerations that scriptwriters must think about before they write a script. For example, they must think about moral censorship o they cannot show anything that can be deemed as morally wrong such as child pornography. Military censorship anyone work scriptwriters produce they must make sure they keep military intelligence and tactics confidential, and they cannot air theses to any viewers. Political censorship scriptwriters cannot try to intervein with the readers political views and hold back information from citizens this tactic is often done to exert power and control and it is an ethical consideration writers must think about when they are writing a script. Religious censorship is also an ethical consideration and its that’s scriptwriters cannot show or write material that is shuns or puts down other religions and makes one seem more dominant than the other. Also cooperate censorship is another ethical consideration that scriptwriters need to consider this is when they are writing scripts this is because they need to make sure that they aren't showing any business cooperation's in a negative light.https://prowritingaid.com/art/755/7-legal-tips-for-writers.aspx
Case study
One script that got banned because it didn’t meet ethical considerations was the 1980 movie cannibal holocaust. The movie is about an Italian crew that travels to the forest and meets an indigenous tribe the movie is banned because it shows scenes of animal cruelty, sexual violence and cannibalism. The movie as banned in Australia, Singapore, the Uk until 2001 and Norway. It was directed by Ruggero Deodato and was written by Gianfranco Derici the movie was do gruesome and realist that Ruggero was arrested with murder charges on some of the actors however that was later revealed it was not true.
Evaluation
Overall, the role of a scriptwriter is to write and develop screenplays for film, tv dramas and video games they collaborate with producers, actors and directors to draft and redraft their scripts they are often given tight deadlines and almost always free lancers. They obtain work through networking and building a portfolio which helps them get noticed and means they can end up working for top companies. They develop their skills through communication and having a mentor and it's important that they meet deadlines and demands so they are seen as reliable, and people will want to read their script. Finally, it's important to adhere to all legal and ethical requirements so that they don't get sued and they can continue to show off their work and get job opportunities that is the role of a scriptwriter. in my opnion its important for scriptwriters to branch out in order to get work.
Biblography
BBC News. 2021. Visions Of Ecstasy gets UK rating after 23 year ban. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16809977> [Accessed 23 September 2021].
BooksPODCASTRESOURCES, G. and Bay, J., 2021. How To Get Into Game Development: 10 Proven Ways You Can Use. [online] Gameindustrycareerguide.com. Available at: <https://www.gameindustrycareerguide.com/how-to-break-into-video-game-industry/> [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Business Insider Australia. 2021. 15 Movies That Were Surprisingly Banned In Foreign Countries. [online] Available at: <https://www.businessinsider.com.au/movies-banned-in-foreign-countries-2013-7> [Accessed 24 September 2021].
Colmomurchu.com. 2021. How did Tarantino make it to the top in Hollywood? Lessons you can learn from his experience – Indie Filmmaking Passion. [online] Available at: <https://colmomurchu.com/how-did-tarantino-make-it-to-the-top-in-hollywood-lessons-you-can-learn-from-his-experience/> [Accessed 21 September 2021].
GOV.UK. 2021. Using somebody else's intellectual property. [online] Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/using-somebody-elses-intellectual-property> [Accessed 22 September 2021].
Prowritingaid.com. 2021. 7 Legal Issues Writers Should Avoid at All Costs. [online] Available at: <https://prowritingaid.com/art/755/7-legal-tips-for-writers.aspx> [Accessed 23 September 2021].
Roe, C., 2021. Screenwriting 101: 7 Basic Steps to Writing a Screenplay. [online] Pond5 Blog. Available at: <https://blog.pond5.com/9419-screenwriting-101-7-basic-steps-to-writing-a-screenplay/> [Accessed 20 September 2021].
ScreenCraft. 2021. So You Want to Write for Video Games? - ScreenCraft. [online] Available at: <https://screencraft.org/2018/11/30/so-you-want-to-write-for-video-games/> [Accessed 23 September 2021].
ScreenCraft. 2021. Timeless Screenwriting Wisdom from Quentin Tarantino - ScreenCraft. [online] Available at: <https://screencraft.org/2019/07/22/timeless-screenwriting-wisdom-from-quentin-tarantino/> [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Script Reader Pro. 2021. Best Screenwriting Fellowships: Launch Your Career in 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/best-screenwriting-fellowships/> [Accessed 20 September 2021].
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