Unit 19: Learning Aim A
Introduction The Job role of Script Writers
What is a Script?
Scriptwriters create scripts which begin production for an upcoming project. A script is a book of information created by Scriptwriters which includes information on expressions, characters, dialogues, and actions of a character. Scripts can be used in several types of media sectors such as video games, Animated Tv Series, Mini-series, and live action tv series. The Scripts help instruct directors, producers, and actors to do their part in a movie or film, they help give characters voice lines in video games.
Roles and Responsibility of Script Writer
All Scriptwriters have separate roles and responsibilities to make a movie as best as it can be. They are responsible for arranging film and television series, producing ideas for a story. One example of this is having creative ideas for the story of a film, to be able to produce the introduction of how a film should begin. Without a Scriptwriter, a movie, film, or video game will not be able to function because a script is what guides a project in the right direction.
(Obtaining Work as a Script Writer) Ways Script Writers are hired
Spec Writing
Spec writing involves a script writer that writes an original script of a film that is not on the internet with their creative ideas for a production company. They do this to have an opportunity for their project to get noticed by a production company. For them to get noticed by a production company, they will need to contact the production company's email address or phone number, after this happens, they hope that they can sell their work to the production company. When this happens, there is a possibility of the production company liking their work and even hiring them to work for their own company.
Producer
Producers are the main decision deciders for a film, making. They are responsible for managing the costs of how much a film will cost, coming up with story ideas, and hiring writers to improve the concept of a story. Also, they are responsible to make sure that the working environment is perfect for directors, managers and other members that help with the production process. The producers communicate with everyone involved in the production team to come up with the best film possible. This involves hiring good scriptwriters which overall is a perfect way for scriptwriters to get hired to work for the production team.
Competitions
Competitions are arranged by Directors, agents and managers to find the best script writer possible with a prize pool of money. It gives script writers a chance to show their talent and demonstrates their skills to production companies. Furthermore, winning the competition gives the winning scriptwriter the ‘award-winning script title,’ which then the company is most likely to hire them as a writer assistant.
Case Study
Videogames (Dan Houser) British Dan Houser is a video game producer, writer, and a voice actor creating a company called rockstar games. He studied geography. Houser’s brother called Sam were both interested in storytelling from an early age which then led them to the path of being a script writer for the video game sector. They both grew up near a video library in London, watching many American crime films which is what inspired him to start script writing. Houser got started in script writing for games when he first applied for a part time job at BMG Interactive testing CD-ROMs. Both him and his brother became interested in a Game Called Run’n’chase. The game was crime with action including people driving around a city robbing banks and fighting cops. They decided to sign the game to BMG Interactive as the publishers and changed the name to GTA Theft Auto.
Furthermore, Dan Houser has wrote almost all the grand theft auto series. The first project was Grand Theft auto based around London 1969 working as a producer/writer, and the last was Grand Theft auto V being an executive producer and writer. He was the head writer for Rock star games for Red Dead Redemption 2010.
However, Dan Houser moved on from working on rockstar games and has created a new company called Absurd Ventures in games. He is working as a creative director where he plans to work on future projects. Rockstars games which was has been awarded the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award, which is rewarded for outstanding achievement in the art form of moving image.
Demands and Requirements
Structuring and organization of Scripts
A script writer develops their skill by improving on formatting and structuring the scripts, making sure that everything is in the correct order like the Title of the film or videogame with character lines and the actions the character will be following. By ensuring this, the script writer can have a clear view of where everything is making it readable. It helps the production team examine the scripts much more easily. This also applies to some media sectors that the script writer is currently focusing on such as Films, Newspapers and magazines.
Communication Skills
It is essential that script writers are good in other areas if there is a change in the way that a script is going to be like or a change in staff members for the production team. This is because it will help script writers have the skills to be a quicker thinker of other things they can write for a story, discussing with the team they are working with. For example, if there is a budget concern problem with a film, the script writer that made the story for the film will have to edit the script to make it more affordable. This gives a chance for the production team to communicate on deciding what else they can do.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Legal Consideration
It is essential that script writers take into legal consideration when writing their scripts.
Copyright
Copyright is when no one can copy your work. It protects your work from being stolen by others and automatic is free to use only in the Uk. They can protect their work by ensuring that they have the (c) symbol with their name on every page and at the front of the script also showing when the script was created. This helps to prevent your work from being stolen.
Watershed
Watershed is when a tv program is not suitable for children at a certain time. It starts at 9am which means that content that it shows violence, graphic imagery, swearing and other things inappropriate for children to view. Watershed ensures that children are protected from unsuitable content by reminding script writers or broadcasters to make their material suitable for young audiences.
Libel
Libel is when something is published to ruin or damage a person's reputation in a negative way. This can get you sued or even in serious trouble.
Blasphemy
Blasphemy is when you insult and offend God. This gets the thing that the person that made banned in certain countries.
Obscenity Law
This is when a material can inspire threatening behavior and makes it forbidden to be released to the public. It mainly depends on the country that the country.
Case Study-Legal Consideration (The Hangover Part II)- Movie Sector
This movie did not meet the legal considerations by getting copyrighted by a tattoo artist. This is because a character in the film had a replica tattoo of Mike Tryson’s tribal face tattoo. The tattoo artist only made the tattoo for Tyson which was the reason it got claimed for copyright. The artist believed that the company of the movie had no right to put his work in the film because of the promotional material attached to the film.
Ethical Consideration
Censorship
For Censorship in the Uk, it is managed by British Board of Film Classification. They are responsible for managing what film can be shown to an audience. When this happens, they give a certificate which allows them to release the finished film. If the film is offensive and very violent, they will not give a certificate. This means that the film company need to change some of the scenes of the film.
Offensive Content
This when content offends the viewer that is watching the film. This is because of the extreme violence and other things it may have included in it.
Decency
Decency is when you show something which maybe indecent often linked to sexual acts. This offends some of the viewers that are watching it.
Case study- Ethical Consideration (Postal 2007)
Postal is a movie that did not meet the ethical considerations because of it being centered around 9/11 terrorism which took place in real life. The movie is filled with sexism and scenes that mock the destruction of the world trade center with murders of innocent people. This offended the majority of the viewers that watched the film causing the film to get a lot of hate.
Evaluation
It is obvious that scripts are a way to take a film in the correct direction. It is the only way to examine if there is anything that needs to be changed before made into an actual film, tv series and more. Without the use of scripts, there wouldn't be any way to check for any mistakes when it comes to making the actual production. This is especially true as script writers must consider the legal consequences and ethical consequences. For example, in legal considerations they must make sure that their script is not similar to other people’s script which means their work can get copyrighted, then leading to their work being stolen and sued. In ethical consideration, they must make sure that the story that is written in the script is not offensive to the viewer. This means that if it is offensive, they will have to cut some scenes out which is why I personally think scripts help to plan out a film before it is made. It saves a lot of time and money needed to be spent.
Essentially, script writers should have good communication skills because it helps the production company, they are working with to be able to discuss ideas for a movie. Without a script writer with good communication skills, it will be difficult to have an initial idea for what you want your film to be like.
The best way I found for a script writer to get hired is to enter competitions competing against other people. It is the best way because it demonstrates a script writers potential to showcase their skills to the production company they wish to work for.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
References:
Academy of Art University. 2021. TV, Film & Digital Media Writing: A Guide to the Different Types of Scripts. [online] Available at: <https://blog.academyart.edu/tv-script-writing-feature-film-and-more-your-guide-to-types-of-screenplays/> [Accessed 20 September 2021].
Blog.finaldraft.com. 2021. What Are The Responsibilities Of a Screenwriter?. [online] Available at: <https://blog.finaldraft.com/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-screenwriter> [Accessed 20 September 2021].
Edwards, S., 2021. Screenwriting 101: How to Get an Agent - Coverfly. [online] Coverfly. Available at: <https://www.coverfly.com/screenwriting-101-how-to-get-an-agent/> [Accessed 22 September 2021].
Freshmenscreenplay.com. 2021. Do production companies buy scripts? (What, Why and How). [online] Available at: <https://freshmenscreenplay.com/do-production-companies-buy-scripts-what-why-and-how/> [Accessed 22 September 2021].
Freshmenscreenplay.com. 2021. The Secret How 97% of Screenwriters are Hired. [online] Available at: <https://freshmenscreenplay.com/the-secret-how-97-of-screenwriters-are-hired/> [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Gideon's Screenwriting Tips: Now You're a Screenwriter. 2021. What Exactly Is A Spec Script?. [online] Available at: <https://gideonsway.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/screenwriting-tip-5-anatomy-of-a-spec-script> [Accessed 24 September 2021].
Jackson, V., 2021. Screenplays vs Game Scripts: 5 Differences. [online] WriteOnSisters.com. Available at: <http://writeonsisters.com/writing-craft/screenplays-vs-game-scripts-5-differences/> [Accessed 24 September 2021].
ScreenSkills. 2021. Screen Writer. [online] Available at: <https://www.screenskills.com/starting-your-career/job-profiles/film-and-tv-drama/development-film-and-tv-drama-job-profiles/screenwriter/> [Accessed 17 September 2021].
Selbly, T., 2021. Unit 19 – Screenwriting. [online] TYLER SELBY MEDIA. Available at: <https://tylerselbymedia.wordpress.com/2018/09/13/unit-19-scriptwriting/> [Accessed 24 September 2021].
StudioBinder. 2021. The Fundamentals of Scriptwriting. [online] Available at: <https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-script-writing/> [Accessed 17 September 2021].
StudioBinder. 2021. 14 Best Screenwriting Contests of 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/best-screenwriting-contests/#:~:text=By%20entering%20screenwriting%20competitions%2C%20you,if%20not%20thousands%2C%20of%20entries.> [Accessed 22 September 2021].
2021. What Is Copyright? A Guide for Screenwriters. [online] Available at: <https://scriptangel.com/copyright-for-screenwriters/> [Accessed 16 October 2021].
StudioBinder. 2021. How to Copyright Your Screenplay. [online] Available at: <https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/copyright-screenplay/> [Accessed 15 October 2021].
Ofcom. 2021. What is the watershed?. [online] Available at: <https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/advice-for-consumers/television/what-is-the-watershed> [Accessed 16 October 2021].
Listverse. 2021. 10 Movies Plagued By Ethics Violations - Listverse. [online] Available at: <https://listverse.com/2014/11/14/10-movies-plagued-by-ethics-violations/> [Accessed 17 October 2021].
Introduction The Job role of Script Writers
What is a Script?
Scriptwriters create scripts which begin production for an upcoming project. A script is a book of information created by Scriptwriters which includes information on expressions, characters, dialogues, and actions of a character. Scripts can be used in several types of media sectors such as video games, Animated Tv Series, Mini-series, and live action tv series. The Scripts help instruct directors, producers, and actors to do their part in a movie or film, they help give characters voice lines in video games.
Roles and Responsibility of Script Writer
All Scriptwriters have separate roles and responsibilities to make a movie as best as it can be. They are responsible for arranging film and television series, producing ideas for a story. One example of this is having creative ideas for the story of a film, to be able to produce the introduction of how a film should begin. Without a Scriptwriter, a movie, film, or video game will not be able to function because a script is what guides a project in the right direction.
(Obtaining Work as a Script Writer) Ways Script Writers are hired
Spec Writing
Spec writing involves a script writer that writes an original script of a film that is not on the internet with their creative ideas for a production company. They do this to have an opportunity for their project to get noticed by a production company. For them to get noticed by a production company, they will need to contact the production company's email address or phone number, after this happens, they hope that they can sell their work to the production company. When this happens, there is a possibility of the production company liking their work and even hiring them to work for their own company.
Producer
Producers are the main decision deciders for a film, making. They are responsible for managing the costs of how much a film will cost, coming up with story ideas, and hiring writers to improve the concept of a story. Also, they are responsible to make sure that the working environment is perfect for directors, managers and other members that help with the production process. The producers communicate with everyone involved in the production team to come up with the best film possible. This involves hiring good scriptwriters which overall is a perfect way for scriptwriters to get hired to work for the production team.
Competitions
Competitions are arranged by Directors, agents and managers to find the best script writer possible with a prize pool of money. It gives script writers a chance to show their talent and demonstrates their skills to production companies. Furthermore, winning the competition gives the winning scriptwriter the ‘award-winning script title,’ which then the company is most likely to hire them as a writer assistant.
Case Study
Videogames (Dan Houser) British Dan Houser is a video game producer, writer, and a voice actor creating a company called rockstar games. He studied geography. Houser’s brother called Sam were both interested in storytelling from an early age which then led them to the path of being a script writer for the video game sector. They both grew up near a video library in London, watching many American crime films which is what inspired him to start script writing. Houser got started in script writing for games when he first applied for a part time job at BMG Interactive testing CD-ROMs. Both him and his brother became interested in a Game Called Run’n’chase. The game was crime with action including people driving around a city robbing banks and fighting cops. They decided to sign the game to BMG Interactive as the publishers and changed the name to GTA Theft Auto.
Furthermore, Dan Houser has wrote almost all the grand theft auto series. The first project was Grand Theft auto based around London 1969 working as a producer/writer, and the last was Grand Theft auto V being an executive producer and writer. He was the head writer for Rock star games for Red Dead Redemption 2010.
However, Dan Houser moved on from working on rockstar games and has created a new company called Absurd Ventures in games. He is working as a creative director where he plans to work on future projects. Rockstars games which was has been awarded the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award, which is rewarded for outstanding achievement in the art form of moving image.
Demands and Requirements
Structuring and organization of Scripts
A script writer develops their skill by improving on formatting and structuring the scripts, making sure that everything is in the correct order like the Title of the film or videogame with character lines and the actions the character will be following. By ensuring this, the script writer can have a clear view of where everything is making it readable. It helps the production team examine the scripts much more easily. This also applies to some media sectors that the script writer is currently focusing on such as Films, Newspapers and magazines.
Communication Skills
It is essential that script writers are good in other areas if there is a change in the way that a script is going to be like or a change in staff members for the production team. This is because it will help script writers have the skills to be a quicker thinker of other things they can write for a story, discussing with the team they are working with. For example, if there is a budget concern problem with a film, the script writer that made the story for the film will have to edit the script to make it more affordable. This gives a chance for the production team to communicate on deciding what else they can do.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Legal Consideration
It is essential that script writers take into legal consideration when writing their scripts.
Copyright
Copyright is when no one can copy your work. It protects your work from being stolen by others and automatic is free to use only in the Uk. They can protect their work by ensuring that they have the (c) symbol with their name on every page and at the front of the script also showing when the script was created. This helps to prevent your work from being stolen.
Watershed
Watershed is when a tv program is not suitable for children at a certain time. It starts at 9am which means that content that it shows violence, graphic imagery, swearing and other things inappropriate for children to view. Watershed ensures that children are protected from unsuitable content by reminding script writers or broadcasters to make their material suitable for young audiences.
Libel
Libel is when something is published to ruin or damage a person's reputation in a negative way. This can get you sued or even in serious trouble.
Blasphemy
Blasphemy is when you insult and offend God. This gets the thing that the person that made banned in certain countries.
Obscenity Law
This is when a material can inspire threatening behavior and makes it forbidden to be released to the public. It mainly depends on the country that the country.
Case Study-Legal Consideration (The Hangover Part II)- Movie Sector
This movie did not meet the legal considerations by getting copyrighted by a tattoo artist. This is because a character in the film had a replica tattoo of Mike Tryson’s tribal face tattoo. The tattoo artist only made the tattoo for Tyson which was the reason it got claimed for copyright. The artist believed that the company of the movie had no right to put his work in the film because of the promotional material attached to the film.
Ethical Consideration
Censorship
For Censorship in the Uk, it is managed by British Board of Film Classification. They are responsible for managing what film can be shown to an audience. When this happens, they give a certificate which allows them to release the finished film. If the film is offensive and very violent, they will not give a certificate. This means that the film company need to change some of the scenes of the film.
Offensive Content
This when content offends the viewer that is watching the film. This is because of the extreme violence and other things it may have included in it.
Decency
Decency is when you show something which maybe indecent often linked to sexual acts. This offends some of the viewers that are watching it.
Case study- Ethical Consideration (Postal 2007)
Postal is a movie that did not meet the ethical considerations because of it being centered around 9/11 terrorism which took place in real life. The movie is filled with sexism and scenes that mock the destruction of the world trade center with murders of innocent people. This offended the majority of the viewers that watched the film causing the film to get a lot of hate.
Evaluation
It is obvious that scripts are a way to take a film in the correct direction. It is the only way to examine if there is anything that needs to be changed before made into an actual film, tv series and more. Without the use of scripts, there wouldn't be any way to check for any mistakes when it comes to making the actual production. This is especially true as script writers must consider the legal consequences and ethical consequences. For example, in legal considerations they must make sure that their script is not similar to other people’s script which means their work can get copyrighted, then leading to their work being stolen and sued. In ethical consideration, they must make sure that the story that is written in the script is not offensive to the viewer. This means that if it is offensive, they will have to cut some scenes out which is why I personally think scripts help to plan out a film before it is made. It saves a lot of time and money needed to be spent.
Essentially, script writers should have good communication skills because it helps the production company, they are working with to be able to discuss ideas for a movie. Without a script writer with good communication skills, it will be difficult to have an initial idea for what you want your film to be like.
The best way I found for a script writer to get hired is to enter competitions competing against other people. It is the best way because it demonstrates a script writers potential to showcase their skills to the production company they wish to work for.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
References:
Academy of Art University. 2021. TV, Film & Digital Media Writing: A Guide to the Different Types of Scripts. [online] Available at: <https://blog.academyart.edu/tv-script-writing-feature-film-and-more-your-guide-to-types-of-screenplays/> [Accessed 20 September 2021].
Blog.finaldraft.com. 2021. What Are The Responsibilities Of a Screenwriter?. [online] Available at: <https://blog.finaldraft.com/what-are-the-responsibilities-of-a-screenwriter> [Accessed 20 September 2021].
Edwards, S., 2021. Screenwriting 101: How to Get an Agent - Coverfly. [online] Coverfly. Available at: <https://www.coverfly.com/screenwriting-101-how-to-get-an-agent/> [Accessed 22 September 2021].
Freshmenscreenplay.com. 2021. Do production companies buy scripts? (What, Why and How). [online] Available at: <https://freshmenscreenplay.com/do-production-companies-buy-scripts-what-why-and-how/> [Accessed 22 September 2021].
Freshmenscreenplay.com. 2021. The Secret How 97% of Screenwriters are Hired. [online] Available at: <https://freshmenscreenplay.com/the-secret-how-97-of-screenwriters-are-hired/> [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Gideon's Screenwriting Tips: Now You're a Screenwriter. 2021. What Exactly Is A Spec Script?. [online] Available at: <https://gideonsway.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/screenwriting-tip-5-anatomy-of-a-spec-script> [Accessed 24 September 2021].
Jackson, V., 2021. Screenplays vs Game Scripts: 5 Differences. [online] WriteOnSisters.com. Available at: <http://writeonsisters.com/writing-craft/screenplays-vs-game-scripts-5-differences/> [Accessed 24 September 2021].
ScreenSkills. 2021. Screen Writer. [online] Available at: <https://www.screenskills.com/starting-your-career/job-profiles/film-and-tv-drama/development-film-and-tv-drama-job-profiles/screenwriter/> [Accessed 17 September 2021].
Selbly, T., 2021. Unit 19 – Screenwriting. [online] TYLER SELBY MEDIA. Available at: <https://tylerselbymedia.wordpress.com/2018/09/13/unit-19-scriptwriting/> [Accessed 24 September 2021].
StudioBinder. 2021. The Fundamentals of Scriptwriting. [online] Available at: <https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-script-writing/> [Accessed 17 September 2021].
StudioBinder. 2021. 14 Best Screenwriting Contests of 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/best-screenwriting-contests/#:~:text=By%20entering%20screenwriting%20competitions%2C%20you,if%20not%20thousands%2C%20of%20entries.> [Accessed 22 September 2021].
2021. What Is Copyright? A Guide for Screenwriters. [online] Available at: <https://scriptangel.com/copyright-for-screenwriters/> [Accessed 16 October 2021].
StudioBinder. 2021. How to Copyright Your Screenplay. [online] Available at: <https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/copyright-screenplay/> [Accessed 15 October 2021].
Ofcom. 2021. What is the watershed?. [online] Available at: <https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/advice-for-consumers/television/what-is-the-watershed> [Accessed 16 October 2021].
Listverse. 2021. 10 Movies Plagued By Ethics Violations - Listverse. [online] Available at: <https://listverse.com/2014/11/14/10-movies-plagued-by-ethics-violations/> [Accessed 17 October 2021].
For my resubmission, I changed my case study as it was too focused on Houser's developmental work. Instead I added his career as a scriptwriter for games. I also added projects he has written and how he got started in script writing. After this, I added my evaluation as it was not yet completed.
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