Phil's book is 'The Art & Science of Scriptwriting' I've just got it out of the library and not started reading it yet, but it looks interesting. Actually, although I've got a couple of scriptwriting books, I've never read one cover to cover, I just dip into them for advice if I'm stuck or something - doubt if I'll read Phil's either, but I will take a dip.
> There are approx. 300 shorts made per year in UK with public funds - and 300 privately funded.
> What are awarders looking for? There are 2000 festivals with awards in the world – find the right festival for your film.
> Define terms with producer/writer/director so all singing from same hymn sheet.
> Phil’s terms:
Narrative: The totality of a work – every single part of it. Everything has a narrative – all have common elements (doc’s ad’s etc.) Sound can be a narrative element – all combine to form whole.
Story: Nothing to do with plot. You don’t have to find a story – stories are already out there (CG Jung) your character and conflict makes your story stand out in a distinctive way. Understand your story – story not an original element.
There are ten main stories (see Phil’s book)
Plot: Is about how you tell ‘the story’ people aren’t interested in story, but in plot – how you solve character problems and take them through it. Plot is not story, but arrangement of story ideas.
Theme: ‘What is it about?’ is the subject, not story or plot, and applies to pitch/concept. Theme is more than this – it’s about emotion. ‘Everyone has been treated unfairly at some point in their lives’. Emotionally you want injustice addressed, or you feel unresolved. We can as humans relate to other characters injustice. Don’t have to be human to suffer (Blade Runner) but empathy is about being human. ‘Undeserved Misfortune’ is a theme – audience instinctively identify with that character ). Form the story or stories around the theme. Right stories for right plot – dramatic unity. Theme underpins story – don’t waver from the theme. Just have one theme for a powerful narrative , it might have several stories – unite them with theme.
There are Eight main themes (see book). ‘Desire For Validation’ – most powerful contemporary theme.
We also watched and talked about in depth, some award winning short films from the UK.
The films were:'Is It The Design On The Wrapper' (1997 - only UK short film to ever win Palm d/Or) writer/director Tessa Sheridan.
'Small Deaths' (1996 - Cannes Jury Prize) writer/director Lynne Ramsay.
'Brown Paper Bag' (2003 - BAFTA winner) writer Geoff Thomson director Micahel Baig-Clifford
'Skin Deep' (2001 Jury Award Brest Euro. Short Film Fest. BAFTA nominated) writer/director Yousaf Ali-Khan.
'Moth' (2004) director Simon Corris writer Clifton Stewart.
'The Pearce Sisters' (2007 - animation) director Luis Cook adapted from a short story by Mick Jackson.
'Benjamin's Struggle' (2005) writer/director James Bresse.
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