Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Monday, 1 July 2013
Sunday, 30 June 2013
The Commissioning Process and Working as a Writer
Commissioning editor: The commissioning editor usually starts off as a editors assistant. Although conventionally employed by a lot of book publishers, some do freelance work but a lot of experience is required to do so. A commissioning editors job is to decide what is going to be screened. With the producer and the commissioning editor together they decide on a programming schedule of when each particular programme should be shown.
Producers: Producers control all aspects of a film's production. Producers are usually shown different screenplays and concepts in TV and Film and then decide which one they would like to make. The producer chooses which staff he wants to complete the production of the film. Producers deal with pre-production by choosing the cast and crew but also oversee the pre production process. Not only this but they also oversee the production. Making sure it goes smoothly and that they have all the appropriate funding as well as securing this funding.Post production they deal with marketing the film and overseeing the advertisement of the production.
Director: The directors job is to take screenplays and use them to create his own vision of what he believes the production should look like. Though some directors may write their own script they usually commission script writers to create a script. Not only this but the director also manages cast and crew. In the post production stage the director would work closely with the editor to create their vision of the final product.
Script editors: Script editors are usually part of production companies but on occasion. The main jobs of the script editor is to analyse scripts and gives a critical and analytical approach by going through the screenplay. In identifying these issues which may arise within the screenplay, the screenwriter can the amend the screenplay so that it is more refined.
Agents: It is the agents job to find work for their clients. This means that the agent has to get screenwriters commissioned. As part this an agent must be up to date with all recent films and aware of any similarities between certain film concepts which have gotten the green light.
Writers: It's the job of the writer to create a story which will appeal to the director. In doing this a writer must do a lot of research for the production. They must know everything about the story and how the narrative will drive forward. It is important to make the screenplay appealing as the screenplay will be sent of to directors and production companies. This is important as the director must envision his own perspective of the screenplay.
Corporations: Corporations entail such channels as Sky and BBC exist solely to create high quality programming. BBC usually like to take on young talent. The BBC's writers room is a way for young aspiring writers to send in there work. This way younger writers can get commissioned based on there script. These scripts are reviewed and the best is then created.
Independent production companies: Independent production companies although don't have the same reputation, are much easier to submit scripts to. These companies are much easier as they like to look for fresh new talent. However many independent production companies produce their own scripts.
Independent Producers and Directors: Independent Producers and directors are usually a lot more in control of the production as they don't conventionally have restraints over the creation of the project. However if you are a independent director or producer then you have to fund these productions yourself which can make production difficult. However being an independent producer, you can choose which screenplays you can start funding.
Organisations: Organisations are sometimes set in place to aid people in writing their scripts. Though they do not secure funding these organisations can in fact give critical analysis. This helps developing the screenplay. BBC writers room also offer help in terms of development of screenplays.
The role of the writer: A writers job starts in the pre production stage as it must be the job of the writer to make sense of the screenplay. In doing this the writer must research everything to do with the screenplay. This means the background, characters and the plot. They may do their own readings of other screenplays to gain perspective on the creation of a screenplay. In order to get the screenplay down to perfection it must be read over and over by script editors to get some critical analysis in which the writer must make improvements based on the analysis. After being commissioned it is possible for changes to be made based on shooting the production.
As a writer it is important to have certain considerations to do with royalties with the music. Not only this but there certain things that you must consider like libel. Another legal consideration would be copyright. In the initial research it is important for the writer that what he is writing hasn't already been done. This can have very severe legal consequences for writer. This is the same for copying an existing script. If your screenplay is libel then there may be difficulties in getting it made. Furthermore there may also be issues to do with the bias opinions of the writer. If these conflict with censorship then there will be issues. Another important point would be to decide on a target audience as it dictates when your production will be shown.
As well as this, it is important that you get representation to get yourself recognised. This will help you get recognised by producers and directors through their contacts. With these contacts you will allow yourself to do interviews which would consist of a presentation about the story. These walk through presentations should be as enthralling as you intend the screenplay to be. This way you grab their attention. When commissioned by a director you may have to work to a deadline so it is important to manage your time correctly.
Producers: Producers control all aspects of a film's production. Producers are usually shown different screenplays and concepts in TV and Film and then decide which one they would like to make. The producer chooses which staff he wants to complete the production of the film. Producers deal with pre-production by choosing the cast and crew but also oversee the pre production process. Not only this but they also oversee the production. Making sure it goes smoothly and that they have all the appropriate funding as well as securing this funding.Post production they deal with marketing the film and overseeing the advertisement of the production.
Director: The directors job is to take screenplays and use them to create his own vision of what he believes the production should look like. Though some directors may write their own script they usually commission script writers to create a script. Not only this but the director also manages cast and crew. In the post production stage the director would work closely with the editor to create their vision of the final product.
Script editors: Script editors are usually part of production companies but on occasion. The main jobs of the script editor is to analyse scripts and gives a critical and analytical approach by going through the screenplay. In identifying these issues which may arise within the screenplay, the screenwriter can the amend the screenplay so that it is more refined.
Agents: It is the agents job to find work for their clients. This means that the agent has to get screenwriters commissioned. As part this an agent must be up to date with all recent films and aware of any similarities between certain film concepts which have gotten the green light.
Writers: It's the job of the writer to create a story which will appeal to the director. In doing this a writer must do a lot of research for the production. They must know everything about the story and how the narrative will drive forward. It is important to make the screenplay appealing as the screenplay will be sent of to directors and production companies. This is important as the director must envision his own perspective of the screenplay.
Corporations: Corporations entail such channels as Sky and BBC exist solely to create high quality programming. BBC usually like to take on young talent. The BBC's writers room is a way for young aspiring writers to send in there work. This way younger writers can get commissioned based on there script. These scripts are reviewed and the best is then created.
Independent production companies: Independent production companies although don't have the same reputation, are much easier to submit scripts to. These companies are much easier as they like to look for fresh new talent. However many independent production companies produce their own scripts.
Independent Producers and Directors: Independent Producers and directors are usually a lot more in control of the production as they don't conventionally have restraints over the creation of the project. However if you are a independent director or producer then you have to fund these productions yourself which can make production difficult. However being an independent producer, you can choose which screenplays you can start funding.
Organisations: Organisations are sometimes set in place to aid people in writing their scripts. Though they do not secure funding these organisations can in fact give critical analysis. This helps developing the screenplay. BBC writers room also offer help in terms of development of screenplays.
The role of the writer: A writers job starts in the pre production stage as it must be the job of the writer to make sense of the screenplay. In doing this the writer must research everything to do with the screenplay. This means the background, characters and the plot. They may do their own readings of other screenplays to gain perspective on the creation of a screenplay. In order to get the screenplay down to perfection it must be read over and over by script editors to get some critical analysis in which the writer must make improvements based on the analysis. After being commissioned it is possible for changes to be made based on shooting the production.
As a writer it is important to have certain considerations to do with royalties with the music. Not only this but there certain things that you must consider like libel. Another legal consideration would be copyright. In the initial research it is important for the writer that what he is writing hasn't already been done. This can have very severe legal consequences for writer. This is the same for copying an existing script. If your screenplay is libel then there may be difficulties in getting it made. Furthermore there may also be issues to do with the bias opinions of the writer. If these conflict with censorship then there will be issues. Another important point would be to decide on a target audience as it dictates when your production will be shown.
As well as this, it is important that you get representation to get yourself recognised. This will help you get recognised by producers and directors through their contacts. With these contacts you will allow yourself to do interviews which would consist of a presentation about the story. These walk through presentations should be as enthralling as you intend the screenplay to be. This way you grab their attention. When commissioned by a director you may have to work to a deadline so it is important to manage your time correctly.
Monday, 17 June 2013
Research materials for my script.
In terms of my script proposal I need to do a lot of research into my script proposal as the content featured does include a lot of controversial content. First I had started trying to find another script which was a factual drama. In doing this I can see how they would be written and what was different from scripts of an non-factual nature.
The script I first looked at was The Hour which was a factual drama based in the background of the Suez crisis during Cold war England. This is based on a factual program with journalists telling the news from the Suez crisis. I chose The Hour because the script included that of a factual back drop in which I could learn how they handle the factual elements and use fact to create real drama. Not only this but I seek to understand how the dialogue would be different from other dramas which were not based on fact. In seeing how they handle information and how it is communicated I can adapt and learn how to and finally then use it in my script. Not only this but In reading the script I wish to understand how dialogue is used. Not only this but I also want to know when not to use it. Furthermore although the characters in the show are not 'real' I want to know how to characterize them and make the characters seem real without the dialogue but by making subtle inferences as well as using the silence to my advantage. Also I will use the script from the BBC drama The Girl which was about Alfred Hitchcocks obsession with Tippi Hedren. The reason I will use this would be because of the characters based on real people. In looking at the script I hope to learn how the writer emulated the characters dialogue and their persona's. I'd also hope to make use of the stage direction to further ensure an clear character is shown without simply stating it in dialogue. Another used would be Hillsborough which was based around the disaster at Hillsborough stadium. I chose this one because the programme was a documentary drama which was the basis of my programme. I hope to take from this the realistic dialogue and movements and how you would convey real people.
Another source of evidence is the use of factual information in my script.This information has been gathered from numerous sources including that of documentaries about the issue. The main documentary would be the Panorama which detailed the atrocities that Jimmy Savile had committed. Another would be the initial show which had exposed Jimmy Savile. ITV's Exposure would also be valuable in using the information which will be eventually portrayed in the drama. Not only this Exposure is crucial as the documentary is key in the narrative of my script. This will provide a sense of resolution although not completely. Other information can be found everywhere from the BBC News to general websites as the controversial issues is so massive that there is secondary information all over the place. I look for factual information because as shown in my script proposal I do not want to create narrative devices to create drama but to use the real information to show a real drama. Not only this but I would attempt to search for interviews or if with proper authority to interview some of the people featured.
Also I will use material gained from the opinions of others. This would be about the allegations made as there are some who say that its a tragedy that Jimmy Savile isn't alive to defend himself because of these allegations. Jim Davidson who was also arrested based on allegations. Jim Davidson's opinion was "As odd as he was, Savile can't defend himself. The blokes dead for Gods sake. Let's move on". However he is not the only one to suggest these opinions. Another would be the comic Freddie Starr who has been accused in this child sex scandal. He stated that "Jimmy Savile is dead and buried and not around to defend himself but now people are looking for someone else to pin it all on". However the opposing view would be that of the public in the sense the Savile's name should be put to shame as a sense of justice for the countless victims of his abuse. Other also believe that some big names in the BBC should also be names as they would have let this happen for so long.
The script I first looked at was The Hour which was a factual drama based in the background of the Suez crisis during Cold war England. This is based on a factual program with journalists telling the news from the Suez crisis. I chose The Hour because the script included that of a factual back drop in which I could learn how they handle the factual elements and use fact to create real drama. Not only this but I seek to understand how the dialogue would be different from other dramas which were not based on fact. In seeing how they handle information and how it is communicated I can adapt and learn how to and finally then use it in my script. Not only this but In reading the script I wish to understand how dialogue is used. Not only this but I also want to know when not to use it. Furthermore although the characters in the show are not 'real' I want to know how to characterize them and make the characters seem real without the dialogue but by making subtle inferences as well as using the silence to my advantage. Also I will use the script from the BBC drama The Girl which was about Alfred Hitchcocks obsession with Tippi Hedren. The reason I will use this would be because of the characters based on real people. In looking at the script I hope to learn how the writer emulated the characters dialogue and their persona's. I'd also hope to make use of the stage direction to further ensure an clear character is shown without simply stating it in dialogue. Another used would be Hillsborough which was based around the disaster at Hillsborough stadium. I chose this one because the programme was a documentary drama which was the basis of my programme. I hope to take from this the realistic dialogue and movements and how you would convey real people.
Another source of evidence is the use of factual information in my script.This information has been gathered from numerous sources including that of documentaries about the issue. The main documentary would be the Panorama which detailed the atrocities that Jimmy Savile had committed. Another would be the initial show which had exposed Jimmy Savile. ITV's Exposure would also be valuable in using the information which will be eventually portrayed in the drama. Not only this Exposure is crucial as the documentary is key in the narrative of my script. This will provide a sense of resolution although not completely. Other information can be found everywhere from the BBC News to general websites as the controversial issues is so massive that there is secondary information all over the place. I look for factual information because as shown in my script proposal I do not want to create narrative devices to create drama but to use the real information to show a real drama. Not only this but I would attempt to search for interviews or if with proper authority to interview some of the people featured.
Also I will use material gained from the opinions of others. This would be about the allegations made as there are some who say that its a tragedy that Jimmy Savile isn't alive to defend himself because of these allegations. Jim Davidson who was also arrested based on allegations. Jim Davidson's opinion was "As odd as he was, Savile can't defend himself. The blokes dead for Gods sake. Let's move on". However he is not the only one to suggest these opinions. Another would be the comic Freddie Starr who has been accused in this child sex scandal. He stated that "Jimmy Savile is dead and buried and not around to defend himself but now people are looking for someone else to pin it all on". However the opposing view would be that of the public in the sense the Savile's name should be put to shame as a sense of justice for the countless victims of his abuse. Other also believe that some big names in the BBC should also be names as they would have let this happen for so long.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Lyric Analysis
Gimme
a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
What I gather from the lyrics and time the song was made is that the song maybe about a soldier in the Vietnam war wanting to return to his "baby" back home. However this is also applicable to any person who is looking to get back to their "baby".
I
don't care how much money I gotta spend
Got to get back to baby again
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Got to get back to baby again
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Chorus:
Well,
she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway….
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway….
The interpretation for these lyrics is fairly standard in
interpreting because they are so literal. The fact that his lover literally
sent a letter.
Gimme
a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
I
said my baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Chorus:
Well,
she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway………
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway………
The pace of the song goes quite simply from a moderate
fairly slow pace and then goes on to a faster pace in the chorus.
GUITAR
SOLO
Chorus:
Well,
she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a moreAnyway………
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a moreAnyway………
Gimme
a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely
days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
My baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Chorus:
Well,
she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway………
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back
To my baby once-a more
Anyway………
The style of the song is fairly repetitive with the lyrics
however this was the style of rock music at the time.
Gimme
a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My baby….
My
baby….
My
baby, just-a wrote me a letter
Lonely
days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
My
baby, just-a wrote me a letter
In terms of the performers style they are typically a pub
band and so only really do covers of other songs. They mostly cover old rock
titles and anthems in which other people would know and can sing along to.
Being a cover band they don’t really have a particular style or any
concepts. However they are a pub band
and do put their own swing on the songs due to the variety of people in the
band. The band doesn’t have a look in particular. Other songs they have done
include such songs as Wishing Well- Free,
Are you gonna be my girl- Jet, Times Like These- Foo Fighters. However in knowing what kind of video they want I have taken inspiration from such music videos as Shinedown- Second Chance. In these videos there is the band playing while the narrative is going on as if they are narrating the story.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Friday, 8 February 2013
Working with constraints.
The first constraint would be that of time. This is because some of the production would be filmed at night. Therefore we must film this when it turns night at around 5.30 which means that certain cast or staff would have to find a way home. Not only this but we must work to a deadline. This deadline would be easy to work with if we were to prioritize our planning and productions. Also we must complete the different sections in the correct time scale.
Another would be the costs. This will be limited as there is very little costumes or props that we will need for the proposed script. Main costs would be perhaps a police costume. This is because all the the costumes and props are available to us thanks to the college. The only cost would be that of the police outfit which would be around £18.
For the personnel we must ensure they are available at the appropriate times in which we would be acceptable for us and them. Also they must fit the criteria for the character they are portraying. Also we must assign which person would be doing what. This would also be the same for the managing of the equipment. Not only this but we must sort out releases for those acting.The resources we are able to use would be the majority of the props as well as the costumes. These would include the suits and forensic outfits as well as the fake blood and limbs used. Not only that the microphone and camera will be provided by the college. The resources would be used effectively and will be treated with care.
The legal and ethical considerations would be not really be a problem considering our script as the script does not include any ethical issues. Not only this they would not include any breaching of privacy or anything what would be considered unethical. However in terms of cars we can not have any licenses plates as this would be a breach of privacy. Also we will make sure that nothing that would be considered racist against race or religion is not screened. Not only this but there must be no one in the shot who did not want to be in the shot. This would be an infringement of privacy.
The issues revolving the codes of practice would be that of the water shed. This is because the script depicts scenes which would be considered gory and not fit for viewing by younger children. However there will not be any bad language which may be harmful to the audience. Also the production must go by the Ofcoms regulations. In reading through I have identified that there is a gory scene in which depicts a dead body and so would not be eligible for TV before the water shed. Not only this but there is not swearing or language which could be considered offensive.
Another would be copyright issues. All though this would be influenced by other shows it does not infringe any knows TV shows visually or anything conveyed in the narrative. To ensure this we have checked through the influences to ensure that the show does not show any major similarities.
Research an Idea
In researching we looked into the target audience. This audience would be around 20-40's. This was chosen because of the general appeal of this narrative structure as well as people admiring the cinematographic elements shown. Though 20-40 we believe that the economic class would be that of D1/C1. This would be around working class to middle class. We think this because of the gore aspect could appeal however also the lack of swearing while not making it tacky.
Looking into other shows which may be similar to our proposed script one propped up as being 9th in the top 30 on the BARB website which gives audience figures. From this we can deduce that people are commonly attracted to crime dramas such as ours. The BARB would look into listing into which shows are most popular. Not only this but we can see from the time slot in which Silent witness was. From this we can learn that the most appropriate time to show such a show would be around 9 o'clock in the evening.
Not only this but we had researched primary information by looking into doing questionnaires. The people we had used the questionnaires on were the target audience age group and around the same economic class targeted. The response was generally good as the main appeal seemed to be the narrative as it appealed to them through the detective crime drama. Not only this but the proposal was pitched to the class. The response was generally good with few criticisms relating to some holes in the story. However these were plugged through the questioning making the general response good.
The secondary research would be the information gained from the influence into the style of the crime drama as opposed to those we had researched. This would be such shows as Sherlock and Edge of Darkness. These shows have been looked into to understand what audience they attract and what in the shows narrative made it so appealing to the intended audience. Also we looked into Silent witness to understand the views recorded by the BARB.
Competitors in the market seem to be wide however the only competition seems to be over time slots. However the shows in which we anticipate will be competing with our proposed script would be such shows as Silent Witness. This would be evident through the BARB's listing which showed that Silent Witness is incredibly popular in the BBC. However another show would be Sherlock which would be key in competition as the detective drama narrative would be fairly similar to us and so would provide to be a big competitor.
Also we looked into the market research. The market seems to be well accepting of crime dramas as they generally appeal to the target audience. Not only this but there seems to be no other show the narrative structure shown. Not only this but there is although more competition at the moment with crime drama's they all seem to be thriving. This is also beneficial as the market seemingly is quite keen on detective protagonists. This is evident through such shows as Sherlock as well as some others further away like America's spin on the Sherlock Holmes stories Elementary.
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
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