Post Day 1 Assignment Here

[David Halligan]

GUIDELINES FOR DAVE’S (COMEDY SHORT) SCREENPLAY

WHAT I LEARNED DOING THIS ASSIGNMENT:

When I put my own screenplay to the test I realized that it isn’t right for these times. Pity. I like that story but I won’t enter it into another contest now.

PART 1

I enjoyed doing the pre-course exercise and quickly came up with 10 ideas that fit the 4 elements for a contained movie. But I already see a few potential problems such as pets, special effects, and maybe costumes. One idea is a fantasy story that might be suitable for animation.

The story I plan on writing will be a short comedy with one actor on set and others as VO as done skillfully in “Locke.” It’s all on one location. The costume is period but probably something the actress could find in a thrift shop. Stock footage of a blizzard can be used for a couple establishing shots.

Write a pitch in one or two sentences.

In a small mining town in Pennsylvania during the great New Year’s Eve blizzard of 1950, social media means just one thing: The Possum Creek Party Line. “Number, please.”

Something Unique.

It’s got to be the tireless Switchboard Operator. (Audrey?) Snowbound in the office. Her kids are home alone. Her husband is the town vet and is out on a call. He can’t be reached. Half the town is partying, including her replacement who can’t make it in. Audrey is the most important person in town tonight. And she’s funny. Well, she better be funny.

PART 2.

Adjust “The Christmas Garden” to Covid Guidelines.

This is my most recent feature script. So instead of an already produced movie I’m doubling down on this assignment. I’ll test my own story against this new model. A self-inflicted wound is coming, I’m sure.

AS I WROTE IT:

A. People: At least a dozen speaking parts.

B. Stunts: There’s a dancing scene.

C. Extras: Hotel guests. A town square crowd. Family.

D. Wardrobe: Contemporary, but varied.

E. Hair & Make Up: Same as above.

F. Kids & Animals: Sisters ages 13, 10, and 4. A few horses, grazing.

G. Quarantine: I’d need a hotel for everyone involved.

COVID GUIDELINE VERSION:

A. People: I could cut a few characters. I’d have to find a few more funny scenes to compensate for it.

B. Stunts: Kill the dance number.

C. Extras: Who needs them. Tree-lighting ceremonies are super spreaders, anyway.

D. Wardrobe: They gotta wear costumes or we’ll never make the Hallmark Channel.

E. Hair & Make Up: That will still be expensive.

F. Kids & Animals: Must lose two of the girls and the horses. Any one of the sisters could expand their part. I wouldn’t mind writing that at all, except that it takes more than one flower to make a garden.

G. Quarantine: A slightly smaller hotel.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by  David Halligan.

[Breyanna Tolbert]

Breyanna’s Guidelines for LEGALLY BLONDE

What I learned doing this assignment is that many locations, cast, crew and extras can greatly decrease a film’s budget if certain scenes are cut down or eliminated.

Part 1

I chose the story idea with just over a handful of people because it would require the least amount of actors. The large location would offer a lot of space and a variety of rooms. The film would require very little hair and make-up, with practically no extras as well.

I can write a pitch about it since it is a simple story with just a few characters. The setting and backstory of the area will be the unique part of the film.

Part 2

TITLE: Legally Blonde

AS THEY DID IT:

A. People – Elle and her boyfriend, her sorority sisters, Elle’s parents, Harvard law department students, Harvard orientation students, courtroom defendant, professors, nail shop employees.

B. Stunts – Nail shop dance.

C. Extras – Law students in around campus and in classrooms, sorority sisters that lived in the house and helped Elle study, Harvard admissions team, retail employees, courtroom attendees.

D. Wardrobe – extensive outfits for Elle (both relaxed and conservative designer looks), preppy looks for students, business looks for professors, admissions committee and courtroom attendees, designer looks for sorority sisters.

E. Hair and Make Up – Polished hair, nails and make up looks for sorority girls, especially Elle.

F. Kids and Animals – Elle’s dog (who had his own wardrobe).

G. Quarantine- Had many extras in restaurant break up scene, school orientation day, classrooms, courtroom, sorority house and nail shop.

COVID GUIDELINE VERSION:

A. People – Instead of a sorority, have Elle be a struggling cosmetology student with one good friend, she gets admissions letter in the mail. The program is exclusive and offers independent study with only 5 other students. Small claims court case with just a judge, lawyers and closed to most other people.

B. Stunts – None

C. Extras – Cut out costume party scene and orientation day and restaurant break up scene. Nail shop business struggles with virtually no customers and two employees. Elle talks to her parents over video chat.

D. Wardrobe – Elle dresses nicely but the clothes are far from designer.

E. Hair and Make Up – Elle does her own hair and make up flawlessly.

F. Kids and Animals – No dog in the movie.

G. Quarantine – Turning the school into a small program limits the need for students. Removing part, restaurant scene, nail shop employees, sorority house and courtroom limits the extras and locations.

[Halloween Bloodfrost]

Guidelines for Halloween’s “GasLight”

What i learned doing this assignment is that story concepts shine, in horror, with intensity which comes from a lack of space.

Part 1: When the police sequester a group of witnesses to an interstate fatality, at a local gas station, they quickly learn that they are being stalked by the sinister force that caused it.

Part 2: The Thing

A:People- 17 characters.

Covid- 4 characters

B;Stunts: a helicopter. Chased by The thing, various pyrotechnics, action sequences in the alien craft.

Covid: replace the adrenaline with movements of tension. lesser than more alternating between who is the Thing and relief at who isn’t. make it more psychological as secrets are ferreted out and risks are exposed.

C: Extras – The Thing’s explosion from the basement. expensive SFX that require fire and practical effects personnel.

Covid: Eliminate the required on set personnel by having an end of movie reveal of the creature. Old school horror shoot.

D:Wardrobe: Cold weather gear.

Covid: relocate the movie from an Antarctica base to an abandoned mall. Clothing as is. No wardrobe personnel needed.

H:Hair and makeup- Cold weather sfx, frost effects etc. SFX of transformations.

Covid: Change the cast from scientists to bank robbers on the run, hiding behind rubber masks.

F:Quarintine- having groups of actors in the same room and close proximity

covid: Have each actor hide in a room while the story progresses, as a measure of safety after the Thing’s reveal. work in social distancing and 6 feet as a way of ensuring they aren’t in contact with a carrier of The Thing.