First scriptwriting workshop with Simon

Scripwriting with Final Draft

In yesterday's lesson with Simon, after learning about the 'rules' of scriptwriting, we were given the task of working in pairs to create a 3 page screenplay with Final Draft using the journey to the studios as inspiration. 

This task was an interesting one for me because working in pairs meant that you both had to have an input on how the script went, as well as learning how to use the programme as you go along. I was able to gain a greater insight into what it's gonna be like writing my own screenplay and it actually made me feel more confident about it. 

Not only was the programme simple and easy to use, I was surprised at how easy the ideas can just flow once you're writing. The task was fun and it was interesting to see what we could come up with in such a short space of time, however there was a lot of things to remember and consider whilst writing the script, things such as using relevant and appropriate active words to describe and illustrate the atmosphere of the action. That was one of the challenges we faced because I felt like my vocabulary went a bit rusty during the task. So now I know that it wont hurt to pick up a thesaurus or dictionary if I'm struggling to find the right words for my screenplay. 

After completing the screenplay, printing it out and handing it in for Simon to have a quick read and mark, I was pleased with the feedback received as it highlighted the points that we struggled on. One of which was to not assume that the reader knows the setting, it was difficult to remember this as we sometimes got a little carried away and forgot to add those little details that set the atmosphere and the scene. Which is one of the most important elements within a screenplay. Even though we sometimes struggled to think of an appropriate active word, when we did use then, Simon had circled it and given it a tick, indicating that it was a good choice which was a nice. It made me realise that I do have the ability to find the right words so now I'm encouraged to make sure my vocabulary is heightened a bit more for when I start my screenplay.