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Screenwriting and Planning Laboratory

Code 16616
Year 2
Semester S1
ECTS Credits 6
Workload OT(15H)/PL(45H)
Scientific area Cinema
Entry requirements 1. Be fluent in written Portuguese. 2. Some bibliography and filmography will be available in foreign languages.
Learning outcomes At the end of this course unit, the student must be able to:
1. Correctly apply screenwriting techniques.
2. Write a script for a fictional short film.
3. Write the texts that contextualize a script (synopsis, tag line, treatment).
4. Articulate the script with the other phases of the making of a movie.
5. Develop a critical spirit in the assessment of literary and cinematic texts.
Syllabus 1. Basic concepts
1.1. Characteristics of a short movie
1.2. What is a scritp?
1.3. The format of a script
2. Planification
2.1. Finding good ideias
2.2. Researching about characters, space and time
2.3. Building credible characters
2.4. Writing natural dialogues
3. Writing
3.1. The narrative arch
3.2. Equilibrium
3.3. Inciting incident
3.4. Growing obstacles
3.5. Climax
3.6. Epilogue
4. Revision
4.1. Tips to revise a script
4.2. Checking list
5. Promotion
5.1. Writing the paratexts
5.2. Being successful in the pitch
Main Bibliography Bibliography
Comparato, Doc. Da criação ao guião. Lx: Pergaminho, 2003.
Mancelos, João de. Como escrever um guião para curta-metragem. Lx: Colibri, 2019.
McKee, Robert. Story. New York: Methuen, 1999.
Nogueira, Luís. Laboratório de guionismo. Covilhã: Labcom, 2010.
Parent-Altier, Dominique. O argumento cinematográfico. Lx: Texto & Grafia, 2011.
Prior, Allan. Script to Screen. Herts: Ver Books, 1996.
Seger, Linda. Making a Good Script Great. Hollywood: Samuel French, 1994.
Trottier, David. The Screenwriter’s Bible. Beverly Hills: Silman-James, 2010.
Filmography
Godard, Jean-Luc, dir. Charlotte et Véronique. France: Films de la Pléiade, 1959.
Moodysson, Lukas, dir. Bara Prata Lite. Sweden: Memfis Film, 1997.
Mullan, Peter, dir. Fridge. Scotland: Green Bridge/Antonine, 1995.
Osborne, Patrick, dir. Feast. USA: Walt Disney, 2014.
Peña, Juanjo G, dir. Timecode. Spain: Nadir Films, 2016.
Shi, Domee, dir. Bao. USA: Pixar, 2018.
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria Methods:
1. Explanation of screenwriting techniques.
2. Analysis of meaningful examples.
3. Suggested exercises to drill certain techniques.
4. Constructive comments produced by the colleagues and the professor.
5. Writing of a script, step by step.
Assessment:
I will take into account: the student's talent for writing fiction; discipline and hard work; proficiency in oral and written Portuguese; capability of taking criticism from the professor and the colleagues.
The mark results from a script, a synopsis and a treatment (max. 10 pages), for a short film.
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2023-10-02

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