Vis 177 Notes 1/17/06

Scripts:
	•	Two Types of Scripts - script and shooting script.
SCRIPT:  
	•	is dialogue continuity.
	•	SCRIPT has scenes in order w/ dialogue.
	•	Generally nothing over 105 pages in a SCRIPT.
	•	Shorter is better, easier to add content than to subtract it.
SHORT SCRIPT:
	•	6-40 pgs. in continuity
	•	all the characters.
	•	some dialogue.
	•	gives a sense of flow of things.
SYNOPSIS:
	•	No dialogue.
	•	2-4pgs.
TAG LINE:
	•	3 phrases Max.
	•	It's the basic pitch

STORY:
	•	Story is told because it refers to something that can't be said outright.
	•	At the CENTER there is COMPLEXITY & MYSTERY.
	•	Uses metaphor to explain the MYSTERY.
	•	Always about several characters.
	•	All characters are equally effected by some mystery.

CHARACTER & ACTORS
	•	Character takes detours and changes as they attempt to express the MYSTERY.
	•	One reacts to the mystery. Others are implicated by this initial reaction.
	•	ACTORS are agents of the realization of the narrative. Acts to the MYSTERY, cannot solve immediately.
	•	As ACTORS attempt to solve mystery, character changes and evolves.
	•	Characters are defined by action, Actors Act.
	•	Establish existence of mysteries in character and act in response to this.
	•	POV of Characters:  Can never be inside character's Head. 
	•	Constantly define character from outside...Framing, distance, costuming, etc.
	•	Actions are always reactions from characters. They do not define the terms of the debate.
	•	Character is Pathos, to feel emotion in relationship to things.
	•	Explore how you react but you can never express it outside of actions.

FLOW
	•	Constantly dealing with eq. of flow. Exists in states. A Succession of States.
	•	Builds to a FLUX.
	•	Moments in the flow need to be bracketed and analyzed.
	•	Want to nail precise moment and nature that exists between the characters.
	•	Drama of distance.
	•	ARC is made of lots of small moments.
	•	CInema is not one big flow but exists as a series of mini flows.
	•	A system that constantly evolves.
	•	Transform the solidity of scene A in B to something else.

DRAMA
	•	That which makes the situation what it is.
	•	The exchange between forces and people.

FILM
	•	made of a series of small films.
	•	Info is constantly presented and transformed.
	•	Series of Loops.
	•	BEGINNING OF FILM: Dark and then film is unfurled before you, you have some reference to the world. You are introduced to a world on which you you have no info what so ever.
	⁃	Preoccupied with giving the rules of the world.
	⁃	Film gives info and then mutates into the story. 
	•	changes from fractal info to emotional info.
	•	is about the evolution from the finite info you give the viewer at the beginning.
	•	ALWAYS TRAPPED BY FAMILIARITY.
	•	Sooner you have all elements together, quicker you can get moving.
	•	Content and info isn't as important as how it played out in the film.
	⁃	How info is divulged.
	⁃	info is parceled out in a way to tease.
	⁃	Introduce Info in an interesting way.
	•	Either audience knows as much, more, or less than characters, this animates the story.
	•	Ask what are elements of story, elements of info, how does the film skate on this info.

EXERCISES:
	•	1: Using a novel you like, take 20 lines and handwrite it continuously until you inherently memorize it. Also, until you understand the motivation as to why the author used each word and how he used the phrases to create something.
	•	2: Find a place where you can write and time yourself for twenty minutes. Just write until you hit on inspiration.

SUMMING UP:
	•	Center of narrative is mystery, can't be said out loud. Forces character to detour.
	•	Characters are reaction and pathos.
	⁃	exist in relation to each other.
	⁃	in relation to outside.
	•	Drama: what is what is. Equilibrium of of flow, expresses itself in visual terms. Reality of filmic flow. Each scene small film in greater film.
	•	1/3 of movie devoted to info.
	•	other devoted to emotion and evolution of info.
	•	3rd act emotional and factual, getting back to where they where and measuring change.

QUESTIONS:

	1.	Film is a series of loops, how so?