Capstone Research Week 1 Notes

Richard Van Vliet

Summary: this week Ive taken notes on the films Goodfellas and Rushmore and commented on
how they use music to complement scenes, pitching ideas for my own screenplay as well. Ive
also researched how to make a soundtrack and have learned how music can change a scene, and
how/when to use music. Ive done lots of research on how to keep a short screenplay interesting
and to the point, how to write it in general, how to format it. Ive taken notes from two short
films and commented as well as taken notes on formatting and guidelines on how to write a
screenplay from the screenwriters bible. One of the main takeaways to short screenplays/films is
keep the dialogue very succinct and each scene economical, as in containing action and driving
the story forward. Ive also learned that there are typically only three characters. This research
has helped answer the questions of how to actually format a screenplay as well as how to
incorporate music into a screenplay effectively.
Short screenplay notes:
General should have a hero and a goal and an obstacle/antagonist
Demonstrate a unique worldview
Make the conflict one moment dragged out
Add a deadline/ticking clock to add tension
Economize/dont use too much dialogue

Even though this is just a script, try telling a story visually using the way characters look to
help define their character rather than dialogue about it
Work towards a resolving and satisfying ending
Dont delay in getting to the conflict from the start
Avoid clichs i.e. heists, children representing innocence etc.
Maybe put a spin on a common plotline write about a child that looks innocent but turns out to
not be?
http://www.raindance.org/7-rules-for-writing-short-films/
Only have one major conflict- no subplot or side character struggles
Focus on developing a memorable character/one you can empathize with rather than going for all
plot.
This being said also go for the plot twist at the beginning and the end since its so short to draw
more interest. Go for an interesting and possibly morally questionable character

Leave the viewer with some optimism. Its relatively easy to say something cynical about
human nature, relationships, or peoples greed. But can you find something positive in even the
darkest story, while still being true to your vision? If you can leave the viewer with at least a
moderately positive impression, theyll be more likely to remember your work. This isnt to say
that you need to add an upbeat, rom-com-style ending to a story that doesnt warrant it. But do
challenge yourself to see if your ending can be more of an upper than a downer. Takeaway: End
with a positive spin, if at all possible.
http://www.scriptmag.com/features/7-simple-secrets-making-a-short-film
Notes from the crush: story has only 3 real characters and one protagonist one antagonist
Main conflict is very simple

Scenes are very simple and economical

Most dialogue is meaningful but there are still quick blurts of unrelated information to set the
scene i.e. entering a classroom and overhearing the teacher explaining something, the childs
parents asking him how his day was
All events in the script are meaningful
Right off the bat after setting the scene a meaningful action occurs and drives the storyline
Story is somewhat odd student falls in love with teacher
Twist at the beginning with the teacher having a boyfriend
Twist at the end with the gun not being real
Since the story is so short, twists are good - Dont make a predictable movie. Put in as many
twists as possibleespecially in the first minute and the final minute.
Notes from Sebastians Voodoo: once again the story only has three characters and one major
conflict which is yet again simple
There is no dialogue, which makes the story more simple and I suppose more relatable
although plan on adding dialogue

Goodfellas soundtrack notes:

Continuous theme throughout, loud dance/big band music

More serious scenes usually dont have music, when robberies are happening there is no
music(after the robbery happens and there is celebration there is often music), when a guy is
beaten there is no music
Music aids to make the happy scenes more happy, serves as background to the montages/time
lapses/setting the scene
Lyrics line up with content occasionally. After marriage a big band song comes in I always
thought Id meet a man tall rich and strong. But now hes come along and hes nothing like I
thought hed be.
Music signals that something is going to happen when it plays over scenes of brutality a man
gets beaten and happy music is playing, begins the start of the conflict in the film
Halfway through rock music begins playing (rolling stones) as the guys set up a heist
Changes the feel of the movie/tone
Music lines up comically after the heist as they rejoice and frosty the snowman plays brings the
movie back into the normal feel
Later on sunshine of your love plays when there is a plan to kill jimmy- changes the feel once
again
Another rock song plays, as tommy is made (into a boss) and changes the feel
Rock music often emphasizes very important or changing moments
Almost all the music in the movie is excited, happy, regardless of the scene

Towards the end the soundtrack becomes almost all rock signaling a chance from what could
be thought of as order to increasing chaos
An interesting note Scorsese only used music that could have been heard at the time at which a
scene took place. As in if a scene took place in 1973, he could use music from only that year or
before.
Comments/ideas: use music obviously to change/ add to the tone, but also consider
having certain themes in the music that can progressively change. Sync lyrics with relevance not
always but sometimes.
Soundtrack notes:
Keep silence/natural sounds to emphasize certain things in the scene dont always use music.
Use music only intentionally to change the mood of a scene/add to the tone
https://www.raindance.org/how-to-choose-the-perfect-soundtrack/
Dont use music that has become popular in other movies viewers will get nostalgic and it will
take away from the piece
Dont use very popular music for the same reason at least not present day pop music
Overall the soundtrack is something you do yourself with no extreme guidelines or rules
Use music to compliment movement
Things happening use upbeat music, lots of movement same thing
Rushmore soundtrack notes:

In this movie the lyrics also line up. Notably in the pool scene. she was two timin me the
character sees his wife flirting with another man. It adds humor to a scene that would otherwise
most likely be uncomfortable turns an odd situation into an even more odd one and makes it
very funny. ---- again, use music to emphasize emotions/slightly change mood/tone
In an important scene where Max tracks down the writer of a comment in a book, happy fast
music plays. Gives an air of productivity.
In the next scene Max and Rosemary discuss death in a matter of fact but somber matter. The
scene would have been gloomy, but happy music played and took away the tone made it seem
as if things were carrying on as normal.
After Max receives funding for a project of his, trees swayin in the summer breeze plays
adding a humorous yet happy vibe.
Note there is music in most if not all montages and large transitions
Overly dramatic music adds humor to an otherwise violent scene where Herman runs over
maxs bicycle and in revenge, Max cuts his breaks. you are forgiven plays to add
humor/irony
Overall, the movie keeps the tone of music the same throughout, making the few rock
tunes/funny tunes stand out much more

How to write screenplay notes:

Even though its written its primarily visual

Focus on the action rather than the dialogue

Showing rather than telling
Let the action display the inner conflict in the characters and the dialogue display the
interpersonal conflict
Turning points in the story crisis
Put the character in a crisis that requires them to make a decision / avert the crisis to conclude
the story
Divide the story into beginning middle end 25 50 25
Make a good first impression with a hook i.e. something like flames in the night sky. Or a
jungle aflame and the surreal sounds of helicopters. - get into some action right in the
beginning
Start out with peace in the protagonists world, and have a character or event (the catalyst)
mess things up and create the conflict. Then comes the pinch of the story, or when the
character becomes very determined to succeed or the stakes are risen
Then we have the crisis which is the low point that forces a decision leading the story to the
showdown or where the protagonist faces the conflict. Also the realization, usually a
character must go through some change or realization through the story
Have a central / pivotal character. Protagonist + antagonist.
Use foreshadowing for a setup and payoff system obvious foreshadow something, the
setup, it later happens, the payoff

TITLE:
have the title be very short and apply directly to what the screenplay is about. i.e. Honey, I
Shrunk the kids = sci-fi family movie, Scream is obviously a horror movie, toy story makes
sense as a kids move, Raider of the lost ark..? what arc, Noahs arc? Make sure the title makes
immediate sense
GOALS AND NEEDS:
the character has two different main objectives goals and needs
For example the short film the crush the goal of the child is to scare the teachers boyfriend,
but his need is her love
PLOT:
choose a main plot. Synonymous for structure
In most screenplays there are two main plots the inside/emotional plot and the
outside/action plot, but since this is a short screenplay only focus on the outside/action plot
Many plots to schoose from but some of the basic structures are: the character wins, grows
up, loses, grows by doing the right thing
For a short screenplay I think we need the character wins
DIALOGUE:
edited speech. Doesnt have to be real, just realistic. As in there isnt as much rambling
Dont just say what the character feels make sure the audience has to pay attention to
interpret what they mean subtext

In order to write dialogue, read out loud to detect errors

Make sure each character speaks a little differently, be aware of the rhythm and words used
Avoid introductions and too much meaningless chitchat
MOTIVATION OF CHARACTER:
the character has to be motivated to accomplish his goal and he has to be motivated for a
specific reason this is what makes the story powerful, someones drive to succeed
The more personal the motivation, the better since the audience will more sympathize and
understand your character
BACKSTORY:
in a regular screenplay your character should have a backstory a singular event that happens to
your central character.
in a short screenplay a backstory isnt necessary
THE WILL TO ACT:
make sure your character acts more than he talks
THEME: at the end of the story, make sure the conclusion reflects some sort of theme or central
idea
Dont focus on this at first although, so as not to make the screenplay preachy
See if the resolution of the story teaches a lesson, and if not have room to change
Actually starting to write: how to make a scene

Each scene should move the plot along in terms of character and action
Focus more just on the action part
Never tell what you can show be as visual as possible at all times
Keep the scene as concise as possible in the editing process cut out any unnecessary dialogue
or things at the beginning of the scene
AVOID TALKING HEADS:
if there is important extended dialogue, dont have the characters stay in the same place, have
them move around maybe even from scene to scene
PACE YOUR SCENES
Scenes should culminate in something dramatic. A decision or an imminent decision. This is
what keeps the audience engaged. Keep them guessing with plot twist especially for a short
screenplay
TRANSITIONS:
Use effective transitions that fit into the imagery of the screenplay do not just use fade ins or
fade outs
e.g. one scene could end with a tennis ball spinning and the next could fade into a car wheel
spinning
FORMATTING:
Three parts to screenplay.
1. headings (3 types) (slug lines)

a. master scene headings which have camera location (EXT. or INT.), scene location,
and time ( DAY or NIGHT)
b. secondary scene headings
c. special headings for flashbacks, dreams, montages and series of shots(only thing you
will use most likely)
narrative description
a. action
b. setting and character (visual images)
c. sounds
dialogue
a. character cue, name of person speaking (appears in caps)
b. parenthetical actors direction (optional and not necessary)
c. speech
USE COURIER 12 POINT FONT

What it should look like -

Write narrative description in present tense.

Use ampersand in the title to signal two writers
Use a left margin of 1.5 inches with a right margin of 1.24 inches. The right margin
should be ragged.
TABS left margin at 15 spaces from the left
Dialogue at 25 spaces 10 spaces from the left
Actors instruction at 31 spaces, 16 spaces from the left
Characters name at 37, 22 spaces from the left margin
Dialogue box should be no wider than 3.5 inches
A script page should include about 54 to 55 lines - not including page number
Page numbers in the upper right, to the right margin, half inch from top of page
No page number on the first page
FIRST PAGE
Title of script centered at top of page, CAPPED, and underscored.
Almost always begins with FADE IN: and can end with FADE OUT:
-----The Screenwriters Bible