Movie Script Proposal Assignment

 

From the syllabus:

Movie Script Proposal - Each student will create a written proposal of an idea for a 7 to 10 minute,
wide-screen, color movie. This proposal should include a narrative treatment, a scene breakdown,
and a script. This document should be 9 to 12 pages in length (script takes up most of this). Each
student will present his/her proposal to the class as a logline. Proposals will be evaluated for
creativity, workability, and completeness. Make sure that the idea of the film presents a clear
dramatic conflict, interesting characters, and a theme that is reflective of a Christian worldview (no
zombies/vampires, graphic violence, or sexuality). All scripts will be considered by the professor for
later production. Four to five scripts will be selected for the group film projects.

 

Specifics:

 

  1. Beginning paragraph should include title of movie, general theme or purpose, and the expected audience demographic for film. This can be a comedy or drama.
  2. The narrative treatment (synopsis) is a prose version of the story.  No dialogue is included with this.  The treatment would be 1 page in length, single-spaced, for a 7-10 minute film. 
  3. The scene breakdown or schematic lists all scenes.  Under each scene include a description of the location, characters involved, interior or exterior, time of day, and any special features or actions that are appropriate. Keep this in list format - not paragragh. In other words, this is a quick overview of the scenes in the script - one to one and a half pages.
  4. The script portion of the proposal is to be written in screenplay format.  Write the action and dialogue for the entire movie.  This section would be 7 to 10 pages in length.  Make sure to follow script format exactly. Use Celtx, if you like.
  5. All together, your proposal would be 10 to 12 pages - most of it script. Everything should be original work. Printout your proposal and script and bring to class on day due.
  6. If you create a script idea that requies thousands of dollars, amazing special effects, and scores of actors/extras, then you have missed the point of this assignment. Come up with a usable idea that a group in the class can complete during this semester.

 

No budget information is requested at this time.  Turn in by deadline – February 21.  NO PROPOSALS WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE. IF YOU MISS THE DEADLINE, YOU RECEIVE A ZERO. Sorry about the tough love, but we have to stay on schedule for this project.

 

Didn't take Scriptwriting class? Click here for film script formatting.

 

Celtx is a free program that can be downloaded from www.celtx.com. Use the various script categories (character, scene, action, etc.) to help format your script properly. Every change in time or location is a new scene. Celtx will only output PDF files, so you may need to create your script as a separate document from the proposal.

 

Evaluation of this assignment is based on:

1. Did the student follow the directions of the assignment?

2. Did the script have proper film-style formatting?

3. Was the idea original and appropriate for an Evangel audience?

4. Was there sufficient information in the proposal to help decide if the film is a viable project?