Unit 22: M1 - Conventions of the script

Explain the conventions used in the formatting and layout of the script 

Protagonist Character

 The protagonist character in my script is a teenage student named Grace. She acts as an audience appeal to the young female audience as they can identify with her vulnerability. The audience will therefore start to like Grace and will feel sorry for her whilst she undergoes her therapy and relives the distressing night.

Antagonist Character 

 The antagonist is a middle aged, male kidnapper. This character has a shocking physical appears due to his dark costume and scar and acts as a catalyst for the scary plot line. The audience are introduced to his violently shouting voice first, making him appear as mysterious and threatening. 

Plot points

Beginning - Grace is begins therapy to relive her kidnapping
Middle - she notices some recognisable features such as his scar to help identify him
End - she realises she can't return to the therapy as it was all in her head and she never escaped her kidnapper


Order of events
 The order of events in my script are given in each screen heading. In the screen headings given, the location and time of day is present but i haven't made it too descriptive. This is common in scripts as it allows the director to have order guidelines but still has gives the freedom to present each event how they'd like.




Actions

 I have used a selection of actions that differ. Some are very descriptive to explain exactly what action should take place and when it takes place.

Others are less descriptive and how they are presented is up to the interpretation of the director.

Parenthetical

I have used parenthetical throughout my script to help guide actors on how to deliver their lines. They demonstrate some of the emotions I want the actors to bring to the characters.

Extensions

I used extensions to denote how the kidnapper's voice will be heard. He will be heard off screen as he's walking behind Grace is the second scene which adds a once of mystery to his character.


Transitions
 My script consists mainly of transitions such as FADE TO:. I have used these to show how I want each scene to transition to and from the next. 

Title Page

Dialogue

This is an example of dialogue within the script, just after Grace has returned to therapy after hearing her kidnapper's voice again for the first time.
I have used nurturing language within the Therapist's speech to highlight her as a caring character. Grace's speed, on the other hand, is more frantic as she's in a state of panic and i wanted to reflect this through the repetition of asking 'why?'. Both of the characters have fairly informal language as the situation is distressing and there is it is more relevant for the Therapist to seem comforting that professional.


Format

In my script I have used the standard format of script. Dialogue is positioned more centrally on the page and spread across the whole page. As well as this the scene headings are positioned in the top left corner. I have used this as it makes it easy for the director and actors to easily distinguish between dialogue and actions.

Sluglines
I have used sluglines to give guidelines to where each scene should take place and what time of day it should take place.

Timings
 Each page is roughly about one- one and a half minutes long.