Freewrite Assignment #2

As I mentioned in class, you have three options for the next freewrite assignment, due on Wednesday, February 28.

Option 1:
Write this assignment according to the same guidelines as you wrote the last one. You can review those guidelines in the Class Policies:
http://2007stocktonscreenplay.blogspot.com/2007/01/class-policies.html

Since the film differs greatly from the book, don’t just list the changes but be sure to ask questions of genre transformations and tonal shifts, since that contributes to the decision making process.

This should be roughly 3-4 pages in the format outlined on the syllabus (1.5 spacing, Times or other serif font, etc.)

Option 2:
Construct a new scene for Blade Runner (the movie, not the screenplay) that fits seamlessly into the story. You don’t have to construct one sequence that takes place at one moment of the movie but can scatter your scenes throughout the film. You can also change bits of the story to fit your new scenes if you have to, but nothing more than a few details. Don’t rewrite any of the movie, and sure to base some of your material on unused portions of Androids.

This has to be in proper screenplay form – review these matters in the Syd Field book and in use our print-outs as reference. Review all materials concerning scene/sequence construction in Screenplay as well, especially regarding context/content and how much information a scene provides. Remember that scenes can be incredibly short – a simple long shot, for example, of a person walking down the street.

Remember that your scenes must also conform to the three act structure. I.e. scenes in the first act must contribute to the set-up, scenes in the second to the series of conflicts that the characters undergo, and scenes in the third act to the resolution of the conflicts.

Also, characters that appear in your scene who are also in the movie must share the same speaking style – i.e. if your character is prone to witty, dark humor, then you have to write new lines that fit stylistically (though, of course, you should also introduce new elements to the character, telling us a little more about them).

This should be roughly 5-7 pages of material, but can be longer if you need that amount.

Option 3:
Write a new three-act structure for a new feature film that uses material in Androids that does not appear in the film. Use Isidore as the main character, though you can of course include as major characters figures that appear in the film (Deckard, Rachel, Roy Batty, etc.) However, these characters must be transformed accordingly for your new story.

As I noted with “The Nose” assignment, your third acts seemed to be the weakest to the degree that the conflicts set-up in the earlier parts of your films were not resolved. Major characters simply dropped away, or you rushed to get to the “message” of you film without really ending the story. So be clear in your mind how you want your characters lives to have been changed by the events of the films – every strong character must have some identifiable transformation to have occurred. What do you want the audience to walk away feeling?

Also, remember other issues such as backstory, the context of the events, the genre of the film, etc. Don't worry about budget and that other stuff, this is not a production group assignment.

This should be roughly 3-4 pages in the format outlined on the syllabus (1.5 spacing, Times or other serif font, etc.)