Planning

 

1) Write a 100 word statement of intent explaining what you are going to make for your preliminary exercise.

Statement of intent: 100 words explaining what you plan to make.

Example statement of intent [133 words]: 

I plan to make a 45-second TV drama scene for a show called Connection. This is a fantasy drama about a young school student, Alex, who has mysterious powers. This scene will be the moment the student is chased by the show's other main character, Ryan, before Alex admits she has these powers and the dangers that they are facing. 

Both characters will be dressed casually as London students and the chase will take place in Fresh Mill Lane alongside school. I will film the whole chase several times and use a variety of camera shots and movements - particularly wide shots and low-angle medium shots - so I can create a fast-paced, dramatic chase when editing. There will be a low, tense non-diegetic soundtrack playing behind the conversation to add atmosphere to the scene. [133 words]

2) Write a script for your preliminary exercise on your blog. This needs to include stage directions AND dialogue. To see how a TV drama script is presented, and to look at professional examples, check out the BBC Writers' Room and click on Script Library.

3) Casting: Who will be in your preliminary exercise scene?

4) Plan your locations: Where you will film your preliminary exercise? (You can film off-site if you wish to do this for homework - this is what we would strongly recommend). Important note: You CANNOT take any students out of any other lessons OR disturb any other lessons in the school. If you wish to film in-school then you will need to film with Mr Harrison supervising or after school with a Media teacher present. 

5) Write your shot list: every shot you plan to film. This needs to be far MORE shots than you will actually use in the final edited version - plan extra angles, close-ups, long shots and more. You can find an example shot list here.