PRE-PRODUCTION; MAINSTREAM WRITER RESEARCH

Before i begin to write/formulate a script for our idea, it is useful for me to look at particular writers and their works, looking at how they write and at any tips they may give that i can use when writing.

Aaron Guzikowski

Firstly, i would like to look at the writer of 2013 dark thriller film Prisoners. This isn't a film that focuses too much on the themes of trauma and mental health that I am looking at, but it is quite a complex narrative and dark film that i think it would be interesting for me to look at the writer. Guzikowki began writing the script in 2007, and completed the final draft in 2009, once sold to the production company it got stuck in development until its eventual release in 2013.

- He thought when he wrote it that it was too dark to sell, let alone even be made
- As it was his first film that he had wrote that had been developed, the caliber of people involved (such as Hugh Jackman) was amazing
- He was very sure of himself in terms of what he wanted to stay in the script, certain aspects were pressured to take them out because they were too dark or too intense
- Some of the plot points were questioned, for example when the killer is revealed, she is almost instantly killed, which is rare in terms of lacking the dialogue with the killer as we know it, he notes how in his head when writing it was 'get the girl' the dad would have wanted to just do whatever he needed to do to save his daughter, he didn't need to have any long conversations.
The most interesting thing about the writing in this for me, is sometimes the lack of dialogue, i like the fact that their are many scenes that are more subtle drama and action, with very few words. It builds the tension and makes it a lot more interesting. This is something I think is really effective and this stems from Guzikowki's experience as a 'visual storyteller', using pictures to tell a story rather than lots of heavy dialogue. The very last scene in particular shows the detective stands at the crime scene, he almost appears looking satisfied because the case is solved, but in the very last moment you hear a sigh from underground, meaning there is more to the story.

M. Night Shyamalan

The next writer that I am looking at is M. Night Shyamalan, there are multiple reasons why I have researched Shyamalan, this includes the fact that a lot of his films he normally directs, produces, writes and sometimes even appears in. This multiple role is something that is seen a lot more in recent times so it is helpful for me, as a writer and producer, to research this as well. His most recent release is Split (2016) starring James McAvoy. The focus of the film is around McAvoy's character Kevin, he is diagnosed with having multiple personality disorder and the narrative is around how these multiple personalities differ and affect the characters life. There are many distinct ways that Shyamalan writes, as well as certain process he takes before, during and after.

- Every film he writes he likes to have many plot twist, but usually one toward the end that you never predict and always shocks the audience as well as building the tension; for example in The Visit the grandparents turn out to be dead with imposters pretending to be them for the entire film and in Split where at the end a character from Unbreakable (one of Shyamalan's films from a long time ago) linking them together making Split a sequel
- His actual writing process begins with months of outlining, getting to grips with how the characters and the story before setting himself down to complete the script
- Shyamalan has a notebook with him a lot, and the way his stories start are usually from a visual scene or a character that he thinks of, he will then develop a film or narrative from these ideas
- In order to make sure he was being factually correct in writing mental health issues into Split, Shyamalan met with therapists and he put them into extreme scenarios and discussed with them what their reactions would be, he read many books written by psychologists and mental health experts to make sure he was correct in everything he put in to the script

I really enjoy Shyamalan's films mainly because of the plot twists that are delivered, i really enjoy the shocks created and i don't think there is anything more thrilling for an audience than to be shocked. If there is anything i will be taking from Shyamalan's work it is this.

Tips for writing a short film;

I have also watched a few videos on youtube around script writing and i have summarised the key points that i have found from these

1 - Start it; so many people struggle to start with an opening and it never gets started, get something to paper and got through rewrites and rewrites until you get to your finished project
2- Keep it short for a short film; means that you don't end up putting in dialogue that doesn't add anything to the story
3 - Bare in mind the budget when driving, IE don't plan to film in a place that you know costs a lot of money to film in
4 - Bring in a theme for the story, make sure their is a meaning to what you are writing that the audience can take away from the story
5 - Write something you know about it; RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH
6 - Make the films unique
7 - Take your time with the writing and the research