This document provides guidance on developing a video script by outlining key elements of screenplays and storytelling techniques. It discusses that screenplays are instruction manuals that include dialogue, character descriptions, and setting details. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from other sources. For video scripts, the story must be told visually through what the audience sees and hears rather than just describing. Good scripts are typically between 95-125 pages. The document then asks questions about elements of a good story like unpredictability, interesting characters, and conflict before offering techniques for developing original story ideas like changing elements of existing stories or posing "what if" scenarios.

2. (TEKS 11ci & 11cii)The student is expected to:
-Identify the key elements required in video
scripts.
-Apply writing skills to develop a video script.

3.  A screenplay is an instructional
manual for the production of a film
including dialogue and descriptions
of characters, action, and sets.

4.  Screenplays can be original works
(original screenplay) or adaptations
from existing pieces of writing
(adapted screenplay).
 An adapted screenplay may be
based on a book, play, poem, etc.

5.  Film and video are visual
mediums.You don’t tell the
story, you show the story.
 You must learn to write a
screenplayVISUALLY.Write
what they will SEE and what
they will HEAR.

6.  The average feature screenplay,
traditionally, is between 95 and
125 pages long.
 In Hollywood these days scripts
generally don't run longer than 114
pages. Comedy scripts are
typically shorter, dramas longer.

8.  What makes a good story?
 Does the story need to be unpredictable?
 How important are interesting characters to a
good screenplay?
 How important is conflict in a film?
 How do we, as filmmakers, come up with
ideas for movies.
 Let’s learn a little about screenwriting from
Film Riot and Full Sail University.

9. Lets look at some way of coming up with story ideas…

10.  Take an existing story and change it up
 Change the gender of the main character –
male/female/other
 Change the location of the story – earth to
space/space to under the sea
 Change the time period of the story 1800s to
2300s
 Die Hard becomes the ChannelTunnel story

11.  Take an existing story and change it up
 Change the gender of the main character –
male/female/other
 Change the location of the story – earth to
space/space to under the sea
 Change the time period of the story 1800s to
2300s
 In your production teams, select a story and
change it up. Be prepared to share you new
story.

12.  Ask the question “What if…?”
 The Demon Pool
 What if the legend of the Fountain ofYouth was
not due the magical properties of the water, but
the result of a powerful demon who, when he
possessed someone, could keep them alive for
130, 140, 150 years; but, he always returned the to
the pool before they died. He was afraid of being
dispossessed in the air and being sent to “the pit”
– the place where the worst of the demons are
being held for final judgement.

13.  Ask the question “What if…?”
 Come up with an original “What if…?” story
idea.
 Write out your story idea and be prepared to
share it with the class.