week 7 lecture notes

Character
- A story starts with character
- The character is the heart, the soul, and nervous system of your story.
- It is through your characters that the viewers experience emotions.
- It is through your characters that the viewers are touched.
- Without character, you have no action.
- Without action, you have no conflict.
- Without conflict, you have no story.
- Without story, you have no screenplay.

- When developing a character, ask yourself:
Who is my character?
What does he want?
What is her quest?
What drives him to the resolution of the story?

3 storytelling tools
- observation
- memory
- experience

Review (test)
-Aristotle’s storytelling theories
- 3 act structure
- developing 3 dimensional characters
– (difference between character’s psychology and interior)
- writing for an audience

week 6 lecture notes

Memory
Storytelling tool 2: memory
- Your memory is a wonderful cabinet of past incidents which you have experienced or been told.
- These memories are points of references to own past experiences.

Writing for an audience
- Screenwriter = storyteller
- the cinematic experience is not just made up of words you might put on paper, but the audiences’ emotional reaction to that information.
- it’s all about people to people.
- X: director to people, writer to people, camera to people.

What is the writer’s purpose?
To connect to:
- themselves
- their unique vision
- the material
- the drama
- others
- audiences want to be transported by a screenplay.

Where do you look for a story?
Inside yourself
- everything to learn about other people is already in you.
- now you need to figure out how to connect to it.

week 7 – music~

Since my story 1 in “true false story” has stir up people’s question on whether I can play piano or not, let me start today’s reflection with music!

 Since young, around pri 4, I’ve already been learning piano. But the initial decision on picking up piano was not my choice but my sis, because there’s this one day when we’re walking up the stairs to my grandma house when she heard the sound of piano coming from a house. Thus, she told my mum that she wanted to learn piano, and so that’s how I started picking up piano too. Haha.

But what’s ironic was that she quitted on grade 4 and left me alone to continue! Anyway she lost her interest and dreaded for piano class so much that when my mum inform our teacher that she wanted to quit, the teacher acutally said: ” oh? Good! I had a difficult time coaching her too.” Can you imagine that such a patient teacher would actually lose her patience too?! Haha!

And so, I began to love piano more and more as I continued learning. However, it was till early this year did I realise that piano has slowly becoming my burden. Lessons, assignments, dance, piano. I could find no way in coping so much. And thus my interest began to fade away as it turned to dislike. I dreaded waking up so early to attend lessons. It has been 2 years and I still haven’t move on from grade 6 to grade 7, and I’m beginning to lose patience. In the end, I decided to quit for the moment and take a break. Mum agreed to it immediately. Perhaps it was because she has seen how stressed I was, and perhaps she realise that I have more passion towards dance. And so she trusted me in making my own decision.

Till today, I still haven’t made up my decision on whether to go back to piano or not. I love piano, but not the learning process. You guys wouldn’t know how much practice and patience is needed. But anyway, I’m still keen on learning my favorite piece: Sonata in C major. Perhaps that will be one of my motivation to go back to piano one day. Whether you believe it or not, I really miss the touch of the piano keys~

Oh by the way, anyone interested in teaching me drums, hamonica, flute, violin, or electric guitar? Haha! Because since young, I’ve been keen in learning all kinds of intructments, but I know it wouldn’t be possible. But anyway, picking up these instructments would only be a hobby for me, as compared to my dearest piano. =)

This is the first musical I watched, Olive Twist, and that’s my favorite scene: Food, glorious food. Well, just to share with you guys! Enjoy!

cheers,
TING (^ ^)v

Reflection, photography~

As I was browsing through my folders of photos taken during the past few weeks of photography class, I realise that there wasn’t much photos that was considered sastifying. To me, photography is kind of tough; it takes you forever to get a single, sastified shot. And in this case, “patience” is the word! But I’m afraid I’m lack of this virtue, my bad! Haha. But nevertheless, I’m trying my best. But the thing is, I realise that I get easily agitated after every photography class because my eye hurts after trying to close one eye for about 2 to 3 hours and with the need to finish our assignment under the damn scorching sun, I just couldn’t contain my anger and frustration. So, I’m sorry, people! Ha!

Anyway, while I was searching pictures of pigeons for my poster design for Written Communication Final Project last semester, I found out this website, which I think everybody would know: www.flickr.com. Looks familiar? Yea right! That’s a website where many people would post and share their photos. Well, the good thing is that you’ll get to see quite a number of professional pictures and learn from them. However, the bad thing about it is that it’s really a huge network and thus, while you’ll get many sources of the pictures you want, you’ll never get away from getting pictures that are lousy and of bad quality, such as those which looks like it’s been taken down by a low megapixel handphone. Hmmm, maybe I’ll give that website a try some day when I have taken enough good photos, which I would consider, and then post it up for comments from the “web surfers”. =)

Alright, back to track. The damn camera is now beside me, inside my room. Curious about why? Let me tell you: it’s because I have to go around taking photos this weekend because of the graded assignment! But well oh well, I guess I really have to accept it and get a nice job done. And I really don’t think my work and party, which is going on this weekend, will be an excuse enough for me to procrastinate. But anyway, I don’t think I’ll have time and a chance to procrastinate, because once I miss and cannot finish my shooting this weekend, I’ll really be in for trouble because I can’t check out the camera again. So let’s hope everything goes fine this weekend!

Cheers,
TING (^ ^)v

Week 5 notes

Aristotle: Born in Stagirus, 384BC, Mytilene, Athens, died: Chalcis, 322BC
Aristotle’s Poetic = poetry : tragedy, comedy, epic verse.

Tragedy: an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pit and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions.

What is an example of a movie or a play that follows Aristotle’s definition of tragedy?
The passion of the Christ; The fantastic four: rise of the silver surfer.

6 parts of Aristotle tragedies:
1.) Plot: Arrangement of incidents.
It is not the story itself, but the way the incidents are presented to the audience
must be “whole”, with a beginning, climax, and resolution.
2.) Character: The protagonist (main character) should be renowned and wealthy/successful, in order for his luck to change from good to bad.
In the ideal tragedy, the protagonist will mistakenly bring about his won downfall- not because he is sinful or weak- but because he does not know enough.
3.) Thought
4.) Diction: The choice of using words which is appropriate to clearly express the plot, characters etc.
5.) Song and melody: The purpose is to contribute to the unity of the plot, not an interjection.
6.) Spectacle: The outer structure, which is usually the design of the stage mechanist rather than the poet himself.

Unity of action: Action that lead to each other must remain undisturbed

Episodic plot: quite literally where things happen in episodes. Storyline has highs and lulls in excitement value. Loosely connected parts or events.

Simple plot: involve a basic storyline, followed by a “change of fortune”
Complex plot: has a reversal of intention “peripeteia” and recognition “anagnorisis” connected with the catastrophe.

Katharsis: a form of emotional cleansing. When a character has an emotional epiphany, a coming to an awareness of and resolution and remaking of self.

Mimesis: Recreate life in a fake form.

Virtuous character: excellence is a choice and is not based on our habit. It also actually means the settled condition we are in when

Responsibility of characters:
1. characters are appropriate objects of moral praise and blame
- characters are used to show how good or bad the plot or acting is.
2. characters are supposed to be voluntary and our characters are the products of out actions

three act structure:
1. beginning : – dramatic situation
– introduce main characters
– end by an inciting incident
- must start the cause and effect chain.
2. middle : – “rising action”
– depicts the good guy (protagonist) attempting to solve the problems caused by the bad guy
- must be caused by earlier incidents and itself cause the incidents that follow it.
3. end : – resolution
– subplots
– Must be caused by the preceding events but not lead to other incidents.

anagnorisis: discovery
hamartia: tragedy flaw. What causes your character to go through their down fall.

Voices of Iraq

I watched this documentary called “Voices of Iraq” during Contemparary Issues class last week. Basically, the documentary was filmed by many people who were given the video camera to interview people around them. Therefore, the show covered places from the north to the south, and from the east to the west. To me, this documentary was really showing the true and genuine VOICES OF IRAQ.

Lots of thoughts and self reflections have been running through my mind since that show. The footage of Saddam Hussein’s army abusing their people was just too much. The brutality was not what I expect to see when our lecturer first warn us before the show. Cutting off of hands, beheading, exploding them alive, burying them alive and etc. And I believe that there is more to what the lowdown Saddam Hussein did.

I remembered watching this documentary in Discovery channel, where they tell the whole story of how Saddam Hussein was caught. And the interviewee who is narrating the whole story is the guy whole caught hold of him that very fateful night – an Iraqi as well, whose family was killed and ill-treated by Saddam Hussein too. Looking back, I remembered how he was caught- from an underground hole that is. Dirty and haggard he was, I was so happy to see how pathetic he was when he was caught. That was his retribution I guess.

I didn’t know that Iraqis just love America. Perhaps of the wrong message the news can bring across to its audience, I have all along been thinking that the Iraqis hated the Americans until that day where I watch this documentary. It was America who caught and prosecuted Saddam Hussein, it was America who revive Iraq, and it was America who helped to repair the damage in Iraq, such as power supply and education system.

Oh wait, oh my god, I think I’m speaking like an Iraqi now, do I? But nevertheless, this is what I really think and felt, and my heart really goes out to the Iraqis. Perhaps it’s the influence brought about by the grieves and sorrows the Iraqis voiced out in the video, and also perhaps, because Singapore went through this before – WWII. And I really can feel how Singapore felt in those years when the Americans stopped the war by the nuclear bomb, and when the British came back to aid Singapore in rebuilding our nation.

What I want to say is, cherish, people, for what we have today! =)
When drinking the water, give a thought to the spring.

Cheers,
TING (^ ^)v

I think that this week’s class…..

Alrights, Mr Ryan, I just hope that you wont penalise me due to my late submission of the lecture 1 posts. I thought that our lecture notes and reflections are to be posted as one. So I did only one post instead of 2. Forgive me ya? HAHA =)

Anyway, last lecture was quite confusing to me. It was all about conflicts in our stories, which, in another words, climax, Ryan meant, I think. It was confusing because I realise that in a certain movie, there can be many types of conflicts for one certain conflict. Confusing? Haha! Okay, take for an example, Spiderman. When spiderman was forced to make a decision between saving mary jane and the country, the conflict involve is Man against Man and Man against Self. And the same goes to what Mr Ryan said ” Conflict = change”. Take for an example, Wizard of the Oz. Throughout the movie, the main conflict, or climax, had brought about a change in locations, lives, and relationships! Yup, and I think it’s much more understandable now right? But well, maybe it onli works for me! Haha, because I’m slower you see. Hee (=

And also, when Mr Ryan was asking the class for examples of certain types of conflicts or changes, I realise that the class was repeating their answers. I understand that certain movies do have several types of conflicts or changes, but I thought that there could be other movies that can be mentioned instead. But well, maybe that certain movie is really so well recieved that everyone mentions it. Haha. Alrights, if you dont understand what I’m tryin to say, nevermind ya. HAHA! Because I also dont know how to put it across. Arghh. My english really do sucks. (= Got to polish up! Hee!

Oh ya, and lastly, I really got to say that Mr Ryan’s writing tips are really good. I sat in front of my desk for 2-3 hours without any neccessary break and I really managed to finish my short stories! I know it’s quite a long time to you guys, but I’m really one who’s not good at ideas and writing. Hohoho~

Cheers,
Ting (^ ^)v

Lecture 2 notes

The role of conflict

Conflict is the central feature of the screenplay.
- man against man
- man against environment
- man against self
It’s variations of sex, age, religion and culture which provide variety to the conflict.

Conflict = change
- change is common to everyone
- change is universal!
- bodies change
- seasons change
- lives change
- relationship change
- feelings change
- locations change
- technologies change

- as universal as change may be, people often resist it for fear of the unknown
-people must learn to cope with change if they want to survive.
- the action in drama depends on conflict.
worse conflict: character dies.

Conflict
- definition
- (opposition of persons or forces)
- it is the interaction of opposing ideas, interests, or wills, and creates the plot.
- plot cannot be constructed without conflict.
- as your characters attempt to reach their goals, they come into conflict with each other.
- the end of the story nears when the protagonist and antagonist approach their goals and the conflict rises to generate maximum suspense and excitement.

Lecture 1 notes

STORYTELLIN’ lect1

Assignments written in:
- Present tense |
- 3rd person e.g. she, he, ryan… |→ screenplays use this format
- visual voice |

Written vs Visual voice:

Written voice:
-uses weak verbs
-tells whats happening in the character’s head
-distant the reader from the reader
- EG: The sky is blue with a lot of white clouds.

Visual voice:
-uses strong action verbs
-shows the action
-uses the immediate sentence structure
-conveys the story in a lively manner
- EG: The sky is blue with a lot of DRIFTING white clouds.

Tip for writing:
- If you have a work in progress, never stop for the night if you’re stuck.
- Always solve the problem and keep going until you are in safer water. A good night’s sleep is important. Sleeping on problem is a myth.
- If you cant get started on a project, start writing anyway. To do this you have some words to type.
- It doesn’t matter what you write. You’ll soon begin to think and move in your own rhythm/pace.

lecture one…. and the “reflection” goes…

Alrites, now tell me that im not dreaming because im actually using wordpress!! Arghh~ And i suppose that we’re not supposed to use short forms or anything like “……” right? Okay, i think i get it. It’s a “module blog” afterall ya?

Storytelling. Hmmmm. I thought that storytelling is a module that requires us to tell story expressively. But it was last thursday then did I realise that im totally wrong! And I feel so stupid right now! Haha! Anyway, when Mr Ryan, (or just Ryan?) said that last thursday will be the only time that we’re going to talk about grammar, I was like “phew”. But the things that follow weren’t any better! We were told that we’re suppose to write all our assignments under three compulsory conditions, which is “present tense”, “3rd person” and “visual voice”, for the whole module! It didn’t look easy, and wasn’t easy! Why? Because we tried it with the “hula-girl” story, and it almost killed me! Take this sentence written by me for an example:

His heart then begins to pump as he starts to gulp his saliva down his throat.

Looks right? I beg to differ. I guess this isn’t in visual voice right? Yes, we’re writing narratives/stories, but reading and writing in present tense, and at the same time, not allowed to describe the characters’ inner emotions, aren’t an easy task at all. But afterall, I think I really do need time to get used to it because I suppose I know why we’re doing this. “Scripts” will the word, if Im not wrong, am I? Visual voice is a must in scripts if we want the audience to see and understand what we’re trying to put across. Even if it’s a character’s inner thoughts, it must be decribed, in the script, in a way that the actor or actress can act out so that audience can see.

And lastly, something I want to share that I think it really helps. It’s some writing tips by Mr Ryan that I think it really makes sense! Haha.

- If you have a work in progress, never stop for the night if you’re stuck.
- Always solve the problem and keep going until you are in safer water. A good night’s sleep is important. Sleeping on problem is a myth.
- If you can’t get started on a proj, start writing anyway. To do this you have some words to type.
- It doesn’t matter what you write. You’ll soon begin to think and move in your own rhythm/pace.

Doesn’t it makes sense?! These tips finally made me realise just what is wrong during my secondary school days where I can’t even get started on a few words of a composition until a few days before the due date when time became the motivation for me to start writing. Haha!

Alrights, on the whole, I still really did enjoy Storytelling although I think it’s going to be a hard time for me to write so much stories for the rest of the semester. But still, I’ll try my very best, just that I hope that lessons will be as fun as the previous one, (Haha! Oops) because fun lessons are always my main motivation. Of course, aboard studies is still my main aim too!

Openers. I’ve got to follow the writing tips and get started tomorrow night. I’m not procrastination again, because, look at the time! Haha. Last but not least, here’s something I want to share with everyone. It’s a quote on a bookmark which my secondary teacher gave it to me on O levels result collection day.

Procrastination is opportunity’s natural assassin.
- Victor Kiam

Heed the advise, people!

Signing off,
Ting (^ ^)V