Screenplay Analysis – Due in 2 weeks (March 18)
all 20 of the following questions, type your answers, always explain the reasoning behind your answers and provide examples when appropriate:
- Describe the premise of the screenplay in a brief logline. This logline should be original — do not use one you find online. Keep it between 1 – 3 sentences. We should learn the protagonist, her/his objective, what’s at stake and we should get a sense of theme and genre from the logline.
- (Worth 5 points) Describe the main characters in the story (age, occupation, defining characteristics.) What does each character want to accomplish? What are his/her obstacles? What’s at stake for each character?
- Who is the protagonist? Why do you think this character is the protagonist?
- Describe the protagonist’s character arc — Who is he/she in the beginning? Who does he/she become? Preferably, use examples to back up your answer.
- (Worth 6 points) You only need to answer up through “Pinch” but can answer the rest if you want. If you attempt to organize the script into a three-act structure, what events could be considered:
- Catalyst
- Big Event (plot point 1)
- Pinch
- Crisis
- Showdown
- Realization
- List three given circumstances established in the story. List three things open to the reader’s/director’s interpretation.
- Are the rules of the universe (i.e., elephants can fly) established early on? Describe three rules.
- Is there a specific tone (i.e., permission to laugh in a comedy) established early on? Give an example to illustrate your point.
- What is the screenplay’s spine articulated as a super-objective?
- What is the screenplay’s spine articulated as either a metaphor or image?
- What is the screenplay’s message?
- (6 points) Outline at least six stages of the hero’s journey within the script.
- List three characters each of whom, at least sometimes, functions as a mentor. Briefly explain why. (Refer to Hero’s Journey.)
- List a character who functions as either a threshold guardian, herald, shapeshifter, shadow or trickster and explain why. (Refer to Hero’s Journey.)
- Describe three plants and their payoffs in the script.
- A motif is a repeated idea, pattern, image or theme. Describe a motif developed throughout the script. What does it symbolize? When does it occur? Does it change or take on a new meaning as the story progresses?
- Is the story open-ended or are all loose ends tied up? If there are loose ends, describe them.
- Does the screenplay play with structure or genre conventions? Is there something atypical such as an unlikable protagonist, a passive main character or a surprise ending that is not typical for the genre?
- Describe at least three ways/instances when the film departs from the screenplay.
- Describe three ways the screenplay departs from the true story it was based on.
