Research Into Screenplay

Research Into Screenplay

In order for the script used within the opening sequence to become a success, I looked at various other existing scripts and put them together to create an entirely new opening sequence idea. The dialogue and setting is key to create an authentic and successful opening sequence as it determines whether the audience will continue to watch the film. The screenplay is not only for the dialogue used within the film, other aspects such as mise-en-scene, sound and the setting are also shown in more depth in order to make the audience engage with the sequence. Before writing the final copy of my group's opening sequence screenplay, I created this new opening sequence consisting of the opening sequences of three existing films: Se7en, Paranormal Activity and The Grudge. These films are all of a thriller/horror/mystery genre which makes it appropriate for my own opening sequence as our group were also looking to achieve a successful sequence within these genres. In order to develop my understanding of script writing and the detail that goes into creating dialogue and settings for each scene, I constructed this new screenplay to understand the processes needed to create a script and the various aspects needed in order to make it successful. Below is a copy of the new script I had created with the three films Se7en, Paranormal activity and The Grudge. 

Key:

Se7en 

Paranormal Activity

The Grudge

EXT. OLD HOUSE - DAY

Sunlight comes through the soot on the windows, more brown than bright. SOMERSET, 45, in a suit and tie, stands in this empty second-story room. He looks around, at the ceiling, at the worn wooden floor, at the peeling wallpaper on the walls.

Birds sing. Somerset stands, pondering the forested landscape.

SOMERSET

Everything here still seems… seems so

strange to me. All this.

MAN’S VOICE (O.S.)

Is something wrong?

Somerset still seems distant.

MAN

(writes receipt)

Not that it’s any of my business… but,

Are you figuring on moving out here

Eventually?

SOMERSET

I don’t know…

Somerset looks back at the house.

Later that night, a faint banging noise is heard.

INT. OLD HOUSE – DAY

Somerset walks to one wall where the current wallpaper is peeled away to reveal flowery wallpaper underneath. He runs his finger across one of the pale red roses that decorates the older paper. He pushes the grime away, brings the rose out more clearly.

MARIA

Hey. Are you okay?

SOMERSET

I just bought a seven hundred

dollar camera to find out what’s

making those weird noises at night.

He pauses at the window. Turns his head to look back at her. His eyes are vacant. His face is a blank.

The white church cross on the church steeple stands against the blue sky. The church bell rings, resonating.