Film 33: Introductory Screenwriting Week 6 - Screenplay Page ✓ Solved

Film 33 Introductory Screenwriting Week 6: SCREENPLAY PAGES

The Screenplay Pages assignment is the first 10 pages of your script. Learn from the feedback your TA gave on the week 4 assignment, and make sure you adhere to the industry standard for professional looking screenplays. While it’s entirely up to you what you write, we recommend that you craft a Set-Up sequence that fills all 10 pages and ends with a scene containing your Inciting Incident. You’ll want your protagonist to receive the Call to Action, and then respond by rejecting it or postponing the decision.

Typically, you’ll want to introduce your antagonist too, but if setting up your protagonist requires the entire sequence, then all else can wait. Make absolutely sure we care about your main character, so that audiences will want to spend the next hour and more to follow his/her journey. The key to successful screenplays are irresistible protagonists. Look to your TA's Webcam Post for further guidelines.

Paper For Above Instructions

Title: A New Dawn

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Screenplay Pages 1-10

FADE IN:

EXT. DESOLATE LANDSCAPE - DAWN

A barren earth stretches infinitely, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. Scattered remnants of humanity's failed attempts to inhabit this alien planet dot the landscape: rusting machines, crumbled structures, and faded holographic signs flickering in the faint light.

NARRATOR (V.O.)

In a time when the earth was abandoned, hope was a distant memory...

CUT TO:

EXT. ABANDONED OUTPOST - CONTINUOUS

We PAN TO a crumbling outpost station. A solitary figure stands atop its dilapidated roof, shielding his eyes from the rising sun. This is JASPER (30s), rugged yet undeniably charismatic, with a determined glint in his eyes.

JASPER

There has to be something left...

INT. ABANDONED OUTPOST - MOMENTS LATER

Jasper climbs down, stepping carefully over shards of glass and twisted metal. His gaze wanders over the ancient equipment, searching for any remnants of the past that could help him.

CLOSE ON: a flickering SCREEN, a holographic map of the Earth showing the last known locations of human outposts.

JASPER (CONT'D)

(to himself)

What happened to us?

Suddenly, an ALARM BELLS blares, echoing through the outpost. Jasper's heart races as he scans the area for the source of the sound.

CUT TO: The ground trembles subtly. Jasper grips the console tightly, his breath hitching.

JASPER

Maybe it's just the wind...

EXT. OUTPOST - MOMENTS LATER

He rushes outside, looking up at the wide expanse of sky, filled with ominous storm clouds.

HIS P.O.V.: The horizon begins to shift; shadows converge, forming an ENORMOUS FLYING SHIP, its dark surface glistening ominously.

JASPER

(a mix of fear and curiosity)

What is that?

INT. FLYING SHIP - CONTROL ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Inside the ship, a FIGURE sits in the cockpit, manipulating controls with deft movements. This is LANA (30s), a calculating yet empathetic leader, her eyes focused on the outpost.

LANA

(to her crew)

We need to find survivors. Set course for the signal.

EXT. OUTPOST - CONTINUOUS

Back at the outpost, Jasper's eyes widen as the ship hovers overhead, casting an enormous shadow. He squints, observing it closely.

JASPER

(to himself)

This could be my chance...

A DISTANT EXPLOSION rips through the air, and the land shakes violently. Jasper stumbles back, hardly maintaining his balance.

What was that? Fear turns to determination.

CLOSE ON: Jasper’s face, fierce resolve taking over as he realizes he must act.

JASPER (CONT'D)

No... I can't ignore this call.

EXT. OUTPOST - MOMENTS LATER

Jasper stands firm as the ship begins to descend. His heart pounds in his chest, every instinct screaming to run yet every fiber in his being urging him to stay. The ship lands, sending ripples of dust and debris through the air.

As its hatch opens, a ROBOTIC GUARD steps out, scanning for threats.

JASPER

(leans forward, breathless) Who are you?

ROBOTIC GUARD

The designated rescue team. Identify yourself!

JASPER

(defiantly) I'm all that's left.

INT. FLYING SHIP - MOMENTS LATER

Jasper moves into the ship, curiosity overpowering fear. Inside, technology hums gently, screens flicker with data, and LANA watches him approach.

LANA

Welcome aboard. We’ve been searching for you.

JASPER

Why? What do you want?

LANA

To save humanity.

FADE OUT.

References

  • McKee, R. (1997). Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting. HarperCollins.
  • Field, B. (2005). Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. Delta.
  • Truby, J. (2007). The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller. Faber & Faber.
  • Save the Cat! Screenwriting Software. (n.d.). Retrieved from savethecat.com
  • The Writers Guild of America. (n.d.). Screenwriting Credits. Retrieved from wga.org
  • Shapiro, J. (2010). The Art of Dramatic Writing. Penguin Books.
  • Seger, L. (1995). Making a Good Script Great. Samuel French, Inc.
  • Kahn, S. (2011). The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. Michael Wiese Productions.
  • Roberts, D. (1999). Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting. Perigee Books.
  • Orci, A. & Kurtzman, R. (2018). The Art of the Screenplay. Penguin Random House.

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