The Expanded Screenplay Profile Assignment Is A Two-Page ✓ Solved
The Expanded Screenplay Profile assignment is a two page
The Expanded Screenplay Profile assignment is a two page, double-spaced presentation of your story. Rewrite your profile from week 3 and dig deeper for greater detail. To craft an effective Set-Up sequence (the first 10 pages), it is crucial to know where your story is headed and how it ends. It is here you establish what the protagonist struggles with, which is ultimately what the film is about solving. Or as in tragedies, succumbing to.
Don’t be afraid of unhappy endings. Many memorable films end poorly for the main character. This two-page profile is sufficient to inform next week’s final assignment, but if you decide to finish your screenplay after this course, we advise you to write a treatment first. That is a document that contains all scenes with the necessary information, and it typically amounts to 8-20 pages or more. This treatment is not a required part of this assignment, and you do not need to submit it.
As you now expand your profile, if you feel that it’s difficult to know how the story goes before you write it, don’t worry. It’s a common issue for novice writers. With experience, you’ll get better. Generally, the more you know about the story before you begin, the better you’ll write. Look to your TA's Webcam Post for further guidelines.
Paper For Above Instructions
The screenwriting journey is a complex yet rewarding endeavor that begins with comprehending the depth of the story one is willing to tell. For this expanded screenplay profile, I will delve deeply into the narrative arc, the emotional stakes reminiscent of protagonists faced with significant struggles, and illustrate how these elements cohesively fit into the intended themes. The focus, in particular, will revolve around the anguish and redemption of a character named Alex, who wrestles with his past decisions while navigating contemporary challenges.
Title: Between Shadows and Light
Genre: Drama
Logline: A dysfunctional artist returns to his hometown to reclaim his past and finds that grappling with the ghosts of his memories may lead to not just an artistic revival but also an emotional reckoning.
Protagonist: Alex Morgan, a once-renowned painter whose mental health struggles led him to abandon his career. Now in his late thirties, he battles depression and addiction, making him an unreliable narrator of his life’s story. Alex's main struggle is to seek reconciliation with both his fraught past and the people he hurt.
Set-Up Sequence: The first ten pages will introduce Alex as he confronts his former life after years away from his hometown. The set-up reveals a world steeped in memories, both beautiful and haunting. The settings juxtapose the vibrant landscapes of his past with the muted tones of his current life, symbolizing the dichotomy within Alex himself. He visits key locations, triggering memories that propel the narrative forward. Each location—his childhood home, his former art gallery, and the local bar where he lost touch with himself—serves as a potent reminder of who he was and who he has become.
As Alex navigates these spaces, he encounters figures from his past, each representing a fragment of his identity that he struggles to reclaim. For example, he meets Emma, his first love, who has moved on but still embodies the innocence of his youth. Their interaction is charged with nostalgia but also an undercurrent of unresolved tension. Emma serves as a reminder of the potential futures Alex ruined through his self-destructive habits.
The narrative must convey Alex’s internal dialogue, replete with self-loathing and fleeting hope, allowing the audience to empathize with his plight. Importantly, the screenplay will explore the theme of personal redemption through forging genuine connections and understanding one’s past. The protagonist’s journey isn't just about returning home but confronting the internal shadows that have long haunted him.
Thematic Elements: Central themes will revolve around the concepts of memory, redemption, and the impact of choices. Much of the film’s emotional weight will rely on Alex's reflections, showcasing the tangible consequences of unaddressed mental health issues. Unhappy endings are woven into the tapestry of the narrative as it becomes clear that redemption does not always equate to happiness. Instead, the struggle itself may serve as a means to growth, with Alex perhaps finding solace in acceptance rather than resolution.
Conflict: The primary conflict arises from Alex’s struggle with his addiction and the antagonistic role that their memories play in his life. His past choices manifest as an intangible force that constantly reminds him of his failures. This conflict will escalate as the narrative progresses, forcing Alex to choose between confronting his demons or succumbing to them, exemplifying the age-old battle between light and dark within the human experience.
Furthermore, external conflicts will arise as Alex attempts to gain acceptance from his family and community, who have largely distanced themselves due to his previous actions. This layered conflict ensures a robust emotional context that reflects real-world issues of estrangement, loyalty, and the challenge of rebuilding one’s life after trauma.
As Alex continues his journey, he comes into contact with local artists facing their own struggles. These interactions provide opportunities for him to gain perspective, forcing him to reconsider his approach to life and art. The choices of secondary characters will serve to mirror or contrast Alex's struggles, enriching the narrative with diverse viewpoints on art, suffering, and healing.
Conclusion: By the end of the set-up sequence, the audience should have a firm understanding of Alex’s character and the stakes involved. The screenplay will not shy away from the harsher realities of life, offering a poignant look at the burden of regret and the arduous journey toward healing. This expanded screenplay profile sets the groundwork for a deeply emotional narrative driven by a compelling protagonist who embodies the conflict between shadows of the past and the glimmers of potential light ahead.
References
- Field, S. (2005). Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. Delta.
- McKee, R. (1997). Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting. HarperCollins.
- Syd Field, H. (2008). The Definitive Guide to Screenwriting. The Writer's Digest.
- Aristotle (1996). Poetics. Penguin Classics.
- Hauge, M. (2003). Writing Screenplays That Sell. HarperCollins.
- Katz, S. (1991). Writing the Screenplay: A Practical Guide from Concept to Finished Script. Longman.
- Blake Snyder (2005). Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need. Michael Wiese Productions.
- Chion, M. (1994). Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen. Columbia University Press.
- King, S. (2000). On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Scribner.
- McKee, R. (2003). Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen. HarperCollins.