Carrie-d Away

Week Six: Writing the Script

• Submit a script for your project
• Submit a storyboard for your project – can be viewed here: YMCA STORYBOARDS

The Audio/Visual Approach to scriptwriting is simplistic, traditional and structurally easy to follow. While the Narrative Approach might be better from the actor’s point of view, the Audio/Visual style seems that it would read more straightforward from a technical/camera point of view.

Shooting Location:  YMCA, Charleston & Teays Valley

Director(s):  Carrie Bowe

Title: “Find Your Why” 

Length: TBD

Week Five: Scene Descriptions

• Write a series of short scene descriptions
• Group scenes into acts and follow the percentage guidelines: 25% Act I, 50% Act II, 25% Act III)

Scene description is the second most important part of a script. While the dialogue is where the writer opens up and can explode with creativity, the scene description is where economy of language is most important…

…scene description sets up what the characters are doing physically, and how they interact with each other and their physical surroundings. Because the reader is trying to imagine the film the writer is telling, scene description should be lucid in description without being too detailed. Details tend to slow the reader, breaking the fluidity of the imagination (YankeeClassic.com).

Shooting Location:  YMCA, Charleston & Teays Valley

Director(s):  Carrie Bowe

Act I—Introduction

Scene 1—

Begin with GRAPHIC screen with YMCA logo and areas of focus: For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility. The CAMERA PANS OUT to show a facility shot.

VO: “Since 1907, the YMCA of Kanawha Valley has been dedicated to providing community service to our area…”

CAMERA fades in and out to a slideshow of facility photos and preview scene shots with VOICEOVER.

VO: “Now, more than ever, the YMCA has recommitted itself to our community. The YMCA has developed new initiatives and goals to revitalize the places we live, work and play. Now is the time to become a member of the YMCA of Kanawha Valley, there are so many reasons : to join, to volunteer to give—it’s time for you to find your reason why (Y).”

Act II—Meet the Characters

Scene 1— Adult woman & group of male and female children —For youth development

                      Woman as teacher; children in classroom setting

CAMERA CUTS TO a school/homework scene. Backpacks, papers and notebooks are visible with a clear look of school work involved. The woman moves about the room, bending and kneeling beside children who raise their hands for assistance. The children go about various tasks—some reading, some writing, some with calculators, etc. The woman is very bright and cheerful; the children are receptive and attentive. Scene is continued with VOICEOVER.

VO: “We believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for life. Because of the Y, more young people in neighborhoods around the nation are taking a greater interest in learning and making smarter life choices. At the Y, children and teens learn values and positive behaviors, and can explore their unique talents and interests, helping them realize their potential. That makes for confident kids today and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.”

CAMERA CUTS TO a “Why I volunteer” and GRAPHIC “Childcare, Education & Leadership, Swim, Sports & Play and Camps.”

CAMERA CUTS TO same woman facing the camera, smiling says, “For youth development”.

Scene 2— Two women—“For healthy living”

            Gym scene; gym clothes

CAMERA CUTS TO a fitness scene with two women, side by side on treadmills. Both are clearly involved in good conversation, smiling, laughing and working out with VOICEOVER.

VO: “Being healthy means more than simply being physically active. It’s about maintaining a balanced spirit, mind and body. The Y is a place where you can work toward that balance by challenging yourself to learn a new skill or hobby, fostering connections with friends through our lifelong learning programs, or bringing your loved ones closer together through our many family-centered activities. At the Y, it’s not about the activity you choose as much as it is about the benefits of living healthier on the inside as well as the outside.”

CAMERA CUTS TO a “Why I joined” GRAPHIC “Family time, health, well-being & fitness, sports & recreation and group interests.”

CAMERA CUTS TO same women facing the camera, smiling and saying simultaneously, “For healthy living”.

Scene 3—Older adult man in a suit and a sports team of teens, both male and female —For social responsibility

CAMERA CUTS TO a gym scene in the background with the group of children/teens, and business man in the foreground. CAMERA PANS TO teens playing basketball on the court below with the man watching and cheering them on with VOICEOVER.

VO: “We know that when we work as one, we move people and communities forward. That’s why we are committed to providing support to our neighbors and opportunities for kids, adults and families to give, join in or advocate in the name of stronger communities.”

CAMERA CUTS TO a “Why I give” and GRAPHIC “Social services, Global services, Volunteerism & Giving and Advocacy.”

CAMERA CUTS TO same man facing the camera, smiling and says, “For social responsibility”.

Act III—Conclusion/Call to Action

Scene 1—

CAMERA CUTS TO a GRAPHIC screen with YMCA logo and areas of focus: For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility and site: ymcawv.org

VO: What will your reason be?

CAMERA CUTS TO half-screen YMCA facility scene with President John Giroir [or familiar, available talent]  and half-screen GRAPHIC with YMCA logo and areas of focus: For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility and site: ymcawv.org

JG: “Visit: ymcawv.org to find your reason why”.