Screenplay Techniques: A Guide to Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production
The Screenplay: Literary and Technical Aspects
The screenplay is what we see and hear, giving literary shape to the story, setting the content, and determining the aesthetics. It’s structured by literary sequences, numbered and placed in temporal order. Each sequence indicates the location of the action, whether interior or exterior.
Screenplay Technique: The Breakdown
The screenplay technique is the script written transcript of the images and sounds as shown on the screen. It’s a technical breakdown of each scene, specifying actor behavior, camera details (lighting, effects, etc.), and the soundtrack.
Key Screenplay Elements
- Plans: Each sequence specifies literary plans, with technical details for recording, placed consecutively and numbered.
- Location and Time Elements: Each plan, or sequence, details filming conditions (indoors/outdoors) and day/night effects.
- The Camera: The camera position, viewpoint, plan type, and other framing details are clearly stated.
- Action: The action in each plan is described synthetically, specifying character movement within the frame and outside of the camera.
- Banda Music: The soundtrack is listed in a separate column, including dialogue, music, sound effects, and environmental sounds.
The Storyboard: Visualizing the Script
The storyboard is the ultimate expression of the screenplay, a graphic representation of the script. It consists of drawings in the form of vignettes that represent sequences, sometimes even individual plans. It’s a useful tool for pre-production, defining all elements involved in recording and facilitating communication between different professionals.
Production Phases: Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production
Pre-Production
Pre-production involves scenario planning, location scouting, casting, and preparing technical infrastructure (lighting, sound, and sets). It’s a crucial phase for planning and organization, affecting the overall economy of the project.
Production
Production is the shooting stage, involving staging, direction, and actor performance. The director has the primary responsibility, while the production team tracks progress against the work plan.
Post-Production
Post-production involves editing images, sound mixing, and finalizing the project. The executive producer closes the accounts and reviews the outcome of the planning stages.
Team of Professionals Involved
Pre-Production Team
- Head of Production Area: Oversees the project and delegates responsibilities.
- Production Manager: Makes content decisions.
- Production Team: Coordinates human and material resources.
- Writer(s): Develops the script.
Production Team
- Director: Responsible for language and technical decisions.
- Artistic Director: Oversees production and staging.
- Assistant Director: Coordinates technical and artistic teams.
- Councilman: Maintains organization and discipline on set.
- Camera Operator: Handles the camera.
- Illuminators: Control and distribute lighting.
- Studio Engineer: Handles images and color matching.
- Sound Engineers: Mix different sound sources.
- Staging Decorator: Creates the sets.
- Actors: Perform in various roles.
Post-Production Team
- Editor: Assembles the final film.
- Sound Technician: Handles sound post-production.
This team works together to bring a screenplay to life, from the initial concept to the final product.