2. Instructions
For phase #2 youre preparing a screenplay and shot sheet. I dont expect you to write a whole screenplay, just lay out one scene from your film, preferably one with as many of your key actors and plot points as possible (it will make the writing task easier). Ive linked to several examples of screenplays here, here, here, and here. You might want to look at Shakespeare too, as his plays are written in a way very similar to screenplays (save the whole lack of camera shots and such). Aim for 4-6 pages for the treatment. With this done, map out a shot sheet, which is nothing more than explaining what cinematographic techniques will be used to capture the action in this scene. Youll want to be as specific as possible in your selection of camera angles, depth of field, how youd use pan/tilts, the type of camera (fixed, steadicam, etc) zooms, etc. Youll find some examples of shot sheets here, here, and here. Attach this to the end of the treatment. The one added element I want with the shot sheet is to explain why youve chosen the specific camera actions/types that you have for each part of the scene. Weve read about the narrative consequences of many different shots in the past few weeks, so talk about how the cinematography youre setting up from shot to shot will help carry the reader through the content of the scene youve written up in the screenplay. Aim for an additional 2-3 pages for the shot sheet.