D1 - Requirements Met

 THE BRIEF:

The brief I was given instructed me to write a script for the production of a short dramatized sequence that can be used to promote a television show. Its purpose is to gain interest for this TV show among 15-21 year olds and last between 10-15 minutes.

SHORT DRAMATIZED SEQUENCE:

GENRE AND CONVENTIONS:

CONVENTIONS OF A TV DRAMA:

Episodic dramas are made for a home audience who are watching the on going narrative, based on serious conflict. My screenplay is based on this on going narrative from a wider episodic TV show based around a girl, Violet, who gets sexually assaulted by her brothers best friend. This happens at the beginning of the narrative, we then go on to see how this event effects Violet especially as she grows up. This short dramatized sequence happens at the very end of the on going narrative when Violet finally opens up to her family about what happened. This movement of conflict through episodes allows my audience to keep interested in the drama that is happening through each episode. 

GENRE: 

I had to consider meeting the conventions of the drama genre when writing my script. As my script doesnt have a sub genre - is just a drama i am following the conventions of just a drama. These conventions are used to make sure the drama attracts my audience who are at home watching. These genres are also important when considering the fact that this short dramatized sequence is part of a longer on going narrative with episodes.

CONFLICT:

To keep audiences interested in this short sequence it needs to remain some sort of conflict - physical, emotional or mental. The conflict in my script is the argument between the portagonist Violet and her brother Alex. 

One key convention of drama shows is the use of characters to transmit messages to the audience. These characters can help to relay the specific genre to the audience by their behaviour and what is expected in each genre. In my script, we see Violet and Alex (siblings) arguing with each other, creating drama and tension for the audience. This also links with how character arcs are used to keep the audience interested in the narrative. The character arc within my script also holds as a place in the wider concept of the TV show. My protoagonist has a transformation

arc. From the beggining of the show she changes from an innocent and naive girl to a broken and chaotic teenager. This part of the screenplay I have focused on is especially relevant in the character arc as it takes place at the very end of the show. The screenplay focuses on when Violet finally opens up to her family about what happened to her and tried to heal. Although the audience will only see this last bit of her character arc, elements of her transformation arc are insinuated throughout for example '(changing the topic, fearing too much truth being revealed)' and Violet getting overly upset. This is the end of her tranformation arc, with her trying to finally heal. This helps to establish the drama in my screenplay as audiences will see these subtle hints and clues at Violets character arc and the drama that happens in the screenplay will be more effective. It also helps to make the audience want to watch the rest of the show to find out what happened to Violet and why she feels this way.

Another convention of the drama genre is how technical codes are used. Technical codes such like editing instructions and shot types are used to convey the genre to the audience. In my screenplay I tried to convey the tension between the characters using shot types and

camera instructions.  For example, I used a low angle shot type in an action block at the beggining of the extract to establish Violet as the protagonist and show that the story is from her angle. I also used a dolly shot to establish as well, as well as create tension between the siblings. this both help to establish the dramatic elements of the show without having to actually say them in the specific dialogue. This makes the screenplay feel more natural so that an audience can actually believe that a scene like that would happen.

Audio codes are also used as a convention of drama TV. Similarly to technical codes, they are used as instructions for editors or camera crew. At the start of my screenplay i used multiple Off-screen '(O.S)' technical codes alongside dialogue. Having this dialogue be off screen helps the screenplay to run more naturally. This allows the audience to focus more on dramatic elements (for example in these off-

screen moments we could see Violets emotion while her family is talking about George) rather than every character every time they say something. Dialogue is also arguably the most important element in creating drama. Although the most simple audio code, it is often what the audience most focuses on and has the most effect in how dramatic the screenplay turns out to be. Because my screenplay's sole element of drama is an argument between Violet and Alex, when writing my screenplay i was focusing on dialogue. I used lots of parenthesis to expand on how charcters should be behaving in this time so that the flow of emotions what clear to the audience. I also ended my show on a cliffhanger when the protagonist confesses she had also been assaulted by George to her brother. The audience will be left will this last piece of dialogue and want to watch the show for answers.

Setting is a key convention which helps to establish the dramatic genre. The setting of a scene helps the audience to infer what may be happening in the scene, so that when this does or doesnt happen this is more dramatic. The description of settings can help establish the mood and emotions of the scene. I described the setting of my scene in the beggining of the extract. I used detailed information about wjere charcters were placed and how 'dimly lit' the staircase was to establish this lower mood immediately into the screenplay byb just the iconography. 

Todorov's narrative theory helps to describe how the narrative can create drama. narratives move throiugh these 5 stages (Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition, Repair, New Equilibrium) to make sure the narrative is as dramatic as possible. When creating my screenplay i had to consider how this was a promotional screenplay; i had to consider where this

extract took place in the whole TV show narrative as well as how much I revealed in the extract.  This extract takes places in the reapir section of the whole narrative - when Violet tries to fix her relationship with her brother and heal herself. The extract reveales an important section of the narratuive when Alex reveals his opinions about George and Violet reveals what she went through to him. Within my extract i also go through these stages to keep the audience interested and feeling like there is a moving drama even just in these 10-15 minutes. The extract begins in the equilibrium with Violet by herself, nervous, and Alex and their parents by themselves and trying to sort themselves out; reflecting the constant moods and

themes that occur towards Violets charcter arc. The disruption occurs when Violet and Alex have disagreeing opinions about George. They recognize this in their argument. We see the very start of the repair of this when Violet admits to Alex that she was also assaulted, ending the extract on a cliffhanger. The extract didnt reach a new equilibrium as this would have taken away the element of tension that had to be included for it to be a promotional extract. This leaves the audience curious about how this is resolved and leaving questions about what happened in the rest of the series for them to be acting this way.

USED TO PROMOTE THE TV DRAMA:

The brief stated that the script I was writing for was to be used for a promotional video for my TV show. this meant i had to find a way to portray the whole TV show is just this 10-15 minute clip.

I wanted to get the theme of my show across. I chose to do an emotional scene as i felt this correctly represented my show and what people will find when they watch it. I made the two siblings argue and cry to get these emotions across. This provided the main conflict of the extract, the sibling argument is what the extract revolves around, creating dramatic effect. If this theme didnt translate correclty to the audience then they may be mislead about what the show is about and be dissapointed when they watch it. The theme and conflict had to be something that would draw in potential viewers. I used a cliffhanger as a hook to persuade the audience to go and watch the entire series. By ending the screenplay on the main character confessing to her brother that she had also been assualted ('He did it to me too'), it leaves the audience questioning what happens next - how does the brother react, what happened to violet? 

THEME:

Using this short clip as promotion is also important at drawing in the correct audience. I have used emotional scenes and topics to correctly aim to my 16-21 year old audience who are more mature and more open to these themes than younger people whom it may be too innapropriate or older people who may have more conservative ideas on TV. I included converstations around attitudes towards female victims of assault as well as males who are accused of assault in hopes to draw in my target audience of people who are interested in raising awarness to these topics and be educated around them. Even by adding these to my screenplay if a wider audeince see's this I would still be fulfilling my aim of eductaing people about these topics and it may end up even bringing attention back to my TV if an active converstaion begins around these topics on social media or in society as a response. 

LEGAL/ETHICAL ISSUES:

However, when including these serious topics I had to consider the legal/ethical issues I had to abide by knowing this promotional extract would reach a more mainstream audience than just my target audience. 

I made sure not to include any swearing as I felt it wasnt needed in my scene, especially as it is two siblings talking and this if often uncommon even when angry. This means I can abide by BBFC rating of keeping it an age 15, and will also allow me to be more confident when sharing it on social media sites uch as Instagram or Twitter when it may reach a wide audience and people below the age of 15. Similarly to this I also havent included any explicit drug taking, sex or violence as it wasnt needed in this scene and also allows me to keep in guidelines.

When promoting this I also had to consider the book which my idea was inspired from. Even though it was loosely inspired by the book, it was important to make sure that the scene didnt put the book in a bad light. People who have potentially read the book may be interested in watching the scene and may be dissapointed with what they see. As this is a loose inspiration from the book this shouldnt be a problem but i would still need to check that i wasnt putting the origional book in a bad light or stealing any of its property without permission from the author. My script doesnt refer to any other products or things which may potentially get copyrighted so this a legal issue i dont need to worry about

GAIN INTEREST AMONGST TARGET AUDIENCE:

My target audience audience is 16-21 year olds watching on BBC3. This is a small age group to target to however my show will appeal to a mass audience. Lots of children this age will want to watch the show as it is set in a UK school with charcters of this age group. Even though my show is on a very emotional issue, it one that lots of girls may identify with or be interested in watching. It will also bring in a lot of men to watch who may want to be educated on the topic. 

Audience needs:

Escapism = One of the reasons people will want to watch the show is to escape reality. As the show is a drama, it means that they can escape into the drama of the characters and the storyline as a distraction from their everyday life. They may escape into stories or charcters that they identify with or even ones that they have no idea about. This gains interest from a big secton of the target audience are looking to watch the show solely for entertainment.

Surveillance = Another reason people may watch the show is for surveillance. My show is based around

sexual assault and how it effects victims in many ways, also about the sterotypes of victims. People may watch the show to be educated more on this topic. Watching someone else go through someone and see how they deal with it can give us an insight to someone elses life, and other people issues to educate us. This is especially important for the male section of the target audience who may not so much identify with the female protagonist but more want to learn from what she went through. This age group of 16-21 will also gain more of an interest because of this compared to an older audience, as they will be more interested in looking to actively educate themselves on topics like.

Personal identity = People may watch the show who identify with any of the characters and what they

go through, or see situations that happen on screen. They will then see this and learn how to deal with their own issues. In my screenplay the protagonist is dealing with being sexually assaulted by her brothers best friend. Although this is quite a unique situation, people may be able to learn from how she deals with this and apply it to something they have experiences. People may be able to find comfort or just this lesson i the characters or the situations and expand as an individual.

Relationships = People may also want to watch shows to enhance their relationship with other people. Shows that become popular with the 16-21 age group become part of culture around this age group at least for a short space of time, topics around the show will be brought up in conversations with friends or family. Watching the show can mean you can connect or bond with people over the storylines or characters. 

Characters:

My characters play a key part in attracting my target audience. I have created my characters in a way

that reflects my target audience. The main charcters are the same age as my target audience and live in the UK, where my target audience lives. This means that the storylines will be more relatable to the target audience as it will more accurately reflect sitauations around them. This means that the audience will gain more interest in the characters and the show as a whole if they can understand them more. The audience will also want to watch the show for the characters if they appeal to them. I have tried to create complex characters in my TV show to keep the audience interested. In my screenplay, the two main characters invloved are Violet, the protagonist, and her brother Alex. These two people not only reflect what lots of people in this age category eith idenitfiy with as people and them as siblings, but also provide complex drama as them having both good and bad elements to their personality keeps the audience interested. 

Setting:

My screenplay is based in a recognizable setting of a UK school and town. This is relevant to my TV show being a drama show. With it being a drama, people will want to see situations that are relevant to them to focus on the drama and be most effected by it because they relate to it. The 16-21 audience will relate to this school environment and the storylines will ahev the most dramatic effect. People will want to watch the show to see these similar people in similar situations.

SCREEN DURATION BETWEEN 10-15 MINUTES:

The screen duration is controlled by the format of the script. I used the industry format of 12pt Courier font with correct allignment and spacing - using a title page, slugline and scene headings, action blocks, character names and character dialogue. This is important because it means that 1 page of my script equals to 1 minute of screentime in my short dramatic sequence. This is including what is said and what happens which isnt said in the dialogue. When writing my script I made sure to write 11 pages of script pages so that my sscreenplay will be 11 minutes and within the limitations of the brief.