Berliner Filmworkshops

Script Workshop

Job-explanation

Introduction and explanation of forms, which are generally used for german and american productions.

Camera-reports for 35 /16 mm (camera-reports for film emulsion).

HD /Digital (reports for all digital productions with time-code).

How to convert meters in minutes and vice versa.

Continuity-reports
(“ODA”- standard sheets and own created forms).

„How to write a continuity-report? “:
Trivially used short cuts for german- and english speaking editor.

Structuring a continuity-report with naming and describing the shot´s, picture-sizes and camera-motions.

You will learn writing notes for the editor precisely and short, but not to be misunderstood

„What data do I have to take ?”: from camera-lens to sound-problems

Daily production reports: german and american

Stage line and jumping over the stage line (here this theme will be discussed only).

Script and dialog: following the dialog during rehearsals and shooting, paying attention to mistakes and changes actors make in their dialog, announcement of those, if wished: prompting corrections during rehearsals.

Cooperation und Team work

The learned will be practiced by using film strips from German and /or American productions

Your trial work will be corrected, analysed and still existing deficits eliminated

Those, who decide joining this workshop, will be able to work as a “script” (script – continuity – assistant) for all kind of German and American productions: Commercials, video clips, movies, TV – shows and series.
(English productions differ to the ones above. What the difference is, I would love to explain, if wished)

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Continuity / Script Supervisor Workshop

Prerequisite for this course is working experience as a “Skript” (script continuity assistant) in and knowledge of the German system

This Workshop will enable you to work for GERMAN and AMERICAN productions

Preparation

“Guess” the correct TIMING. Each scene needs to be timed separately

The addition of all scenes’ timing will deliver the total estimated script-timing

To achieve this we ourselves have to “act” those scenes: imagery or active

In 3 different paces: fast, slow, normal

Each script asks for its own pace, as well as each scene

We will learn how to develop a feel and with this the pace of each scene

Breakdown ( according to a short-film-scenario)

The non-plus-ultra to get to know a script inside-out!

Here we will break each scene into its segments:
Props, cast & extras, costume and make-up, script-days & script-time

The results of it will then be put into a list – the breakdown list!

This breakdown will become your best friend during a shoot and therefore it HAS to be absolutely correct!

Stage line, jumping the stage line & Eye-lines

Explanation of the film-stage line

When does it make sense to jump the stage line (to cause suspense, to simulate a character’s des-orientation, to confuse the audition, to state chaos or chaotic situations, to create a turning point

As in: thrillers und action movies; psycho-thrillers, dream sequences and Flashbacks )

What is to be done to show the scenario from a different axis without being forced to then stick to it? (The first camera position establishes the axis, but sometimes “the wrong” axis just makes it all look better. How to deal w/ that problem in a legal way will be explained here).

Key words: WS/ BWS; the audition knows a rooms/ locations geographie already

Writing continuity and camera reports in English

We will practice working according to the American system

Daily Production Reports: German and American

The German Reports are far more demanding than the American!

What is different and what they have in common, will be thoroughly explained.

Teamwork & work on set

To make your breakdown become the Non-Plus-Ultra-Guide, you have to cooperate with nearly all departments, above all your director and 1st AD.

American productions usually have a 2nd AD as well, who is of equal importance for us script supervisors.

The American hierarchy is, in contrary to the German, a bit more elaborated

The learned will be practiced by using film clips from German and /or American productions

Your work will be corrected and analysed

Joint discussions with Q&A will follow to eliminate still existing deficits.

Those, who decide joining this workshop, will be able to work as a “script” (script – continuity – assistant) for all kind of German and American productions:Commercials, video clips, movies, TV – shows and series
(English productions differ to the ones above. What the difference is, I would love to explain, if wished).