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Lecture 10:Lecture 10:The Art of Constructive FeedbackThe Art of Constructive Feedback

Professor Daniel Cutrara

Breakfast Club (1949)

Written by John Hughes

Previous LessonPrevious Lesson

• Designing Progressions

• Assignments

This LessonThis Lesson

• Constructive Feedback

• A checklist to review the script

• Assignments

Juno (1992)Written by Diablo Cody

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The Art of Constructive FeedbackThe Art of Constructive Feedback

Lesson 10: Part I

Adam’s Rib (1949)

Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin (Screenplay)

Guidelines for Peer ReviewGuidelines for Peer Review• Keep in mind the following as you review

your peer script.– Be respectful in your feedback.– Focus on key problems, leave spell check to

your peers.– Provide constructive criticism, but don’t

“rewrite” the script.– Keep in mind the goal is to help each other

become better writers.

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The FormatThe Format• Begin your written comments focusing on

the strength of the script. • Once you have established the elements

that are working and/or show promise turn to areas that you think should be addressed in a rewrite.

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The Check ListsThe Check Lists

Lesson 10: Part II

Mean Girls (1949) Rosalind Wiseman (Book)

Tina Fey (Screenplay)

Check Lists for the ScriptCheck Lists for the Script

• The following check lists for your script are adapted from Asher Garfinkel’s book Screenplay Story Analysis: The Art and Business. You should find them a helpful guide as you read over your peer’s script.

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Concept and the FeelConcept and the Feel

• What is the overall feel of the read? Did you finish the script with a sense of- I want to read more?

• Does the concept have potential?

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PlotPlot• As you review the plot ask yourself the

following questions.– What is the conflict about? What major

complications arise? – Do(es) the protagonist(s) have a major goal?

Does the goal change over time? – Are there any major twists or reversals?– Does the world of the story have coherent

rules?– Is there an urgency to the storyline?– Are there any plot holes?

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Plot - 2Plot - 2• Subplots

– Is the main storyline complicated by subplots? – Do the subplots help the plot to develop

character and or theme? – Are the subplots structured?

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StructureStructure• As you review the structure ask yourself

the following questions.– Does it follow a Three Act Structure? If not,

does the alternative structure work?– Does act one set up the problem and introduce

the characters sufficiently?– Is there an inciting incident, does it happen in a

timely manner?– Does act two build appropriately? Does it have

a midpoint? Does it end on a major reversal?

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CharacterCharacter• As you review the character development

ask yourself the following questions.– Is the protagonist sympathetic or otherwise

engaging?– Are the protagonist’s wants and needs clearly

defined?– What is at stake for the protagonist if he/she

doesn’t achieve his/her goals?

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Character - 2Character - 2

– Do the characters experience a wide range of emotions?

– Is the protagonist active or passive?– Is the story motivated by the protagonist’s

needs?– Are the characters well rounded or do

they feel one-dimensional?

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DialogueDialogue• As you review the dialogue ask yourself the

following questions.– Does it sound natural given the characters and

world of the story? – Does it help define the personality of the

characters?– Does the dialogue work for the screen? E.g.

stage plays have much more latitude on the length of speeches and stylized nature of the speech.

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Final ConcernsFinal Concerns• As you review the script ask yourself the

following questions.– Is the tone consistent? – Does it feel like there will be a worthwhile

payoff?– Is the Point of View consistent and/or working

for the story?– Does the action description guide the reader’s

imagination as opposed to telling the director how to do his/her job.

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AssignmentsAssignments

Lesson 10: Part III

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1976)Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman (Screenplay)

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Peer ReviewPeer Review

• You must post 90 pages or more of your screenplay to the e-board so that your assigned peer can review it.

• The Review should be approximately 2-3 pages single-spaced, following the guidelines of this lecture.

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E-Board PostE-Board Post• Post any questions that you have

concerning the review process that you think your peers might also want to know the answers to.

End of Lecture 10End of Lecture 10

Next Lecture:

Problems and Solutions

Juno (1992)Written by Diablo Cody