LO1- Analysis of scripts

In this post I will be Analysing and comparing all 4 of these scripts.



Style and content

All of the scripts I am analysing have courier new at size 12 as the font. They all have this font as all scripts should be functional also this is stylistic convention of scripts. This font is easy to read also the font suits the types of media products. The documentary script usually contain planned speech, television news broadcast usually will have to change their facts depending the changes that the current event has, this is done in the script I am analysing as the person as in the script they have a story but change it the next day it says “Two teens are facing charges through a hit run last night in Madison” the next day it changes to “one boy was charged for the hit run”. The video game script will follow a flow chart which will have many different options as the pathway can change in a game so they could change the storyline this helps with escapism (Dennis Mcquail 1972). In the production of a script, the writer usually includes direction between the dialogues this helps instruct the production team. For example directions will include acts in drama scripts, news items for factual media products. This helps being organized when the production is taking place. These are usually abbreviated this helps the script to be more practical.   Other specific conventions of script layouts include 'visual' and 'aural'; which aesthetics we see (including videos, graphics, labels and photography) and the sound effects, voices and music we hear. These are usually placed in same location as the dialogue but just has the abbreviation at the start for example (SFX: The phone rings).

Characters are presented in the middle of scripts. In the games script I am analysing as the character name is above the dialogue however the character’s name sometimes is on the left hand side in front of the dialogue and may be highlighted depending on the importance of the characters. For example in the game script it has the character are in the middle.  

Scripts are used by everybody in the company this includes the actors/presenters/interviewees, writers, directors, camera operators, producers, special effects crew, show runner and game developers. The script is shown to all of these people so then everybody understands what content will be created. For example the camera operators will know where to position the camera at different point of the production. If any problems occur in the production process then all of the team will know as everybody knows what they are doing. This helps sort the problem quicker. Video games usually have synopsis with in the game play. This is done to introduce the narrative of the game to the user. This provides knowledge and helpful things what are needed to play the game. For example in the game scripts it has this at the start.

 A wide range of scripts such as games, Films, will use stage and location directions to help the character to perform certain actions also the production team will benefit because they can use specific stage dressings. For example in the game script the stage directions says that "all the kids should be scared and run to the front of the class"  then "Jake runs up to them to calm her down" as "Lydia cries loudly" sound effects are important for the game script so the developer know when to add sound or adjust it. This will help with stage positioning as well as when the players/software programmers knows where to go they can stand in that position. Another stage direction is on the documentary script called "triumph of the will" and directs the camera man to get the correct angle and shot type. This is shown on the script as it helps the actors to sit centre of the camera. The stage direction will be placed in the middle of the page on scripts for example

Sound effects on a script will be usually in the middle of the script with in brackets. This usually has the abbreviation (SFX). This is done so then the editor will know when to add sound or pause. The radio script will use these so then between news report and songs it will play something in between. For example BBC Radio have someone sing "BBC Radio 2". This is done as a way of separating different parts of the radio show. Another thing about the radio script is that it will not include stage directions as it’s aural.

Mode of address depends on the relationship that the person doing the addressing and the person being addressed. This is different for each script depending on the formality. For example in the radio script it is designed to entertain, its mode of address is "peer to peer" because of its informal register. However in the news script the mode of address is "teacher to pupil" this is because the news mostly informs the public.  The film script will be informal as the purpose is to entertain the audience so the mode of address will be "peer to peer".

Narrative structure

There are four types of narrative structures in scripts, these are single stranded, multi stranded, linear and non-linear. Looking at my sample scripts the radio drama and the game scripts are multi stranded as they have more than one main character and the news script and the documentary script is a non-linear as it isn't in order and starts with a disequilibrium.   

Single stranded

A single stranded script is done by one character. It is usually taken from first person and used mostly for documentaries and films. As they can focus on the main characters. One example of this is in Forest Gump he is the main character. Another thing about single stranded is that they are started to be in video games such as the crew as it focuses just on one person.

Multi-stranded

A multi stranded script is usually based on multiple characters as it usually focuses on several views also has a particular running order. You mainly see these in radio dramas as it add more content with in however it is seen in most scripts as many scripts have a protagonist and a antagonist. This is done well in the Maze Runner as there are many character to focus on.

Linear

Linear is usually in order as the script will have a continuous storyline to it. A linear script will most likely appear in film, games and documentary scripts. For example; Todorov came up with the theory behind a narrative story. For example Sons Of Anarchy does this very well as it is all in order.

Non-Linear

Non-linear is not in chronological order and may start with a disequilibrium. These scripts are usually documentaries, games and films. This will create tension for the viewer, which will mean the media will include more scenes and drama as they can go back to the disequilibrium.

TV News

TV News has a running order and always includes the 5 W's (Who, what, where, when, why). This is because they need to give full coverage of the stories.

Genre

As I have looked at all of these different scripts for example radio drama script, game script, documentary scrip and news scripts. All of these different type of scripts exist to provide information and entertain the target audience. The game script and radio drama are fictional and the news script and documentary is non fictional as they both are about the real world and cannot tell a lie.
Target audience

Target audience is very important when writing a script. Looking at the example scripts I have collected, they all have different target demographics. For the game script the target audience is mainly young kids as 8 to 14 year olds and slightly more female than male. I have looked at a recent survey and realized that it is males who play video games more however most of them buy their games with spending money which would suggest their disposable income is greater which means they are in B/C1/C2 background. The reason why they play these video games is because it is a form of escapism from day to day life (Pan European Game Information) help decide the age range of the game and who plays the game. For my documentary I have to look at the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) all scripts for any broadcasted media is rated by the BBFC.  The regulators act like a guidelines for cinemas, television channels and radio station. For example the age rating for the Triumph of the Will. Is rated 8+ as the documentary does have blood in it which would mean that it is not suitable for people under the age of 8.

The target audience for the radio drama will be adults as not many teenagers or kids will listen to the radio this would means 20+ will be more interested. As the radio drama script I am looking at is mainly aimed for males. The type of people who would listen to the radio drama are A, B, C1. This is similar to the game scripts but a lot of people like to listen to these for escapism and also it create a topic to talk about. This is because it has many things happening in the radio drama.

The News script will have a large target audience as many people will watch the news on a daily basis however it depends on where you live as different people will get different news and will be on a mass scale. The main age group for the news is adults as they worry more however teenager do watch it sometimes however most people can just use the internet. There is no specific gender what watches the news as it is important for all.

References
http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/FullLengthPlays/Default.aspx
Lazy Bee Scripts
(2017) 'Style Content'
[Accessed March 2017]

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/lineara.htm
Omniglot
(2017) 'linear'
[Accessed April 2017]

http://www.euroscript.co.uk/script-formats-and-free-downloads.html
Euroscript
(2017) 'Format'
[Accessed April 2017]

https://johnaugust.com/2007/linear-writing-for-non-linear-films
Johnaugust
(2017)'non linear'
[Accessed April 2017]

http://www.strandedonline.de/s2_scripting1.php
Strandedonline
(2017) 'types of scripts'
[Accessed April 2017]