Post for March 26

This week I really focused on writing my script. My script began as a word document where I just put down what I wanted to have narrated and the different sections I wanted to have. After attending Dr. Holmevik’s Visual Communication class before Spring Break, I downloaded a program called Celtx, which is a script writing program. This program enables you to have scene headings, write down the action you want in each scene and the dialog for each scene. Celtx also formats the pages so it is clear what each section is. This was very helpful in getting my ideas out of my head and on paper.
For the first draft of my script I copy and pasted what I had in the word document, but I also began thinking about what I wanted each scene to look like, which is what goes into the action part of the script. My first draft did not have a lot of information in the action part, so on my first revision, I had to go back and put more information into it. The RCID student who spoke during Dr. Holmevik’s class told us that pre-production is very important and writing the script is included in pre-production. The more detailed your action is in the script, the easier it will be during production and post-production.
I met with Dr. Holmevik this past Tuesday and he told me to trim some of the dialog in various parts of my script and transcribe the interviews I will include and put the transcriptions into the dialog sections of my script. Having these transcriptions is helpful for me when I am timing my script. As it stands right now I have nine and a half minutes of script, but I am still missing two to three interviews. As my schedule states, I am planning to get those interviews the week of April 27.
I also met with Dr. Holmevik earlier today and he said a scene in my script was very lengthy, so he asked me to break it up into different scenes, which I have done and will take to his Visual Communication class I am attending tonight. The class tonight is on post-production, so I am hoping to learn some tips that will help me when my post-production time comes in the next couple of months.
My next task is to find music for the documentary. I have been looking on iTunes and the internet for music, but have been having trouble finding the right sound. I am looking for old country (not like Alan Jackson country, but like deep south country from the early 1920s), spiritual, jazz/blues type music. I will continue to search for the right sound. I have also been looking for pictures and have been given the use of a picture of Rosenwald I found on Sears’ website. I am still searching for pictures of Booker T. Washington, Rosenwald, and Hope.
Once this draft of my script is approved by Dr. Holmevik I will send it to Jay Hope to approve and will move on from there. I am hoping to get my script to Jay Hope this weekend or early next week. I am planning on mailing it to him, which was suggested by Dr. Holmevik.
I am looking forward to having a completed script and getting going with Final Cut Pro. I am going to go to the MATRF tomorrow to work with Final Cut Pro and am hoping to place some of the stills I have and possibly start storyboarding. I realize that I may have to move some things around, but I think getting something down will help.