As a mandatory part of the Media (Film) Production course at Staffordshire university, we have to gain at least 80 hours crewing time for the third years, whilst in our second year. This crewing time can be any role in any of the pre-production, production, or post production stages.
Most of the offers from the third years in the way of work experience has come in scriptwriting; this is great as it is what I most enjoy doing and is what I feel I am best at. A total of three people have asked for help with their scripts: Daniel Daley, Amy Styran and Max Ryles. I wouldn't want to do many more as I don't feel as though I would be able to fit anymore in (it will become clearer as to why not later).
The first person's script I work on was Amy Styran's. Her film idea was such an interesting one that I was really glad to be working on it. Her idea was a period piece set in the 50's, about two woman who see a pair of shoes in a shop window and decide they must have them, despite not having the money to pay for them. In exchange for any work I do for her, she promised me a script supervisor credit. One thing I really hate when it comes to credits in films is when people don't get accurate credits for the work they put in. For example if I wrote a script I would want that credit and nothing less, however if I just doctored a script then I wouldn't want a writers credit, but a credit that shows exactly what my input on the film was. I wouldn't want too much credit for a lesser role, or less credit for a bigger role.
On her film, Amy wanted me to read through the script that she had written and then rewrite it how I would've done it, changing anything I felt would make the story or dialogue better. Once I had completed my work she would then take the best elements from both scripts and combine them. I really liked this approach as it allowed me to be more creative, but meant it was still her film and her script. I got to work rewriting her script on Friday, and then continued to work on it most of the day on Saturday and most of the day Sunday, altogether spending about 25-30 hours writing. This may seem like a lot of time to spend on a script, especially over a three day period, but I really enjoy scriptwriting, so although I probably could have spread the time out a bit, I lost track of time while I was working and on the Friday night I worked until 3am before I realised that I should probably go to bed. Once I had finished I sent what I had to Amy; she said that she like it and then explained the sorts of things she was going to keep from my script, for example the character development. This feedback was invaluable as I have an idea of what I had done will make it into the film, without having to wait until the film is released to find out. I wish Amy the best of luck, as her idea really was a good one, and hope that the finished film is everything that she wishes it to be.
Up next, Max and his script 'Tropical Blend'...
Up next, Max and his script 'Tropical Blend'...
