The synopsis as captured by Owuamalam (2007) could be likened to an abstract which summarizes the entire creative work, in an impressive form, structure and sequence. But the shooting script, captures and consists of shot numbering, camera instruction, action to be formatted and the anticipated accompanying sound.
“Never Again” is a
Storyline adapted from Owumalam (2007:137) showing example of a script.
NEVER AGAIN
The world can be peaceful, in the absence of robbers, bandits, terrorists and brigands. Mark was once a humble boy, who grew in the high brow area of Duke form. He lived at Bon Plaza on the 4th street. His parents are wealthy. So, Mark lacked nothing. He always shows generosity to the less privileged members of the community. One day, Mark met Alice and John who led rascal lives that offend society. They talked Mark into smoking. They even brought alcohol for Mark and took him to clubs and casinos. They told him the benefit of belonging to secret cults and the essence of becoming a “big-boy” or even a “boss” peer.
Mark followed their directions at home where he smoked behind closed doors, and in toilets. At school, he joined a cult group of his choice.
Some evening’s he went to club with Jane. The difference was a continuous one for Mark who has just turned 25 years of age.
Suddenly, Jane’s parents become worried that their daughter was frequently sick and vomited mornings. Jane had started being absent from school, while their examination was fast approaching. Her teacher was worried and asked other students why Jane was no longer regular at school.
Six months later, Jane was discovered to be pregnant. The school expelled her. Mark was involved in robbery. He was caught and paraded before the press and the community. His father fled town,
blaming Mark’s woes on his mother who was always protective of their son.
Three months later, Mark was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to death by a firing squad. His mother was heartbroken. She watched her only son in chains, as he was taken away by the police.
Jane delivered her baby in a squalor, after being isolated and abandoned by her parents. There was no Mark to rest her shoulders.
Her child wept ceaselessly, of deprivation as hunger set in to tell the story.
3.3.2 “Never Again” as a Synopsis
“Never again” by Emman-owums Owuamalam, is a social documentary on societal plot. The film is a story of petting, romance and self-deceit, which blossoms into deviant behavior, unwanted pregnancy and crime. It is an irony of Mark’s sheltered life, which affected his response to the peer group influence of John and Alice, resulting in unwanted pregnancy, for Jane and his involvement in brutal crimes. It is a tragedy, which society should strive to eradicate in today’s youths, who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
3.3.3 Shooting script for “Never Again”
Camera Action Sound
01 CUT CAM.1.
pos. “A” L.S.
BON PLAZA, Pan left to Right.
People and cars passing. BON PLAZA
Usual Street noise
02 CUT CAM.2 pos.
“B” M.S. BON PLAZA
Car parked in front of the beautiful
environment of
a duplex where Mark lives.
03 CUT CAM. Pos.
“C” CU Marks parlour. Zoom into dinning room.
Mark and
parents eating at the dinning room.
Clogging of cutleries
It could be noted that each camera has a specific role, which it has to play in imaging and provision of the appropriate audio-visual experience. The nature of shots expected are indicated as LS (Long shot) M.S (medium shot) and CU (close up shot). The transitional devices of cut, fade, dissolve and wipe, for instance, enable the movement from one picture frame to another.
4.0 Conclusion
The script is a manual conveying the programme idea. It contains the dialogue, presentation style and the instructions that will aid the production process of documentary. There are principles to be adhered to when writing the documentary script. They include structuring the script to gain the attention of viewers, introducing emotional appeals and using narration to reinforce the effect of the documentary.
5.0 Summary
This unit examined the meaning of a script and thereafter defined the documentary script. The principles that guide documentary scriptwriting were listed and discussed. The synopsis was also differentiated from the shooting script. Samples of straight forward ,synopsis and a shooting script were culled from Owuamalam (2007 .142) and x-rayed to guide you while writing documentary scripts.
6.1 Self-Assessed Exercise
Study the three scripts sampled in this unit. Could you identify differences in the scripts.