Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
chapter 9
Setting Up the Story
In the following
four chapters, we'll walk you through the thought process that went into the edit decisions for
some of the key scenes from
Pranks.
Of course, this is just one approach to editing the film. Given the same foot-
age, every editor will potentially end up with his or her own interpretation of a scene, and we encourage you to
create your own versions after completing the examples in the following chapters.
This chapter concerns the first act of the movie, which is all about setting up the story. This is where the setting is
established, the principal characters are introduced, and the main dramatic situation of the story is presented. The
first act ends on a turning point that presents an inequity for the main character and provides her with a problem
to solve for the rest of the story. This is also known as the
inciting incident,
which is defined as the event that
spurs the main character into action. Resolving the problem at the end of the first act becomes the main charac-
ter's goal or purpose and the question of whether the character will achieve this goal is what the viewer is waiting
to find out.
The First Act
Before we take a look at the coverage that we have available to work with (coverage refers to the different takes,
angles, and shot sizes recorded during production), let's look at the components that make up the first act of
Pranks.
Act I consists of Scenes 2 through 6 and breaks down like this:
•
Scene 2 - EXT. THE ANDERS RESIDENCE - DAY:
This scene shows the arrival of the characters and
establishes the setting for the story. The viewer is introduced to the main character and protagonist (Katie, the
character whose actions drive the story) and given a sense that someone is watching the characters as they get
out of the car (setting up the antagonist that Katie will eventually face).
•
Scene 3 - INT. HALLWAY - FRONT ENTRANCE - DAY:
This scene provides some exposition about
the present circumstances (Katie is a reserved child who has come to live with a new foster mother) and also
establishes the relationship between the two principle characters.
•
Scene 4 - INT. KATIE'S ROOM - DAY:
Katie chooses a room for herself and tidies away some discarded
toys. This scene simply sets up the turning point that occurs in Scene 6 but also lays the groundwork for what
the two adversaries will be fighting over: ownership of the bedroom.
•
Scene 5 - INT. HALLWAY - EVENING:
Katie explores the house and comes across a photo that shows a
young boy holding the ball she has just seen in the bedroom, providing a further clue to the identity of Katie's
adversary.
