Blog #13- Script Frenzy Project Reflection Paper

What did you think when we first discussed the project? How did you feel about it?
- When we first started discussing this project, I was very unsure and skeptical. I felt like there would be no way that I could write 100 pages. I honestly thought that Ms. Basko  was out of her mind and that she was expecting alot out of us. I also was concerned that I was going to have quite a bit of trouble thinking of an idea, and developing the script to the appropriate length in order to get it established for the beginning of Script Frenzy.

What do you think about the project now that it is done? How do you feel about it now?
- Now that I have finished the project I have realized that my skepticism was wrong. Indeed I didn't reach 100 pages, but I know why. I never worked on the script out side of class. Just through working on it in class, I got to 68 pages. I know for a fact that I could have reached 100 pages if I had spent more time out outside of class writing the story. I also realized that Ms. Basko wasn't out of her mind. My concerns about not developing the story enough were refuted because as I kept writing ideas were just flowing through my head and I didn't even realize that I had to think about writing the story. I found this project to be really fun and entertaining.

What parts of the planning stages in the Script Frenzy Workbook were the most helpful to you? And what parts were the least helpful to you? Explain.
- The most helpful part of the script frenzy work book was the planning out and sectioning off of each part of the script, from the opening scene, to the climax, to the detente. This was very helpful because it allowed me to visually see my script in a better manner. As a visual learner, it it hard for me to just plan with bullets and such, I need the break up and well organized pieces in order to start writing. The workbook provided that needed organization


What did you learn about yourself by taking on such a large project?
- From this project, I learned that I really underestimate myself because I didn't think I would even come close to even 50 pages and I did that and much more. I also realized that I am very creative and that ideas just come to me very easily. I never knew this because I never had to do a project of this bulk and in depth type writing to ever have realized that before.


How many pages is your final script? How did you handle time-management for this project? In what ways did you handle your time well? In what ways did you not handle your time well?
- My final script was 68 pages. I tried to accomplish three pages in class a day. This worked sometimes and other times it didn't due to class distractions and the occasional writers block days. I handled my time rather well while in class. I really tried very hard to do three pages a day and I set milestones like 10 pages, or to a specific page in order to keep me going. I could have worked more on this at home and outside of class in order to get to 100 pages, but I didn't plan well enough to think I needed that time, which I ended up regretting not having.


What are the strengths of your script? What parts of the script make you the most proud?
- I think the strengths of my scripts are in the area of creating drama. I feel like I really developed the sense of drama between the characters and between the situations that occurred throughout the script. I am most proud of my first ten or so pages. I think I really set the scene really well and that I really showed the personal, emotional connection that the protagonist had with the trouble in the story.


What are the weaknesses of your script? What are the parts that you know need more time and improvement?
- I think that my script lacks a good dialogue. I feel like I didn't spend enough time on the interactions between the characters and that since I didn't do that, the script leaves a sort of confusing cloud of how the characters truly feel about a certain topic. The conclusion is so abrupt and ties up the loose ends really rapidly, which could cause confusion. I think that if I were to spend more time on the ending and perhaps on the scene where Abby is in danger in the car with the murderer, the story wouldn't seem like it just stopped suddenly. If I spent more time developing that, I truly believe that the script would be enhanced greatly, leaving less confusion and abruptness for the reader.

If we had more time in the course and to spend on this project, what would you work on and how would you focus your time?
If we had more time to work on this project, I honestly would probably still only work on it in class because of my workload in my other classes. I would however make the script much longer. I would drag out some of the quick and abrupt scenes that just kind of were established and then were suddenly over. I would make the mystery of the murder more mysterious by having him cause more trouble in Abby's life, which would cause the NCIS team to just lose it. I would still work hard in class to continue accomplishing my three pages a class precendent. If I had more time to work on the script, I think my story would be better due to further character development and further hype in the story itself.

Blog #12- Reflection on Scene

What are the greatest strengths of your scene?
- I believe that the strongest part of my scene is the way in which I set up the emotion and concern for Abby by the other NCIS members. I also think that the way in which I "set the scene" for each action was developed well and aided in the establishment of imagery and emotion. After some discussion in peer groups, the members of my group said that I conveyed the urgency of the situation very well. They also said that I communicated the personalities of the characters well and simply, and it got the job done.

What makes you proud of this scene?
- Similar to the what I just mentioned, I am proud of the way I created emotion in the scene. I am proud of this because I know that as a reader, I enjoy being able to be emotionally connected to the characters. Some of my least favorite books are ones where I don't understand how the characters feel about a situation; there isn't that personal touch and character emotion that draws me in.

If you had time to re-write the scene, what would you do to improve it? Be specific.
- If I had to improve this scene in any way, I would spend more time on describing facial expressions and perhaps more time on the way the characters spoke amongst each other. I was quick to get the story moving along to get the characters to "save" Abby. I should have shown more inner emotion from the characters. After peer review, the members of my group were really stressing the fact that I should have included more dialogue to convey the message instead of using descriptors.