How do movies introduce characters and storyline through the presentation of script

Room 4 has been looking deeply into the effects of Action and Fraction during their writing sessions.

Action is simply when things are happening: cars are chasing each other, you see people running, interacting, swimming, lots of things happening and you see characters in their entirety.

Fraction is where you see only parts of a character interacting with the camera.

The students of Room 4 wrote a short action scene, which overall they found very easy, and then had a go at rewriting their scenes, but hiding their characters more and focuses on body or machine parts to tell the story. The feedback they gave, and from students that has read their work, was that the Fraction technique took a lot more detail, but did give a lot more mystery to their stories.

Here are some examples and snippets of student's work. As you will see, the differences are clearly there, even though it is the same scene being described. I am very proud of the achievements in this room on this mini project.

Telisha

Action

The ship sank as it hit an iceberg. The lights flickered on and off, the children on the boat screamed and cried, as they slowly got wet… Captain Brett Copper tries to keep everyone calm, while inside he's panicking himself.

Everybody on board tried their hardest to get on a survival boat, but unfortunately, only very few people were able to.

Fraction

Waves sloshing through the ocean hitting the ship, the front of the boat hits the iceberg medal folding over. Scratch, Crack, Bang goes the ships, Lights flicker on and off. Stairs getting flooded with fish and seaweed. Tear drops dripping down everyone's face. Soaking clothes, dreaming humans, loud screams trying to try to get to a survivor boat, shoes dripping. Sky goes black little white dot appear in the sky. People slowly realize that they are gonna become one of those beautiful stars.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soren

Action

As he lay on the ground panting, the view suddenly seemed overwhelming and dangerous. The cacophony of the animals crashed over him like a wave, filling his feline ears with noise. It was so much, he was almost glad when a squad of helicopters appeared on the horizon, but it meant that they were here! He jumped to his feet and scrambled down the treacherous goat path to warn his village! The helicopters were a sure sign that, after three months of waiting and planning, it was finally time. The war had found them!

Fraction

Noise increases, and you see cat ears, poking out of a mop of black hair, flattening down to block the noise out. A chopping noise can be heard, and you see a squad of dark shapes on the horizon. A sharp intake of breath emanates from behind the camera. The feet jump up, and you see them sprinting down a gravel path. The crunching of gravel seems to fill the whole valley, until the camera switches to show the village. Closer now, you see they are preparing for war…

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annabella

Action

Porcupine stood on the edge of the icy platform that jutted out from the castle. While Tundra screamed at him her wings flared and teeth bared. It had only been a week since Queen Snowfall left and she had made herself queen in Snowfalls absence and was already yelling at everyone.

Fraction

Taloned feet stood on the edge of the icy platform, claws digging Into the Ice. Sharp teeth bared and spit flew out of her mouth as she hissed and screamed at him. It had only been a week since Queen Snowfall left and Tundra had made herself queen in Snowfalls absence and was already yelling at everyone.  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------