When what you want is not what you need

Electronic versions

Documents

  • Craig Batty

    Research areas

  • School of Creative Studies and Media

Abstract

Films are not only visual, they are visceral; they allow an audience to feel the unfolding drama, and psychologically connect with the characters. Even for the screenwriter, the experience of writing a film can be deeply moving, where a range of character emotions are assimilated and then poured back into the narrative. The most important thing to remember, for both the audience and the screenwriter, is this: something can only be felt outside of the text if enough work has been done within the text. As such, this PhD explores the idea that the narrative journey undertaken by a protagonist is also one that the audience is invited to take. More specifically, a protagonist undertakes a journey that is comprised of two individual yet interwoven threads, the physical journey and the emotional journey, and it is the complete narrative experience generated by the two that invites an audience to feel. The screenplay for this PhD explores the idea of the physical and emotional journey by offering a narrative that follows one man's struggle to form a gay football team. Although he appears to be following a physical path to achieve this physical want, what becomes clear is that he is also following an emotional path to embrace his emotional need. The critical commentary for this PhD explores the fabric, form and function of a protagonist's physical and emotional journey, and the relationship that they share. Using the specific model of the Hero's Journey, the critical commentary also offers a framework that aims to define and map-out the physical and emotional journey, which can then be used as a basis for writing or deconstructing a screenplay. Like a protagonist, this PhD takes a journey; a journey to improve both a skill in and an understanding of screenwriting. It enhances creative and critical awareness of screenwriting: a creative artefact with a critical commentary; a creative artefact informed by critical reading; a critical commentary informed by creative writing.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Graeme Harper (Supervisor)
Award dateJan 2009