REJUVENATING SCRIPT FORMAT: THE USE OF EMOJI IN
SCRIPTWRITING.
A CASE STUDY ON "KENAPA GUE?" IN OTT VIDIO SERIES
Baskoro Adi Wuryanto, 2Eurico Kevin Pratama adi@lecturer.
Program Studi Film.
Fakultas Seni dan Desain.
Universitas Multimedia Nusantara
ARTIKEL
Diterima: 6 Oktober 2023
Direvisi: 12 November 2023
Disetujui: 20 November 2023
ABSTRACT
This research explores the rejuvenation of script format through the innovative incorporation of emojis in scriptwriting.
Despite their widespread use in digital communication, emojis have not been conventionally integrated into film scripts.
This study aims to investigate the strategic use of emojis as visual elements to enrich communication and evoke emotions effectively in the film narrative.
A key case study analyzed in this research is the Indonesian web series, "Kenapa Gue?", produced by Vidio Originals.
This series dominantly capture lives on computer and smartphone screens, adeptly weaving together various digital platforms to craft a captivating Emojis play a pivotal role in "Kenapa Gue?" by visually conveying character emotions and enhancing the authenticity of dialogue.
Through an in-depth examination of the impact of including emojis in scripts, this study examines the potential benefits and challenges.
conducting surveys and analyzing the case study, we explore how the creative integration of emojis fosters a more engaging and collaborative environment during production, ultimately elevating the film narrative.
This research introduces a novel perspective on scriptwriting, highlighting the seamless blend of emojis with contemporary storytelling.
By advocating for the inclusion of emojis as expressive tools within scripts, this study positions emojis as valuable assets in the film industry, rejuvenating the art of scriptwriting and elevating cinematic expression.
In conclusion, this study bridges the gap in conventional scriptwriting practices, inspiring filmmakers and scriptwriters to harness the communicative power of emojis.
Embracing emojis as an integral part of the script format unlocks exciting possibilities for invigorating storytelling in the digital age, making it a key catalyst for modern cinematic innovation.
Keywords: Scriptwriting.
Script Format.
Emoji.
Ott.
Web-Series.
LayaR: Jurnal Ilmiah Seni Media Rekam.
Vol.
10 No.
2 Desember 2023
ABSTRAK
Penelitian ini mengeksplorasi peremajaan format naskah dengan adanya pemakaian emoji dalam penulisan naskah.
Meskipun penggunaannya luas dalam komunikasi digital, emoji belum diintegrasikan secara konvensional ke dalam naskah film.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyelidiki strategi penggunaan emoji sebagai elemen visual untuk memperkaya komunikasi dan membangkitkan emosi secara efektif dalam narasi film.
Studi kasus utama yang dianalisis dalam penelitian ini adalah serial web berbahasa Indonesia.
AuKenapa Gue?Ay, yang diproduksi oleh Vidio Originals.
Serial ini secara dominan menampilkan kehidupan di layar komputer dan ponsel pintar, dengan lihai merangkai berbagai platform digital untuk menciptakan sebuah misteri yang Emoji memainkan peran penting dalam "Kenapa Gue?" dengan menyampaikan emosi karakter secara visual dan meningkatkan keaslian dialog.
Melalui kajian mendalam mengenai dampak penyertaan emoji dalam skrip, penelitian ini mengkaji potensi manfaat dan tantangannya.
Dengan melakukan survei dan menganalisis studi kasus, dieksplorasi bagaimana integrasi kreatif emoji menumbuhkan lingkungan yang lebih menarik dan kolaboratif selama produksi, yang pada akhirnya meningkatkan narasi film.
Penelitian ini memperkenalkan perspektif baru tentang penulisan naskah, menyoroti perpaduan antara emoji dan pengisahan cerita kontemporer.
Dengan menganjurkan penyertaan emoji sebagai alat ekspresi dalam naskah, penelitian ini memposisikan emoji sebagai aset berharga dalam industri film, meremajakan seni penulisan naskah, dan meningkatkan ekspresi sinematik.
Kesimpulannya, penelitian ini menjembatani kesenjangan dalam praktik penulisan naskah konvensional, menginspirasi pembuat film dan penulis naskah untuk memanfaatkan kekuatan komunikatif emoji.
Menggunakan emoji sebagai bagian integral dari format naskah, membuka kemungkinan menarik untuk memperkuat penyampaian cerita di era digital, menjadikannya hal utama bagi inovasi sinematik Kata Kunci: Penulisan-Naskah.
Format-Naskah.
Emoji.
OTT.
Web-Series Having a finished film screen-
INTRODUCTION
Screenplay is a way of storytelling play.
is the first step to create a film.
using descriptive pictures, and dialogue, (Honthaner, 2010, p.
Film script will be contextualized within a dramatic structure read and analyzed by the film director.
The (Field, 2005, p.
Since screenplay is the Director then will explore the scriptAos base for film producers to approximate fullest creative potential before dividing production schedule, budget, and division tasks to all other departments (Rabiger & of tasks regarding all departments in film Hurbis - Cherrier, 2020, p.
Therefore.
Baskoro.
Eurico Ae Rejuvenating Script Format.
the way a film script is written can in- thoughts than using words alone.
45% of fluence the creative interpretation of film the respondents use emojis to quickly Most professional script writers respond to text or online messages.
submit Scripts that are formatted properly using Courier Final Draft font in 90-120 uniform sized pages (Honthaner, 2010.
A proper script should be constructed with a scene heading, visual description, and character dialogue.
(Riley, 2021.
The script format mentioned in Christopher RileyAos book Hollywood Standard has been practiced in many film Image 1: AdobeAos online research regarding The format has been a default reasons people use emoji in their communication in the United States as of in many modern script writing applica- April 2022.
(Source: Statist.
tions like Final Draft.
Writer Duet, and Celtx.
This format is an emulator of a typewriter.
In a story of modern society, the a typing machine thatAos commonly used depiction of emoji in the character's digital before digital computers are generally used messaging activity is also apparent.
Vidio by most of the population.
Original SeriesAo Kenapa Gue? was released However, as a film is a miniature of The series told a story about a an ever changing human life, the way a retaliation to a group of bullies, after a screenwriter writes the screenplay also bullied student.
Danu, committed suicide In modern digital society, digital in the online classroom session.
The bullies text messages have become a common way were later hunted down by a mysterious of communication.
One part of digital text Figure who threatens to take their lives, or messages is emoji.
Emoji are pictograms keeps them alive but these bullies must that can appear in text messages, email, commit social suicide by exposing their and social media platforms (Stark & darkest secret, which eventually will kill Crawford, 2015, p.
Emoji offers a way of them also.
In the series Kenapa Gue?, text expressing emotion in text based communi- messaging using emoji have become a part cation by adding pictures that represent of the character's action.
The research is emotional expression.
Adobe .
did an trying to examine the impact of emojis online research regarding the reason usage in Kenapa Gue character interaction.
people in the United States use emoji in By doing this research, the researchers their communication model.
68% of the expect to answer AuWhatAos the potential respondents believe that emojis in commu- benefit and challenges by using emojis in nication can make conversations more fun.
character interaction in Vidio Original 47% of the respondents answered emojis SeriesAo Kenapa Gue? .
? better communicate their feelings and LayaR: Jurnal Ilmiah Seni Media Rekam.
Vol.
10 No.
2 Desember 2023 Postcards from the Zoo .
, and METHODOLOGY This research employs a multifa- many more.
ceted methodology to investigate the incor- Teddy Soeriaatmadja, an award poration of emojis in scriptwriting for the winning and prominent Indonesian screen-life series "Kenapa Gue?" on Vidio film director with notable works OTT.
The methodology includes script such as: Lovely Man .
Berbalas analysis and in-depth interviews with key Kejam .
stakeholders of creative aspect of the script that will affected by the use of emojis: the director, actors/ actresses, and editor.
The researchers can gain access and interview the professionals and important Figures in these departments, they are:
Dom Dharmo, film director and the Figure 2: Interview with Dom Darmo.
Director of series director of Kenapa Gue? .
Vidio Original.
Kenapa Gue? .
Susilo Badar, an actor and prolific (Source: Personal research documentatio.
Indonesian acting coach who worked on big movies, such as: Tengge- We include a portion of the research lamnya Kapal Van der Wijk .
Exhibit, as shown in Figure 3 below.
The Suzanna film series .
, and researchers presented this Exhibit to the many more.
interviewee and discussed the context of Herman Panca, a film editor with emojis in scriptwriting.
The interviewee broad range of films, from box office viewed a script excerpt with described films like A Man Called Ahok emojis and a script excerpt with emojis .
, to festival-darling interna- attached to the script.
tional films such as: Bunohan .
Figure 3: Some part of research Exhibit (Source: personal research documentatio.
Content analysis was applied to the invited to participate in interviews follo- script to examine the strategic integration wing the script analysis.
The interviews of emojis.
Stakeholders were contacted and were conducted in Bahasa Indonesia via Baskoro.
Eurico Ae Rejuvenating Script Format.
recorded Zoom sessions.
Ethical conside- Descriptive rations included obtaining informed consent from interviewees and ensuring the protection of privacy and confidentiality.
This methodology integrates content analysis, script examination, and qualitative in-depth interviews to comprehensively explore the use of emojis in scriptwriting.
The objective is to uncover insights from Emojis key stakeholders and establish a robust foundation for understanding the creative and narrative implications of emoji integration within the storytelling context.
This comprehensive methodology ensures both rigor and depth in investigating how emojis enhance communication and emotional expression in film scripts and how they are perceived by industry experts.
Figure 3: Comparative script Exhibit 1.
(Source: Personal research documentatio.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION During the interviews, researchers In the Exhibit 1, as shown on Figure provide five different Exhibits for the inter- 3.
Dom Darmo as the director of Kenapa viewees to respond.
Researchers discuss Gue? .
stated that the descriptive the comparison of the script formats, format without any emoji apparent is more where the researchers and the interviewees discuss script excerpts, one with described filmmakers nowadays.
But.
Dom also emojis, and one with emoji put in the script mentions that the filmmakers will adapt .
s shown in Figure .
Each interviewee with a film script using emojis in the future.
individually gives the researchers their For Susilo Badar the usage of emoji in the interpretation regarding the script dis- first Exhibit will not hinder the actor's played and how the emojisAo apparent in creative process.
The Actor still has to script format affect their creative process.
achieve the same understanding with the LayaR: Jurnal Ilmiah Seni Media Rekam.
Vol.
10 No.
2 Desember 2023 film director and acting coach regarding characterAos teeth apparent, and a smile only how he/she will act in front of the camera.
with the character's eye movement.
Badar Herman Panca, a professional editor, believes emojis facilitate actors & actresses thinks the emojiAos apparent in the Exhibit to understand the character's emotion and compress the possibilities of interpreting expression effortlessly.
In the Exhibit 2 character imagination.
Panca also states context, the usage of specific smile emoji emoji interpretation is relative to its socio- directly gives the actor or actress how cultural context.
Teddy Soeriaatmadja as a he/she should smile.
But on the other hand, film director sees emoji in Exhibit 1 Badar also thinks emojis limit the creativity diminish the tonality of a story written by of an actor or actresses.
Herman Panca as a script writer.
For Teddy, emoji on a daily an editor also thinks that every different basis are associated with fun and playful emoji has its own interpretation.
This He stated that the fun & playful difference in interpretation might help nature of emoji may enhance the tonality of scriptwriters to deliver more messages in the stories if the script writer also meant to script better than using descriptive text.
tell a fun & playful story via script.
Herman Panca also shares that emojisAo variety is increasing by the time.
The increase of emojisAo variety will express more concise emotion, and might help script writer to deliver clearer and stronger messages to production crew in the future.
As for Teddy Soeriaatmadja, without knowing the context of the story in Exhibit 2, he cannot differentiate the feelings for Figure 4: Comparative script Exhibit 2.
each of the emoji.
He also mentioned that (Source: Personal research documentatio.
the kind of emoji used in the script will not In Exhibit 2.
Researchers provide a production process.
set of almost identical text dialogue as displayed in Figure 5.
The identical text dialogue then imbued with three different Descriptive emojis at the end.
Dom Darmo stated that different emojis will impact the interpretation of the actor regarding the emotion that character experiences in film.
Susilo Badar, also has similiar opinion in response to this Exhibit.
For Badar, thereAos three types of smiling: the one with the character's teeth apparent, without the Baskoro.
Eurico Ae Rejuvenating Script Format.
Emojis Descriptive Figure 5: Comparative script Exhibit 3.
Emojis (Source: Personal research documentatio.
In the third Exhibit.
Dom Darmo mentioned that the descriptive version of abbreviation ROTFL (Rolling on the Floor Laughin.
might not be familiar to readers compared to the pictogram version.
Susilo Badar also believes the pictogram emoji Figure 6: Comparative script Exhibit 4.
version, may transcend the language barri- (Source: Personal research documentatio.
er especially in a film production where not everyone speaks English fluently.
In the In the fourth Exhibit, the researchers context of the scene Exhibited, it helps the discuss the use of emoji as a prop.
The actor who acts as the reader of the text researchers showed Figure 6, two almost messages to feel the emotion within the identical scripts where a contact named text messages.
Teddy Soeriaatmadja pre- Babi .
n english: pi.
is displayed on one of fers to have the descriptive version, since the characterAos phones.
The descriptive for him, itAos easier to understand the version doesnAot have any emoji, while the psychology of the character through other is imbued by emoji at the end of the descriptive text.
The descriptive version Dom Darmo thinks that the emoji also gives the director some space to work usage in this context is not really helpful on the context and the final product.
for him.
For Dom, itAos better to use emoji to LayaR: Jurnal Ilmiah Seni Media Rekam.
Vol.
10 No.
2 Desember 2023 express feelings directly in dialogue.
Descriptive However.
Dom proposes a format where the text is changed with a characterAos name.
Dom thinks the proposed format will implicate the character's emotional state or relation regarding the character she/heAos communicating with.
Susilo Badar on the other hand thinks that emoji helps him to understand the character's hatred towards Emojis a character named AuBabiAy displayed in the mentioned that if the character AuBabiAy read this text, the character would be very upset, therefore affecting the actor's performance.
Herman Panca as an editor gives perspective regarding the pig emoticon.
Panca sees that pig emoji interpretation can also be affected by its socio-cultural Figure 7: Comparative script Exhibit 5.
If someoneAos having a bad- (Source: Personal research documentatio.
sentiment towards a pig animal, then the emoji creates a hatred impression towards In Exhibit 5, displayed at Figure 7, the AubabiAy character.
Because for Panca, itAos researchers provide two almost identical possible for a character to put the same The descriptive version describes emoji and think that AubabiAy is someone one of the characterAos reply with Aubanyak close for the reader, since color pink of pig For emoji airAy .
n english: a lot of water emoj.
Teddy While the emojis version displays an actual Soeriaatmadja, the emoji in this Exhibit emoji in the script.
Dom Darmo noticed also creates a fun tonality.
When Teddy thereAos a different context of emojiAos usage read the script he feels like the script writer in this context.
The version with actual tells him as a director if the story in this emoji in DomAos perspective resonates as a film has a fun and light tone.
verb in a sentence.
In DomAos opinion, the Baskoro.
Eurico Ae Rejuvenating Script Format.
character whoAos receiving text messages adapt with emoji apparent in script format.
with actual emoji will feel more degraded Researchers believe this to be a possibility than the text messages without actual since emojis are becoming more generally- used in society by the time.
From Susilo BadarAos perspective, the Another interesting point comes pictogram version provides a multi-pers- from Susilo Badar as acting coach.
believes thereAos a condition where emoji in interpretation regarding the dialo- script format is favorable.
For Badar.
The The pictogram could indicate Authe usage of emoji in script format would be character is drenched under the rainAy.
Authe very helpful for the actor or actress who character is having an orgasmAy, or Authe needs to grasp the essence and emotion of character is in showerAy.
Displayed emoji a character efficiently due to certain situa- also affect characterAos motivation, it creates tions like production schedule and director confusion & anger, strengthening the ac- understanding in acting discipline.
How- tor's emotion to act.
Herman Panca as an ever the usage of emoji might also limit the editor thinks the water emoji clearly creativity of an actor or actresses.
Without symbolize orgasm or sexual interaction emoji, actors or actresses need to find the between the characters.
For Teddy Soeria- expression of character through deeper atmadja, the emoji in Exhibit 5 makes the understanding regarding text, subtext, and script even funnier than the descriptive context of a scene.
By directly telling the Outside of the five exhibits dis- expression an actor should show using an played by researchers.
Herman Panca also emoji, the script writer might eliminate this shares how emoji might be able to help him Eliminating this process might during one of his projects in the past.
Panca create a benefit or hindrance depending on was editing a foreign film with a foreign the situation and film objective.
Herman language that he does not speak.
Panca Panca's analysis on how an emoji usage is believes that emoji might also be useful for affected by the socio-cultural context of the him to understand the content of the script user may support the response of Susilo if it was written by the script writer.
Badar.
By reading a specific emoji used by The interview was done via zoom a character in the script, the actor or actress meetings in September of 2023.
By the time might be able to establish the emotion and this research was conducted, emoji had motivation of a character based on specific already become a natural aspect in hu- socio-cultural context through pictograms.
manAos digital communication.
Therefore By increasing the variety of emojis, the the response of each interviewee may socio-cultural context variety it represents differ according to their experience with also increases by the time.
But this socio- emoji in digital communication.
Dom cultural context is also the reason why Darmo, the director of Kenapa Gue? .
Teddy Soeriaatmadja thinks that emoji believe that the filmmaker will be able to usage in script writing might be limited LayaR: Jurnal Ilmiah Seni Media Rekam.
Vol.
10 No.
2 Desember 2023 only to films with fun & light tonality.
conventional, but open to the idea if used Based on TeddyAos observation, emoji in the right context and precise film tone.
represent funnier and less formal inter- With the wider use of social media and action in real life.
The socio-cultural con- messaging apps, it will also expand the use text of emoji thatAos commonly used for less of emoji, which will be captured in films.
funnier and formal communication, might So rejuvenating script format with emoji diminished the tonality a scriptwriter might be inevitable.
When the film indus- trying to tell in a script for film like Seven try is introduced to better technology, the .
by David Fincher or Silence of the filmmakers who live inside the ecosystem Lamb .
by Jonathan Demme, which have a choice to embrace, and use the best had more tension and suspense in the out of it.
Scriptwriters must be skilled to For Teddy, putting emoji in a pick a correct diction and symbol which script might create unnecessary experience will make the readers to have a clear idea while reading the script if not used in the right script and story.
This implies that understand his readers and speaks their there are type of stories and film that might languages, sometimes they must avoid be good to be written with emojis applied using unusual terms, idioms, or slang in at certain parts.
This implication might their script.
The use of emoji will break this spark a new question, whether a visual boundaries, since emoji, presented in material can be included in a script will pictures, is perceived as more universal affect the production flow in terms of its The use of emoji shows some time and complexity.
benefit in scriptwriting.
The use of emoji Scriptwriters This study has limitations.
For fur- will show a clearer emotion of the ther studies, the researchers propose to characters depicted in the film.
For have wider and more variety of respon- researchers of this journal, who also a dents: roles in filmmaking, age groups, and professional scriptwriter, this study is an Longer and deeper inter- entry point to make scriptwriting format to views will allow researchers to extract be more dynamic.
There are many cases more insightful perspective from the when scriptwriter has gaps with the Further researches might production team to materialize the script also necessary to study this matter invol- that has been written.
With more dynamic ving filmmakers scriptwriting format, the writers hope that generations: Generation Z and Generation the gaps can be narrowed down and will Alpha.
make the creative process to be more effective and efficient.
CONCLUSION
Using emoji in scriptwriting looks After interviewing some of the key like make the scriptwriting job to be easier.
In fact, the scriptwriters will face a new researchers find that the use of emoji is not challenge: choosing the correct emoji to Baskoro.
Eurico Ae Rejuvenating Script Format.
apply on the script.
When the correct emoji Honthaner.
Li.
The Complete is chosen and put in place, the whole Production Handbook - Fourth Edition.
production process will gets easier.
Burlington: Elsevier.
Panca.
Interviewed by Baskoro Adi
REFERENCES