1
0
So, you want to dive into the art of scriptwriting? Great choice! Let’s break it down from the basics, catering to those who are just starting out.
- A script: what is it? Have you ever wondered how long writing a script takes? The most important thing is to know how to write a basic plot. These are typical queries exchanged between aspiring screenwriters and storytellers.
Alright, let me break it down. A script is typically a written work spanning around 90-120 pages (in 12-point Courier font), translating your creative words into scenes and dialogues on the screen.
On the surface, attempting to write a script or screenplay may seem deceptively simple, partly because everyone inherently understands the language of telling a cinematic story.
Growing up watching films is an inevitable (and essential) part of becoming a storyteller – predicting the next move of a character, when the dialogue or scene locations will change, or when the villain will make an entrance. It’s like peering through a window. If you know movies, you already have a good sense of how to write a screenplay, don’t you?
Another aspect of the script’s nature is its text density – it creates a lot of blank spaces on the page. Anyone who has spent time in a script editor knows the feeling of typing away, suddenly finding themselves with ten, twenty, or even thirty pages of searchingly labyrinthine experience.
Wow, that was a lot, wasn't it?
The Challenge: Balancing Art and Technicalities
The problem is that scripts are as much works of art as they are technical documents. You can create a beautiful, heart-touching, and original script that becomes entirely impractical due to your writing style.
You might end up with a script of a hundred and fifty pages that will only accommodate forty minutes of screen time. The likelihood of errors in scriptwriting is high because a script is not just a story meant to be read; it’s a puzzle meant to be solved, making it a bit bigger and more complex. So, how do you bring a good story to life? I mean, how does one write a good script? For those new to this art, here are some straightforward and useful directions to put you on the right path:
How to Write a Script – A Basic 5-Step Guide:
Step 1 – Create a Logline and Develop Your Characters:
Kickstart the script-writing process by crafting a compelling logline: one or two sentences that will present your story in an intriguing way. After you’ve mastered it, proceed to character development. Write their backstories, delve into their previous experiences, and refine their personalities.
Consider what troubles them and ensure your characters have realistic goals. Always make sure your characters have tangible objectives, and if they fail to achieve them, it has a significant impact. This doesn’t mean their goals need to be grand; they just need to be authentic. The stakes can be as big as saving the world or as personal as the end of a friendship.
The key is that the characters’ goals make them interesting. Flat characters can derail a script. It doesn’t matter how fantastic your action sequences are or how original your concept is; bland and uninteresting characters will sabotage your story.
Step 2 – Write an Outline:
An outline (sometimes called a ‘beat sheet’) is a concise summary of your entire story. Try to fit it on one or two pages and keep it concise. Broad strokes are crucial here. Think of the outline as the ‘blueprint’ of your script, outlining the pace, major plot points, and breaking the narrative at crucial junctures.
Traditional cinematic storytelling often adheres to three-act structures. While many books have been written about the subject, the basics are quite simple. A standard script is typically around ninety to one hundred pages.
- Divide those pages into three parts. Your job is to:
- Introduce the first person, give an overview of your characters and setting, and show an inciting incident that propels the story forward.
- The second part is where your characters face obstacles, as the story takes a turn for the worse.
- The third part is where the conflict reaches its climax (think about the end game), after which the story slows down, resolving itself. Don’t think in terms of numbers here – there’s plenty of room for twists and turns.
Step 3 – Write a Treatment:
Now it’s time to flex your prose muscles and develop your style. Treatments are more detailed versions of your outline. Explain it, scene by scene, in traditional script format or narrative prose. Use dialogue sparingly, or at least focus on what you want your characters to convey. Develop your settings and enjoy detailing your story with descriptions.
The treatment is where you start constructing the world in which your story unfolds. The length of the treatment depends on both the type of story you’re telling and your desired final product.
For reference, a feature film treatment is typically around thirty pages.
Step 4 – Write Your Script:
It’s showtime! You’ve developed your characters, created an outline, and detailed your story in a treatment. Now, understand formatting, write in the present tense, and remember, you’re writing for the eyes and ears. Show, don’t tell: you’re painting a visual and auditory picture.
Bonus Screenwriting Tip #1:
If you’re feeling a bit creatively stuck, taking notes on interesting conversations, news articles, or observations from people you encounter can be a great technique. Keep it simple – jot down notes on your phone or notepad.
Step 5 – Rewrite Your Script (and then again):
Finishing the first draft is a milestone worth celebrating, but it’s just the beginning. Go back, read it through, cut unnecessary content, and add substance where needed. Encourage others to read it, be open to creative criticism, and not just from professionals. Science fiction enthusiasts or fans of classic films can offer insights similar to those of an experienced scriptwriter.
Throw your script out there and surround yourself with the thoughts that come back. Always revise and keep refining. If you feel you’ve hit a wall and can’t possibly revise anymore, do it again.
It all depends on practice. Most professional scriptwriters go through several drafts before churning out a marketable script. Some exceptional writers trash their first drafts. Everyone will agree – you need to be committed, and most importantly, you need to love your story
To sum up:
Like any new challenge or project, the inspiration and desire to see your screenplay through to the end will have its ups and downs. Anticipating those challenging moments where you’re not sure how to carry on with this massive effort is normal. It’s okay! And it’s an experience every writer regularly faces.
Keep an eye out for those ‘writer’s block’ moments; often, the best insights and creativity are found in the daily struggles. Stay focused, pay attention, and keep your creative antenna active throughout this process.
If you’re preparing for those ‘writer’s block’ moments, you’re preparing yourself to overcome that obstacle successfully. Additionally, if you join the writers’ community, you’re in good company because countless notable scriptwriters have been there and done that.”
Average Rating