How to write a full-fledged script?

Want to write a script? WikiHow advises you to do the following:

1. We study the features of writing a script

1. Make a title page. Your script needs a title page with your title and name on it. It should also contain your contact information and your agent (if you have one).

2. Use the right font, margins, and spacing. You should use a Courier font (typewriter font), 12 points high. This will give your script a more professional look and improve the readability of the test. You should also choose the right indentation for different parts of the script so that dialogues, scene descriptions and the like are separated from each other.

3. Add the right details about the scene and characters. For each scene, write an introduction: it tells you where and when the action takes place – indoors or outdoors, day or night…

4. a character’s name should be written in capital letters above or next to his or her line (depending on the purpose). In addition, remarks about the nature of the line or the character’s actions can be added in parentheses. There is a specific format for each type of script, whether it is a movie or a play. And while they are mostly the same, each has its own distinctive features, which may take time to learn.

5. Read a few screenplays of your chosen genre to learn from the professionals. Don’t write too much. It usually takes about a minute to read one page of a screenplay, so there should be plenty of room on paper.In this sense, a screenplay is not like a book – it is characterized by a smaller amount of writing.

2. Developing the plot

Formulate the basis of the story. Write a short sentence or phrase that encapsulates the main idea around which events will develop. This is the basis of the narrative, a very short thought that forms the purpose of the events and development of the story. Make an outline of the story. Before writing the actual script and dialogues, think through the basis of the story and the main events – this will help you develop the narrative logically and not go too far in digressions. The outline should be written in third person. It’s time to saturate the story with details. Describe the main intrigue of the piece, but add a lot of details and variants of events; now you can not think about the formatting style and the like – let your creativity run wild. As a result, you should get the plot, the personalities of the characters, the relationships, the connections of the characters, and the very essence of the story. You can use drawings and diagrams for clarity to clearly show others the intrigue and characters of the script. Your characters should be the engines of events on the screen or stage, so make sure they are interesting and new. You don’t have to think them through to detail right away, but they should “get into” their own roles while the script is being written. Now you need to organize everything and throw out the extra stuff. When the script is on paper, you need to find all the weak spots, overloading descriptions, too strong digressions – and in general, anything that drags the course of events and weakens the impression of what is happening. You’ll need toughness: even if you’ve grown to love certain moments or characters, it doesn’t mean you should keep them in the script after the revision.

3. Improving the script

With an outline of your script ready, do your research: look at plays, TV shows, and movies with a similar storyline to yours. Compare your work with others. Perhaps you’ve overdone it – gotten carried away with the tropes, for example? Think about how your work differs from the ones you’ve seen? Try to feel deeply about what you’ve written. Take a philosophical approach to the topic and try to think outside the box. This way your script will be more engaging. Simplify your style. You don’t need fancy dialogue or crazy scenes to hold the audience’s interest. As with writing a book, the most valuable thing is to show what’s happening, not to tell it. Let the characters’ actions speak for them, give more meaning to the untold. Write out the plot in script format. The exact form will vary depending on the way it is shown and even the geography. Each scene should have a title with a description, and each line should have the name of the character saying it, and so on. Producers may not even look at a script that doesn’t fit the format. At this point in the process, consider acquiring a scriptwriting program. There are several such programs, and they will help you give the text the right look. Maintain your style. Remember that action and dialogue are central to the script. Try to make sure that your characters speak realistically and don’t mix up the style and vocabulary, unless you’re doing it on purpose for effect.

4. How to captivate the audience

Describe the scene. Don’t forget important details (e.g., time of day), the place of action, and the behavior of the characters. This is just as important as the dialogue itself. Describe the action briefly. Convey the meaning of what happens, and leave the details to the director. Writing down the events “to the millimeter” is not the task of the writer. Including too much detail in the description will only make you frustrated in the end. Take a lot of time to work on the dialogue part. Dialogue can both make a character interesting or destroy it. What’s worse, most people have an exceptionally hard time writing dialogue. To get the results you want, record real conversations – so you can understand how people talk in life and what expressions they use. Listen to more people – so you can give the character interesting features and personality. In order for the characters not to look like each other, they must have their own image and their own “voice”. Remember: the character’s image determines his or her position, choice of words, and manner of speech. Read your dialogues aloud, paying special attention to the sound: isn’t it too insecure, casual or excessive.

5. Making the final version

Edit the script, but don’t go overboard with perfectionism: strive for perfection, but don’t try to bring your work to it. Let people whose opinions you respect read the finished script. Reach out to people with different tastes and personalities. It’s also important that they want to give you honest feedback on your work. Don’t let yourself get upset, offended or angry over criticism or comments – they are just opinions, not facts. Accept others’ opinions with kindness and enthusiasm, but remember: it’s up to you to change things or not. Edit your work as many times as necessary. It may be frustrating at times, but you’ll be glad you were able to get your vision across in the end.

Tips:

Decide on the genre of the script. If it’s a comedy, make sure others find it funny too. If you’re writing a drama, make the dialogues dramatic and compelling. The script should sound like life – not like it’s a robot voice. If you’ve written a screenplay, try using one of the services to find new scripts – then your work will be evaluated by professionals, and for its safety will not have to fear. The script for the play should have a title page with the title, author’s name and approximate duration. Stage and other remarks should be written in italics. Before you write the word “screenplay” on your work, check it for plagiarism. This can be done online. You might want to attend a screenwriting course – you can gain useful skills there, especially in terms of plot development, characters or dialogue writing. Make your script as original as possible.

Warnings

Have patience – writing takes time, and the results of work in a hurry are usually not at the proper level. Dedicate time to writing, and you’ll have a great script. Do not expect that your first script will immediately be in demand. This business is not easy to get into. If you want to make a production, you will need an agent to help pass the script to producers and directors. Usually the script acceptance process is long and difficult, so be patient.