Monday, 21 November 2011
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Monday, 7 February 2011
Writing a Script
Getting the format of a script isn't just for show. There are practical reasons for many of the conventions of script formats, also if you send a script to a producer in the wrong format it looks amateurish and is far more likely to get thrown in the bin. Here is a list of specifications you MUST use when writing a script in Media Studies:
- 12pt Dark Courier (available here)
- Left margin: 1.6in (4.06cm)
- Right margin: 3/4in (1.9cm)
- Dialogue: 2.6in (6.5cm)
- Character Name: 3.9in (10.0cm)
- Parentheticals: 3.3in (8.0cm)
- Character Names: Upper case on first introduction, lower case from then on
- CAPITALISE: Significant props and sound (eg. a KNIFE, a BANG)
- CAPITALISE: Key points of direction (eg. ZOOM, JUMP-CUT)
Parentheticals are brief descriptions underneath (and slightly to the left) of the character name which direct the actor how to deliver the line; they are less common nowadays as they tend to have been over-used, try to limit your use of these.
Some things to avoid:
- Wooden lines - use real life wording, don't describe the action or plot through the words
- 'On the nose' - don't describe too literally and never allow your characters to Q&A each other
- Predictable - don't use cliches or boring lines like 'I love you' unless you have a really good reason
- Lacking in variety - use dialogue to convey the character, but make them 'three dimensional' nobody uses monosyllabic words all of the time, equally not many actors are capable of delivering streams of very high reading-age script
- Preachy - deliver your 'message' through the story, not through the dialogue.
- Wordy - not too much dialogue. Film is a visual medium: show, don't tell. Speech should fit the character; think about this when you create your character. make a pool of words that your character might use and don't write anything too far above or below those words.
Also:
- Character should sound different to each other
- They shouldn't sound like you
- don't over-emphasise distinguishing characteristics or they will sound fake.
- make the dialogue speakable (think of your actors!)
- don't use scenes just for exposition (have a purpose to everything)
- enter a scene as late in the action as possible and exit as soon as the scene's purpose is complete (think of your audience: very short attention span)
- be careful of profanity: audiences don't associate with heroes who swear all the time: use it carefully and sparingly.
Description:
This should make up the bulk of your script:
65% description - 35% dialogue
- write in the present tense
- describe only what is necessary to the STORY
- don't describe anything which cannot be seen.
- keep description simple
- define the world and tell story events; anything else is superfluous (not necessary)
- describe things as you see them, but don't direct the film
- don't over-write; be succinct (efficient with your wording)
Happy scriptwriting!
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
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