How to Write an Indie Film Script
Want to write an independent film script that can be made into the next hip, edgy movie that bursts into popularity? Have a story that is burning to be told and just needs to find an audience? It is important to understand how an indie screenplay is different from a blockbuster. For independent films, everything depends on the quality of the script. By definition, there is no budget for bells and whistles to delight and distract from any weaknesses in the story. There will also be no A-list stars to build a marketing campaign around and draw people into the theaters. Here are steps and tips for writing an independent film script.
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Things You'll Need
- Great Story Idea
- Computer with Internet Connection
- Scriptwriting Software
Instructions
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How to Write an Independent Film Script
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1
Choose a story that is worth telling. Find a topic or idea that is important, shocking, tragic, or controversial. Don’t follow trends or write about what seems easy to market if there is no energy or inspiration behind it. Passion for the story will give motivation to complete the whole writing process and finish the independent film script.
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2
Download and install script formatting software. Screenplays have a very specialized formatting style. The software does the formatting automatically, which saves time and takes the headache out of it. Final Draft (http://www.finaldraft.com/) is the industry standard. There is also Celtx (http://www.celtx.com/), which is free and works very well.
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Read this article from Script Frenzy, “How to Format a Screenplay” (http://www.scriptfrenzy.org./howtoformatascreenplay) to understand the formatting and style elements.
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Read some scripts. Pay attention to dialogue, descriptions and pacing. Start with the script of a familiar film to see how the scenes were described. Next, read an unfamiliar film and imagine how it plays. There are some sites that have screenplays available to read online, like Daily Script (http://www.dailyscript.com/) and Script-O-Rama (http://www.script-o-rama.com/snazzy/dircut.html).
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Outline the plot for the independent film script. Use as much or as little detail as needed. Some writers plan everything out first and others are more organic, shaping the plot and researching the details along the way. Use the classic three act story structure if it is helpful, but be free to do something different if that doesn't work.
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Consider what can be shot on an independent film budget. Keep the number of locations and characters to a minimum. Stay away from big action and special effects scenes. Crowds of extras, fancy make-up effects, explosions, and preparing locations for shooting take a lot of time and money. Make a list of required locations. Make a list of any special effects scenes or sequences. Make a list of all the characters. Review each list and cut out everything that isn’t absolutely essential so that the script can fit an indie film budget.
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Focus on the characters in the independent film. Know them well. Write detailed descriptions of them. Include personality traits, beliefs, education, hobbies, pet peeves, motivations, dreams, strengths and weaknesses. Use the descriptions as a guide to their behaviors, reactions, decisions and relationships with other characters.
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Develop a good sense of dialogue. Send some time listening to conversations and read some scenes from scripts that have strong dialogue.
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Use images and actions to communicate as much plot and character information as possible. Show a character working to establish a job. Dress a rich character in expensive-looking clothes.
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Complete the draft of the independent film script. Keep writing every day as much as possible. Don’t evaluate or be critical yet.
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Mold and polish the draft into a brilliant independent film script by editing. Turn a critical eye on it and pay attention to the details. Get an outside opinion from a trustworthy reader. Revise, change scenes around, and add or delete scenes as needed. Proofread carefully.
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Tips & Warnings
Script Frenzy is an annual challenge to start and finish a 100-page script in the month of April. There are helpful articles and links to resources for screenwriting at their site.
Realistic dialogue is a hallmark of indie films. Well-written dialogue develops the characters and serves the story. Even when there are fantasy or horror elements, the dialogue has to come naturally from the setting, specific situation, and personality or purposes of the character speaking.
When stuck in some details or having trouble making a decision about a particular scene, go back to the core of the story and keep going. Try skipping ahead to another scene and come back to the sticky part later. It will take discipline and patience to finish the draft of the independent film script.
Resources
- Photo Credit Cheryl Hedlund
