Steps of Writing a Script
Scriptwriting is an art. As with any art, the more you commit to doing it, the better your result will be. With a basic understanding of the development process as well as a general grasp of the rules for formatting you can produce a script that will fit the standard mold and allow you to submit your story to any number of venues.
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Telling the Story
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Generally a script is written in three parts—beginning, middle and end. A typical page count for a script is 120; the first 30 of those pages set up the story. In this first part, the introduction of the main character and a description of where they live or work, including the conditions that surround them, will be laid out. The “beginning” will also set the scene for the story—time and place. This setup will tell the audience the genre of the story—action, romantic comedy, drama or documentary.
Introducing Conflict
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During the first 30 pages, the main character’s conflict will be revealed. Conflict can be internal or external. What is it that upsets the main character’s life? A tornado that rips apart the family home is an example of an external conflict, while coming to terms with the loss caused by the tornado is an internal conflict. The “middle” explains the goal of the main character and what they need to do to accomplish the goal.
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Plot Twists
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To avoid boredom—both the writer’s as well as that of the audience—plot twists and turns will be introduced in the middle of the story. Just when things start to calm down and it appears as though the main character is in control, the action will send it spinning again. These plot twists are what keeps the audience interested until the credits roll. There are usually two major plot twists in a feature film. Plot twists will send the main character down another road, keep the action rolling, and the audience guessing. They are usually written at the end of the beginning act and then again at the end of the middle act.
Script Format.
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Even a good script is likely to get passed over if it is written incorrectly. Adhering to a traditional format is recommended. In a traditional feature film format each character is introduced in all CAPS and in the middle of the page. The headers for the page tell if it is an interior (INT) or exterior (EXT) location and what time of day or night it is. Dialogue is centered, while headers and narrative copy are justified left.
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References
Resources
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