The world of cinema is quite competitive. You may have the best idea of all time for making a movie, but if the script isn't in the correct format, chances are it will never be read. Follow these steps to increase your chances of seeing your idea projected on the big screen.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Get started
Step 1. First, you need to know what a script is
The screenplay defines all the elements (audiovisual, behavioral and interactional) necessary to tell a story through a film, whether it is intended for cinema or television.
- The screenplay is almost never the result of the work of one person. Instead, she undergoes revisions and reformulations, and is ultimately played by producers, directors and actors.
- Cinema and television are audiovisual media. This means you have to write the script in a way that understands the sonic and visual aspects of the story. Focus on describing images and sounds as you write.
Step 2. Read the scripts of some of your favorite movies
Search for movie scripts online and decide which aspects you prefer or dislike within them. You need to get an idea of how the action is portrayed, the writing of the dialogue and the development of the characters.
Step 3. Investigate your idea
Assuming you already have an idea of the topic you want to write about, define all the plot details, relationships and necessary character traits that will guide you in writing. What are the essential elements of your idea? How do your characters interact and why? What is the context in which the action develops? Are there any holes in the plot? Write notes on these factors in your preferred format.
Method 2 of 3: Writing the Screenplay
Step 1. Outline the story
Start with a basic narrative flow. Focus on the conflict of the story - it's a key factor in making it compelling.
- Keep the length in mind. Refer to the classic format of a screenplay: each page corresponds to about a minute of video. For a film that averages two hours, the script should be 120 pages long. Drama films last approximately two hours, while comedies should be shorter, lasting approximately one and a half hours.
- Also keep in mind that unless the writer is already known, has contacts, or the idea is extremely lucrative, the odds of a long script being chosen are not realistic. If the story you want to tell cannot be condensed into less than two hours of film, it would be better to turn it into a novel.
Step 2. Write the story in three acts
The pillars of a script are these parts. Each act can have an independent function, but, together with the others, it contributes to the complete development of the story.
- First act: represents the introduction of the story. It presents the setting and the characters. Set the tone for the story (comedy, action, romantic comedy, etc.). Introduce the protagonist, and begin exploring the conducting conflict. Once the main character sets off towards a goal, then the second act begins. For drama films, the first act usually consists of 30 pages, for comedies, 24.
- Second act: this act constitutes the main part of the story. The protagonist faces obstacles on the way to resolving the conflict. Generally, subplots are presented at this point. During the second act, the main character should show signs of change. In drama films, it consists of 60 pages; in comedies, from 48.
- Third act: in this act, the story reaches its resolution. This part contains the twist of the story, and ends with the final stages to reach the goal. Since the story has already been extensively illustrated in the second act, the third has a much faster and more condensed pace. In drama films, the third act typically consists of 30 pages. In the comedies, from 24.
Step 3. Add the sequences
The sequences are the parts of the story that have a function somewhat independent of the main conflict. They consist of a beginning, a middle and an end. A classic sequence consists of about 10-15 pages and tends to focus on a specific character.
The sequences present a separate tension from the main story, and often affect the unfolding of the central plot
Step 4. Start writing the scenes
The scenes are the events of the film. They develop in specific settings and have the function of advancing the story. If a scene does not have this function, then it should be deleted from the script. Scenes that are of no use to the public will be flaws in the plot, and will reduce the quality of the story.
Step 5. Start writing the dialogues
Once you've established the scenes, you need to enter the interactions between the characters. The dialogues are one of the most difficult passages of the writing. Each character has their own, distinct and credible voice.
- A realistic dialogue is not necessarily of quality. Conversations should focus on story advancement and character development. Don't bother trying to capture reality in dialogue, because real-life conversations are often flat and monotonous.
- Read the dialogues aloud. Do they seem uncertain, stereotyped or out of place? Do all the characters express themselves in the same way?
Step 6. Eliminate the dead weights
Now that you have all your ideas on paper, look for connections, distractions and all other weak and self-serving aspects. Does history seem to take a back seat at times? Are there any unnecessary details or repetitions? Do you show confidence in the audience's deductive abilities? If there are parts that are redundant or that don't advance the story, cut them.
Step 7. Show your finished work to a few friends
Choose people with different backgrounds and tastes to get a good variety of opinions. Claim the pure cold truth. You should receive constructive criticism, not flattery or lies.
Step 8. Correct your work as many times as necessary
At first, it might be difficult, but in the end, you'll be happy that you took the time to adequately convey your idea.
Method 3 of 3: Format the Screenplay
Step 1. Establish the page format
The scripts are written on 21x30 cm paper, usually with 3 holes on the left margin. The upper and lower margins have a length between 1, 2 cm and 2, 5 cm. The left margin is 3-4 cm, while the right 1, 2-2, 5 cm.
Page numbers should be entered at the top right. The cover should not be numbered
Step 2. Choose the font
The scripts are written with the Courier 12 points. This is mainly due to timing reasons. A screenplay page written in Courier 12 is equivalent to approximately one minute of film.
Step 3. Format the elements of the script
There are several parts of the script that require specific formatting to fit industry standards:
-
Stage indications. They specify the setting and describe the place where the action takes place so that the reader can orient himself. This information is written entirely in uppercase. First, indicate whether it is an internal or external scene by writing INT.
or EAST.
Then, continue with the place and time of day. Never end a page with a scene indication, insert it in the next sheet.
- Action. These parts consist of a descriptive text. Write in the present and with an active voice. Paragraphs should be short to avoid distracting the reader. A good paragraph should consist of 3-5 lines.
- Name of the character. Before a dialogue begins, you must write the character's name completely in capital letters and with an indentation of approximately 9 cm from the left margin. This information can be expressed with the character's real name, his description (if he had not been baptized) or his professional title. If the speaking character does not appear on the screen, write O. S., that is, off screen, next to its name. If it is narrating, it should be written F. C., ie "home run", next to the name.
- Dialogue. When a character speaks, the text should have an indentation of about 6 cm from the left margin, and be 5-6 cm from the right. The dialogue goes directly under the character's name.
Advice
- Look for books on scriptwriting in the library. Many former filmmakers and producers have written guides that help people in the same situation as you.
- Try to develop the story by letting it evolve naturally. Many novice writers think that every second must be more exciting than the last, while others suddenly jump between excitement and utter boredom. Make sure the story progresses gradually so that the adrenaline builds up to climax.
- You could buy software to help you write scripts. There are several programs available that will guide you in formatting or even in converting an already written script into the right format.
- Participate in forums dedicated to writing scripts. Thanks to the exchange with your colleagues, you can have specific suggestions and ideas, but also meet people and arouse interest in your work.
- The concept or main point of interest should be presented in the first 10 pages. This is the part that convinces the producer to keep reading!
- Sign up for creative writing courses. Writing a screenplay is just as difficult as other forms of writing, and it takes just as much time. If you haven't practiced enough in a school, it will be even more complicated to write it.
- You could also enroll in a faculty that specializes in teaching screenwriting. Consider the DAMS degree courses, which are located in different cities, or the training proposals of the National Academy of Cinema, which also offers you the opportunity to do a master's degree in the USA.
Warnings
- Draw inspiration from the work of others, but never use someone else's ideas directly to write. This is legally and morally reprehensible.
- Don't give your script to the first who passes: ideas are easily stolen. A good way to prevent this, or at least prove that you wrote the script, is to register the complete work at SIAE. This way, the document and your work are protected. Visit the website for various information on this.
