Are you a content writer or a college student who wants to entertain a screenplay? But you don’t know what is script writing? No problem. Now, you are here; we will guide you from scratch.
Composing a script can be a tedious task if you jump to the writing section. Therefore, start by understanding the types of script writing requirements.
Hence, in this guide, we will discuss the fundamentals of screenwriting, its types, and its usage. So if you are ready, let’s dive into the details.
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What Is Script Writing?
Script writing, exchangeably used with screenwriting, is the art of creating scripts for mass media such as theatres, feature films, documentaries, television productions (news, shows, and ads), or video games.
In modern times, screenplays are also created for social media platforms like youtube videos, web series, online ads, business promotion ads, etc.
Broadly, writing a script includes:
- Action, movement, expression, and dialogue of the characters.
- Visual representation of every scene based on the actions and dialogues
- Individual characters presentation, responsibility, effort, dialogue
- Explanation of situations, twists, and conclusion of the story
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How Is Screenwriting Different From Other Writing Formats?
Writing scripts is different from writing essays, research papers, and other formats. It is not even similar, to writing a novel. Wonder, how?
A novel is an imaginary presentation of a story where each scene is described enough to imagine the reader. Contrary to this, script writing is written with the objective of visual representation. Everythings written on a script is not about dialogue but has to be presented visually. Hence, the screenplay is a combination of dialogue and visuals.
Further, if you are planning to pursue screenwriting as a career, you should know its types.
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What Are The Types Of Script Writing?
To understand what is script writing, you should have an idea of its types first.
You must have watched films, web series, short films, animated tv series, or have played video games. But have you noticed the difference among their scripts?
Let’s understand the types of script writing in brief.
1. Featured Film/Movie
Writing scripts for a featured film or movie is a part of screenplays. It can be created either by a writer or a team of writers. Once the first draft of the script is created, it can be edited or modified later based on the requirement.
Most of its parts are either fiction or tell a story. It includes various information such as dialogues, camera, setting, instructions, and instructions for editing. If you’re a newbie, you should not expect the exact script to be played. In other respect, the script is tweaked on the spot or by the director, producer, and actors.
2. Writing Daily T.V. Soaps
Television series or daily soaps are very similar to writing featured films. This is also called a live-action series. It can be serial or episodic. Though, the length and time for daily soaps in total is more than films. Half-an-hour video for five days for several months, that’s how it works.
Further, each minute detail is shown in a detailed manner like the place of action, their style, costumes and accessories, makeup, and others.
Since the period is at least six months or more, the script can have several plots and twists. Further, it is not written by an individual writer, but a team of writers working in collaboration. You may design your plot, subplots, dialogues, new characters, but sometimes assign someone else’s script.
3. Web Series And Mini-Series
Short films/documentaries/videos are small production teamwork. Hence this type of script writing is usually done by an individual writer. Here the writer may wear many hats by acting as the producer, director, or actor.
4. Short-Film/Documentaries/Videos
Short films and video content are produced in terms of documentaries, narrative fiction, or biography style. The time for these videos is comparatively shorter than for firms; hence it varies from 20 to 40 minutes.
5. Animated T.V. Series
Similar to tv series, animated tv series can also be episodic. The real actors work behind the scenes, and their animated aversion is displayed on the screen.
Along with that, the length for an episode of 30 minutes actually shows a 22 minutes program. Rest time is dedicated to tv advertisements.
6. Video Games
Writers working for the gaming industry do not always write scripts for dialogues. Instead, they work closely with video game designers and assist them in creating plots, movements, actions, and sequences of events that support the concept of the game show. Now, let’s move to another section where we will discuss how to write a script.
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Steps-By-Step Guide: How To Write A Script
Here, we will understand the steps of writing scripts in the way professional writers draft, polish, and format.
1. Write Your Logline
A logline is a one-line sentence that asks what your story is about. It defines the lead character’s objective. Will they succeed at achieving it?
It will form the structural spine of your entire narrative. In that order, you can also ask these questions to complete your logline
- How does the protagonist fall in a specific citation?
- What is the turning point of his life?
- Why does he want to achieve a particular goal?
- What is the world your story revolves around?
- Will the characters meet at the end?
- Will the hero be able to stop the bad guy?
Note that you should try to summarize the whole concept in 50 or fewer words. Do not use the character’s name but use what they are (profession or situational presentation). Most importantly, do not provide any spoilers.
2. Create your world
Think of the location dedicated to your genre. Consider time period, weather and climate conditions, story themes, and locations as explained below:
- Time period: There is no need to mention the exact time but to present where it takes place; past, present, or future.
- Weather and climate conditions: is it a sunny or a cold region? Impact of weather and climatic conditions on your character and overall plot.
- Story themes: decide the theme of your story in the context of the message you want to convey and the conclusion it will lead to.
- Location: the place your character’s journey will start and ends.
3. Develop Your Characters
Main character: Now, the time is to career your main character of the story. Determine your character’s strengths, flows, goals, and obstacles that keep coming throughout the journey.
Other characters: for other characters, you need to determine:
- How are they related to the main character?
- Their interaction cause and place
- Are they in support or against the protagonist?
Antagonist
- What do antagonists want from the main character?
- How do they assist the protagonist?
- What do antagonists do to stop the protagonist from achieving the goal?
4. Create A Synopsis For Your Story
Done with all basic needs, now you need to create the outline or synopsis for your screenplay. Typically it should include:
- An introduction – main character and their world
- An inciting incident – that moves the story forward
- First rigger or turning point – first situation that challenges the main character
- Call to action – the protagonist decided upon his goal.
- No turning back point/situation- a terrible incident where the protagonist loses everything or is left with any choice to turn back.
- Extremity– the main character lost everything and is in grave danger
- Second turning point – the protagonist is all determined to lead his way
- Climax – the story reaches a conclusion.
5. It’s Time For Your First Draft
Here comes the real hard work. You can follow the steps to create your first draft of the story.
- Compose a scene of conflicts and challenges your main character
- Another scene where the main character overcomes the situation
There is always a first time, and so you should write it out without hesitation. You can rewrite and install other ideas later. Further, include lines from the loglines that help readers to understand the story and act accordingly.
6. Format Your Screenplay
You are done writing the first draft. Now, you have to format it to look professional and in line with script writing’s basic guidelines.
You can use script writing software like WriterDuet, Final Draft, or Amazon Story writer. These tools automatically format the script.
- Margin: Keep a 1-inch margin on the top, bottom, and right sides. And a half-inch extra on the left side that is a 1.5-inch margin for binding.
- Fade in/fade out: To signify the film’s beginning, start with “Fade in” at the top right corner of the page. And, to indicate the end of the script, write “Fade out” or “Fade to black.”
- Scene Heading: It is a slugline of a script where you have to mention the time and location of the scene in capital letters. For example- “EXT. CAPITOL CITY – NIGHT.”
- Action Lines: use the present tense and visual movement of the character.
- Character’s Dialogue: Write the character’s name in capital letters and dialogue underneath it, and center both texts.
- Parentheticals: To represent the specific mood or expression underneath the character’s dialogue. For example- “(Long-faced).”
- Extension: To show the on-screen and off-screen activity. Use “(V.O.)” to denote voice-over and “(O.S.)” for off-screen.
- Mores and Continued: Use these words between pages to show the character is speaking
- Transition: (only for production scripts) CUT To, QUICK CUT, FADE TO, DISSOLVE TO, SMASH TO
- Shot: (only for production scripts) to show the scene is changed – ANGLE ON, EXTREME CLOSE UP, PANTO, POV
- Intercut: To cut instructions between scene locations.
7. Re-Read And Edit Your Screenplay
This is a crucial stage that no writer should skip. Re-read the entire script and do the following:
- make changes where needed
- Remove unnecessary parts or dialogues.
- Rewrite confusing scenes with extra clarification
- Finally, rewrite it to finalize.
You can make as many revisions as you want before finalizing it.
Bonus Tip:
Download a few scripts and read them thoroughly. Learn what production is looking for in terms of genre, convention, and theme.
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Final Words
We hope the guide has helped you understand what is script writing. It’s common to get nervous at first, but nothing comes out best in the first trial. You have to give repetitive effort and practice it.
Wrapping up, we wish you all the best! For more help and suggestions, you can connect with us. We are a script writing services company with a team of talented and experienced script writers. We offer our services in all parts of the world and are available 24×7.