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1 - Script Writing

This document provides information about writing scripts for video productions. It discusses the different elements that make up a script, including scene headings, action lines, character dialogue, and various script formats and structures. The document also outlines the key components of a screenplay, such as three-act structure and formatting guidelines.

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nicholas.oreskovich
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229 views32 pages

1 - Script Writing

This document provides information about writing scripts for video productions. It discusses the different elements that make up a script, including scene headings, action lines, character dialogue, and various script formats and structures. The document also outlines the key components of a screenplay, such as three-act structure and formatting guidelines.

Uploaded by

nicholas.oreskovich
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1 – Script

Writing
Unit 4: TV/Video
Production
Scripts

• A script is written work by


screenwriters for a film, video game,
TV show, interview, etc.

• A number of things go into scripts,


including actions, camera
movements, expressions, and
dialogues (lines) of the characters.

• Roughly ONE PAGE of script is equal


to one minute of film.
Types of Scripts –
Semi-Scripted

• These types of scripts are also


known as semi-improvised, and
contain a basic outline, with only
the show segments and their
times indicated on the script.

• Much of the dialogue, and even


some plot points, are created
during filming.
Types of
Scripts – Fully
Scripted
• T h e s c r i p ts l i s t t h e c o m p l e te
a u d i o a n d v i d e o f o r e ve r y
part of the production.

• All content, lines, shots,


a c t i o n s, a n d p a c i ng i s a l l
p a c e d o u t b e f o r e p r o d u c ti o n
s t a r t ( b a r ri n g a ny c h a n g e s
that need to be made).
Scripting Goals

• You should always seek to present


your scripts in a way that will hold
the audience’s attention and
interest.

• Try to engage emotions, be


creative and fresh, make the
viewer care about your subject and
characters, and use variety.
Three-Act
Structure

When creating a
script, try using the
three-act structure.
Three-Act Structure
– Act 1 (Setup)

• Th e p r o t a g o n i st i s i n t r o d u ce d , a n d th e
e ve n t o ccu r s to ch a n g e th e i r l i f e.

• Th i s i s th e s e t u p o f th e s to r y, ch a ra cte rs ,
p r e m i s e, s i tu a tion , a n d th e r e l a tion s hip s .

• Tr y to m a ke th e p r o ta g o nis t s y m p a t h eti c ,
m e a n in g , m a ke s o m e o n e th e a u d i en ce ca n
r e l a te to.

• Th e f i r s t p lot p o i n t u s u a l ly o ccu rs n e a r th e
e n d o f th e f i r s t a ct, w h i ch i s s o m e th ing to
f u r th er th e ch a ra cte r ’s s t r u g g les .
Three-Act Structure –
Act 2 (Confrontation)

• This is the dramatic action through


conflict.

• The second plot point usually occurs


near the end of Act II and a greater
struggle is created.

• The pre-climax and the climax of


the production happens at this point.
Three-Act Structure
– Act 3 (Resolution)

• At this point, there is a


dramatic action that will
bring the conflict, and your
story, to a conclusion.
• This is usually the place
where a major battle takes
place in an action movie.
Storytelling
• P r o t ag o n i st ’s G o a l : th i s i s
w h a t th e p r o ta g on is t i s
tr y i ng to a ch i e ve b y th e
e n d o f th e p r o d u ction .

• C o n s i d e r th e i m p o r t a n ce o f
the g oa l f or the a ud i e nce
a n d th e p r o ta g o nis t.
Storytelling

• Interesting Obstacles:
these setbacks or twists to
the story keep the audience
entertained and engaged.
Screenplay
Screenplay: script including actions, dialogue and
scene directions.
What Does A
Screenplay Need?

Dramatic Structure: a linear


arrangement of related ideas or
incidents that lead to a resolution.

This creates a form, not a


formula.

Plot points: any incident, episode, or


event that “hooks” into the action and
spins it around into another direction.
What Does A
Screenplay Need?

Dramatic Premise: what the


screenplay is about.

Dramatic Need: What drives the


main character through the
story.

Resolution: a solution to a
problem; not an ending.
Types of Shots

A-Roll: Footage of the basic inter view.

B-Roll: Typically consists of shots of


people, objects or placed referred to
during the basic inter view.

You need to be able to specify exact


points in the inter view (A -roll) to inser t
B-roll footage.
Standard
Screenplay
Format

• 12-point Courier font

• Dialogue speaker name is


in caps!

• Transitions are
capitalized.
Elements of a
Screenplay – Fade In
This is the star ting point of ever y
script. It’s when the f igurative
“cur tain” lif ts and the stor y begins.
This transition phrase should only be
used once at the ver y beginning of your
script, right before the f irst scene
heading or scene description
paragraph. The phrase should be in all
caps and end in a colon to indicate
continuation as the stor y begins to
unfold, as such — FADE IN:
Elements of a Screenplay – Scene
Heading

A l s o k n o w n a s a “s l u g l i n e ,” t h e s c e n e h e a d i n g b r i e f l y d e s c r i b e s w h e r e e a c h s c e n e
takes place. It should be written in all caps and use periods and hyphens to properly
segment each part, which are:

• G e n e ra l l o c a t i o n : D e c i d e w h e t h e r t h e s c e n e t a k e s p l a c e i n s i d e o r o u t s i d e o f t h e
s p e c i f i c l o c a t i o n . U s e I N T. ( f o r i n t e r i o r ) o r E X T. ( f o r e x t e r i o r ) . T h i s e l e m e n t h e l p s
e s t a b l i s h t h e s c e n e ’s s u r r o u n d i n g s .

• Specific location: This is exactly where the scene takes place and where the
c a m e ra i s l o c a t e d i n r e f e r e n c e t o t h e c h a ra c t e r s , w h i c h c a n h e l p r e a d e r s b e t t e r
visualize where they are as the audience when viewing the scene.

• T i m e o f d ay : I n c l u d e t h e t i m e o f d a y t o h e l p r e a d e r s t ra c k t h e t i m e l i n e o f t h e
story as well as better set the scene. The most commonly used times of day
i n c l u d e D AY, N I G H T, E V E N I N G , a n d t h e o c c a s i o n a l L AT E R , w h i c h m a y b e u s e d t o
indicate that not much time has passed.
Elements of a
Screenplay –
Scene Heading
Elements of a Screenplay – Action Lines

Also referred to as scene descriptions, action lines are used to show readers what’s going
on in a scene. This includes:

• Character description: When we first meet a character, you should briefly describe
their qualities so readers can visualize what they look like, how they walk, and other
physical — or even personality — traits. Upon first reference, write a character’s name
in all caps.

• Scene description: Though an interchangeable term, scene description also refers to


setting the scene. Briefly describe the look, feel, weather, and qualities of a setting so
readers can clearly see where the story takes place.

• Character or object action: Show the reader what characters do with strong, precise,
active verbs. Objects can complete actions, too, such as “The phone buzzes on the
table.” If you’re introducing an important object or want to highlight an important
action, you can write the object or action in all caps, like “The RING falls from his
hand.” or “She POCKETS the diamond.”
Elements of a Screenplay –
Action Lines
Elements of a Screenplay – Speaking
Character

Every time a person speaks, whether on -screen or in voice -over,


you should write their name in all caps and centered in the
middle of the page. Typically, you can just use their first name
or a nickname that captures their personality. Either way, make
sure you introduce their name and /or nickname in the scene
description earlier in the script and be consistent when labeling
their dialogue and actions in the action lines.
Elements of a Screenplay – Dialogue

This element goes under the all -caps-and-centered character name,


centered and justif ied . Use standard c apitalization and punctuat ion and
make it double -spaced . I f you want a character to em phasize a word or
phrase, you can underline it. Bu t use that sparingly so actors and
directors have the freedom to play around with scenes.

Here’s a full example:


Elements of a Screenplay -
Parenthetical

These are mini directions from a writer that clarify how a line is
supposed to be read. For example:
Elements of a Screenplay -
Parenthetical

Parentheticals are also used for extensions to indicate when a


character is speaking off -screen (O.S.) or in voice -over (V.O.),
such as:
Elements of a Screenplay – Fade Out

This final transition indicates the end of your story. It’s written
af ter the final action line or dialogue on the lef t -hand side,
about 6 inches from the lef t edge of the page.
Task
Video Script

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