How to write a script or screenplay

Chapter 1

Before deciding to be a script writer i think it's important to first of all to understand what a script is. There are many people out there who call themselves script writers but can hardly even tell what a script actually is. Many people think being a script writer ones job is just to write stories, write stories and write stories. Thats just the basic step in scrip writing. To actually transform those stories into a screenplay/script, you first need to know what a screenplay is.

What is a screenplay?

Different industry professionals have given different opinions on what a scrip/screenplay is:

Alan Armer: “A blueprint for a movie.”

Syd Field: “A story told with pictures.”

Paul Schrader: “An invitation to collaborate on a work of art. They contain 3
things - theme, character, structure. That’s all.”

Louis Nowra: “Screenplays are simply a blueprint for a director. It’s not an art –
It’s a collaborative process.”

Bob Towne: “A movie is just four or five moments between two people. The rest
of it exists to give those moments their impact and resonance.”

William Goldman: “Screenplays are structure.”

AN OVERVIEW OF “THE SCREENWRITING PROCESS/STEPS”

From Premise to Screenplay

The usual steps (and documents) involved in writing a feature screenplay: (though
sometimes some - or many – of the below, are omitted)

The Premise (1-3 sentences): The Premise (sometimes called the Concept) is a simple statement of the main character/s, and their dilemma.

The Synopsis (3 paragraphs):The synopsis is about 3 paragraphs long, and
Each paragraph reflects the beginning, middle and end of the story.

The Outline (1-3 pages): One, Two or Three pages, describing the setup, development
and resolution, and sketching the details of the characters.

Character Notes (1-3 pages for each major character): Outlines the different
characters, and their Back stories.

`Pitch’ Document (10 pages): Contains all of the above documents, and some images.

Scene Breakdown (2-3 pages): A `beat sheet’ or list of points, outlining the key
event/s of each scene. Can also be done on approximately 60 index cards (e.g. one for
each scene).

The Treatment (say 20-40 pages): Twenty to forty pages, virtually a short story, which
is an expanded version of the Outline, but with more character detail, and various
dramatic `moments’ and key scenes fleshed out in more detail. Usually each scene is a
paragraph. Usually contains no direct dialog, and is written in the third-person present
tense.
The Scriptment (say 80 pages): A hybrid of Treatment-and-Script. Famously, James
Cameron wrote one of these for Spider-Man.

Sample Dialog (say, 1 page for each major character): `Test scenes‟ or monologues, so
that each of your characters speaks in their own distinctive voice.

The Screenplay (85-120 pages): On A4 pages, in standard Screenplay format, in Courier
12-point font, and with black card front & back, 3 hole drilled & 2 brads in the top &
bottom holes. Has scene headings, stage directions (also called “big print”) and dialog.

In my next post i'll be talking about WHERE TO START? inorder to successfully write your script.