Writing Scripts

[Peji911]

Anybody here right in scripts or work in the field?

I am writing a script at the moment. It started as a joke with some friends about his life, and everybody was just having a good time with it, even those that did not know my buddy, and I bought Final Draft and started writing the 'script', if you can call it that.

Now, with writing and such, I am fine. But you have to write a script in a certain way with fade-outs, what you want the camera to do, etc. I feel it just takes away so much from the actual story, having to take this into consideration. Plus, in scenes when you want the camera to focus on one character, then the next, then, like, a sandwich or something, I don't know exactly how to write for that.

So, any script writers here? Any that wanted to write, then just gave up? Any websites or anything I should read/watch?

If any of you work for an agency or something, how did you get your start? I've always wondered how, say, a writer for Friends or Seinfeld got hired, especially the younger ones. I would loooove to do that.

[bgeno]

Re: Writing Scripts

I always wanted to write a screenplay about my buddy and his (bat ****) crazy ex-girlfriend.

I have no idea how to do it though.

[Mo]

Re: Writing Scripts

I've always been told, the best way to write scripts, is to read scripts.

You can find treatments/screenplays/scripts online. I know the simpsons dvds has scripts from their shows.

Also you dont necessarily need to write the camera placement, but kinda do need some stage directions(who is in the room, setting and such)

[Blzer]

Re: Writing Scripts

I wrote a Saw VII fan script in three days (full with directorial choices and everything). It was only a [very] rough draft, but I impressed myself finishing it in such short time.

Of course, it wasn't original as it was based off something else. I do want to come up with scripts someday.

For a program, I used Celtx.

[USF11]

Re: Writing Scripts

I wrote a Saw VII fan script in three days (full with directorial choices and everything). It was only a [very] rough draft, but I impressed myself finishing it in such short time.

Of course, it wasn't original as it was based off something else. I do want to come up with scripts someday.

For a program, I used Celtx.

I am about 30-40 hours into a script using Celtex. I read a few scripts using the program and got the formatting down. So farso good.

[CMH]

Re: Writing Scripts

Anybody here right in scripts or work in the field?

I am writing a script at the moment. It started as a joke with some friends about his life, and everybody was just having a good time with it, even those that did not know my buddy, and I bought Final Draft and started writing the 'script', if you can call it that.

Now, with writing and such, I am fine. But you have to write a script in a certain way with fade-outs, what you want the camera to do, etc. I feel it just takes away so much from the actual story, having to take this into consideration. Plus, in scenes when you want the camera to focus on one character, then the next, then, like, a sandwich or something, I don't know exactly how to write for that.

So, any script writers here? Any that wanted to write, then just gave up? Any websites or anything I should read/watch?

If any of you work for an agency or something, how did you get your start? I've always wondered how, say, a writer for Friends or Seinfeld got hired, especially the younger ones. I would loooove to do that.

I'm working toward that now.

Just to answer a few of your questions.

1. You don't want camera directions unless you're the Nolan Brothers or the Cohen Brothers and you're directing your own script. Then you can do whatever the heck you want because the studios can't tell you a thing about your script format.

But, really, camera direction is a huge no-no in the script world. You're selling a story. The camera directions will be decided in the production script which is a different kind of script altogether (really, it's the writing script that's been touched up by the director and producer, but that's later in the production process).

If you want the camera to focus on something, you make it clear by your writing. For example:

Pej throws the pen to the ground.

The pen lies still. The words "Best Friend Ever" inscribed across the body.

That's it. That tells you that you're focusing on the pen now.

Don't say:

CLOSE UP on the pen lying still on the ground.

You don't make that choice. The director does.


2. Read scripts. It's been said here already, but really that's the best thing you can do. If you are having trouble writing a specific scene, think of a movie you saw that did something similar. Find that script and see how they wrote it. You'll usually find the answer.

I've heard that for every script written, a writer should have read 10 scripts. That's not concrete, but the point is, after 10 scripts, you'll start picking up on fundamentals.

Visit my new favorite sites:
Go Into The Story
myPDFscripts

Much better than simplyscripts or drew's script-o-rama because they have quality PDF scripts and offer advice on how to write. Go Into the Story is a blog written by a real screenwriter. Can't ask for more than that. Advice from someone who made it.


3. If you want to write for television you need to write spec scripts.

Here's the reality of it all. You can't write your own stuff. Well, you can, but unless it's absolutely mind blowing (and in the case that it is, you shouldn't be writing for a staff, you should be developing it for television) no one will read your own produced material.

You have to write spec scripts of other shows. Producers want to see writers that are capable of taking someone else's characters and making it their own while staying true to the show. And this is important because if you're writing for television, you're writing someone else's show. You need to be capable of being versatile.

Also, if you want to write for Dexter then you don't want a Dexter script. Write something similar. WGA rules prohibit producers from reading spec scripts from their own shows (you can imagine the potential problems and resulting reasons for this). So, maybe you write an episode of House (similar character that acts out against the norm)? If you want to write for CSI, then you have plenty of options: Criminal Minds, Numbers, Cold Case. You get it?

Having said all that, my assumption is you're writing a feature script (a full-length movie of approximately 90 pages to 120 pages*). You want get television work that way. So you need to decide which direction you're going.


*If you're writing a feature script, it better not be longer than 120 pages. James Cameron can submit a 150 page monster because he's James Cameron. You cannot. Typically, the rule of thumb is one page = one minute. So, if you're writing a film, you want it to be two hours. 120 minutes = 120 pages.

If you're writing a television script, you need to take commercial breaks into account (and then also consider Acts). So, a script for Two And A Half Men will be approximately 20-25 pages. Something like Weeds will be closer to 30 because of no commercial breaks on Showtime. Dexter? Typically 50-55 pages. Lost? You're looking at about 45 pages. Watch the shows, look at how long each episode tends to be and you can figure out the average length of the script.

Ask away if you have more questions. But definitely read. Read, read, read. You can't write if you don't read.

[Blzer]

Re: Writing Scripts

I am about 30-40 hours into a script using Celtex. I read a few scripts using the program and got the formatting down. So farso good.

Yeah, mine probably took about 40 hours in those three days. I barely slept because I kept pounding myself with new ideas.

Another thing you can do with Celtx is convert it to PDF format. When I did that, mine ended up being 162 pages. I don't know how long scripts normally are, but that seems pretty long to me.

[USF11]

Re: Writing Scripts

Yeah, mine probably took about 40 hours in those three days. I barely slept because I kept pounding myself with new ideas.

Another thing you can do with Celtx is convert it to PDF format. When I did that, mine ended up being 162 pages. I don't know how long scripts normally are, but that seems pretty long to me.

Have you begun trying to sell or finance your script.

[Blzer]

Re: Writing Scripts

Have you begun trying to sell or finance your script.

Not at all, it's just a sequel in the Saw series. Just a fan script, nothing more. And like I said, it's still very rough. Nevermind the spelling mistakes, I want to fix a bunch of the story, add/revise things, etc.

[allBthere]

Re: Writing Scripts

I'm working toward that now.

Just to answer a few of your questions.

1. You don't want camera directions unless you're the Nolan Brothers or the Cohen Brothers and you're directing your own script. Then you can do whatever the heck you want because the studios can't tell you a thing about your script format.

But, really, camera direction is a huge no-no in the script world. You're selling a story. The camera directions will be decided in the production script which is a different kind of script altogether (really, it's the writing script that's been touched up by the director and producer, but that's later in the production process).

If you want the camera to focus on something, you make it clear by your writing. For example:

Pej throws the pen to the ground.

The pen lies still. The words "Best Friend Ever" inscribed across the body.

That's it. That tells you that you're focusing on the pen now.

Don't say:

CLOSE UP on the pen lying still on the ground.

You don't make that choice. The director does.


2. Read scripts. It's been said here already, but really that's the best thing you can do. If you are having trouble writing a specific scene, think of a movie you saw that did something similar. Find that script and see how they wrote it. You'll usually find the answer.

I've heard that for every script written, a writer should have read 10 scripts. That's not concrete, but the point is, after 10 scripts, you'll start picking up on fundamentals.

Visit my new favorite sites:
Go Into The Story
myPDFscripts

Much better than simplyscripts or drew's script-o-rama because they have quality PDF scripts and offer advice on how to write. Go Into the Story is a blog written by a real screenwriter. Can't ask for more than that. Advice from someone who made it.


3. If you want to write for television you need to write spec scripts.

Here's the reality of it all. You can't write your own stuff. Well, you can, but unless it's absolutely mind blowing (and in the case that it is, you shouldn't be writing for a staff, you should be developing it for television) no one will read your own produced material.

You have to write spec scripts of other shows. Producers want to see writers that are capable of taking someone else's characters and making it their own while staying true to the show. And this is important because if you're writing for television, you're writing someone else's show. You need to be capable of being versatile.

Also, if you want to write for Dexter then you don't want a Dexter script. Write something similar. WGA rules prohibit producers from reading spec scripts from their own shows (you can imagine the potential problems and resulting reasons for this). So, maybe you write an episode of House (similar character that acts out against the norm)? If you want to write for CSI, then you have plenty of options: Criminal Minds, Numbers, Cold Case. You get it?

Having said all that, my assumption is you're writing a feature script (a full-length movie of approximately 90 pages to 120 pages*). You want get television work that way. So you need to decide which direction you're going.


*If you're writing a feature script, it better not be longer than 120 pages. James Cameron can submit a 150 page monster because he's James Cameron. You cannot. Typically, the rule of thumb is one page = one minute. So, if you're writing a film, you want it to be two hours. 120 minutes = 120 pages.

If you're writing a television script, you need to take commercial breaks into account (and then also consider Acts). So, a script for Two And A Half Men will be approximately 20-25 pages. Something like Weeds will be closer to 30 because of no commercial breaks on Showtime. Dexter? Typically 50-55 pages. Lost? You're looking at about 45 pages. Watch the shows, look at how long each episode tends to be and you can figure out the average length of the script.

Ask away if you have more questions. But definitely read. Read, read, read. You can't write if you don't read.

yup pretty much!

I just finished film school and I want to be a director. My film won best picture at my school, and as a director you're 2 most important concerns are the performances of your actors and WHERE TO PUT THE CAMERA.

don't worry about that stuff when writting - any of it.

another huge thing is you ONLY WRITE WHAT WE CAN SEE AND HEAR. remember that. think of an audience in the theatre...you can picture camera angles if you want, but you only write what an audience member can see or hear. We don't hear what characters are thinking unless it's explicity narrated and written that way.

You get that pleasure by describing their actions and putting little notes in parantheses before their speach.

ex.

JOHN
(fiddles with pen)

what the hell were you thinking man?

MARTIN
(cups his chin)

I don't know,...it just kind of happend


Format is extemely important. You have to write it exactly in correct format and never submit with errors. Even the bland white cover think paper and using brass brad's to seal it are important. You don't want to stand out, like people do with resume's and use red cover paper. Any flaws in this area and your scrip goes to the garbage without being read.

it's that important. Hollywood has proffessional readers that studios hire to make sure format is good and story is worth taking a look at. The first thing anyone does when they read a script is flip through backwards like an animated flip book - just looking for errors. If they see any they will throw it in the trash - the most important thing for you should be that someone actually reads your script so don't have any errors or try to be unique in format

12pt courier, correct margins for speach, location, description - EVERYTHING.

you do not want to try to be special and screw with that...be special in your story.

Another thing...FADE IN and FADE OUT should be used ideally once each - one at the beginning and one at the end - otherwise a lot of people will be pissed and some trash it. You don't need to break these rules to have a good story so just follow them.

also avoid using (beat) - in a feature maybe only once in a script - it's also annoys script readers and doest really tell the audience anything.

Hope that helps, I'll be writing soon too since that is one of the only ways to ensure a spot in the director's chair

good luck.

[allBthere]

Re: Writing Scripts

I've always been told, the best way to write scripts, is to read scripts.

You can find treatments/screenplays/scripts online. I know the simpsons dvds has scripts from their shows.

Also you dont necessarily need to write the camera placement, but kinda do need some stage directions(who is in the room, setting and such)

this helps but many commercially sold scripts are not in correct screenplay format. Most are in shooting format or formatted for their new purpose and altered - those are no longer considered 'screenplays'. So don't copy those ones...you need a format book which there are a few good ones.

you should also arm yourself with things that will never be in the script because it adds depth an body to your script. Character backstories (write it down or don't, but know it) Later if you try to sell you script, have a few actors in mind because that's what every producer will ask is who were you thinking of. Also, you need to write treatments, a log line, and a synopsis because that's how you initiat interest and that step isn't skipped unless you're an A list writer.

[CMH]

Re: Writing Scripts

That's a great point, allBthere. You only write what you can see or hear.

There are ways around it, but it's all about how you write it. Here's an article on writing character thoughts: http://www.gointothestory.com/2009/1...haracters.html

[allBthere]

Re: Writing Scripts

That's a great point, allBthere. You only write what you can see or hear.

There are ways around it, but it's all about how you write it. Here's an article on writing character thoughts: http://www.gointothestory.com/2009/1...haracters.html

cool read. Yeah, it really is a 'pick your spots thing'. Doing that too much makes it not a screenplay and over 120pgs too. But I agree that it is nice to slip it in once in a while. In my short film I did it, but in such a way that no one could accuse me of breaking that rule and I'm not really but it definitely gave insight into the internal character.

at one point characters are kissing each other and I said something like 'she looks as though she is being healed by the kiss' or something along those lines. It's obvious though that means internally she IS being healed somewhat, but also something the actor can understand and try to get across visually if that makes sense.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Writing Scripts

I'm not a writer, but I read scripts for a living, do storyboards, draw comics and work with writers in various ways. I also shared an apartment with one of my best friends, who is a screenwriter with an agent, a manager and one feature film.

I've read almost every one of my friend's scripts, and there are a few turning points that were very important in his growth.

1. Finishing a lot of scripts--not simply writing a lot, but finishing stories from FADE IN to FADE OUT. There is no substitute for the evaluation of a finished story. Both structure and nuance are available for scrutiny and repetition. Also, the finished script gets drafted in key ways. It's often the case that Plot, Humor, Characterization etc cannot be put into one draft. After the first raw version is done, the subtle and subtextual elements can be added and emphasized.

2. Going back to School--He graduated from NYU, but that's not what I mean. When he read up on his McKee, Syd Field, Joseph Campbell, Vogler, Aristotle and Shaekspeare, his overall chops improved. Mind you, this is all after a degree where he went over these principles in class. Similar to art, reading up on these principles is very different after you've done work, than it is when you are first being introduced to such ideas.

3. Exercising the Writing Muscles in Other Forms -- When he started writing essays, articles, short stories, novels and even the occasional song or poem, these elements found their way into the work and made it much sharper. When work in a genre or medium that we love, we may rely on certain habits and patterns. Changing the genre or medium forces us to think outside of our natural process, and consequently out of the box. Or at least "our" box.

4. Stick Closely to Structure -- Most people cringe at this idea, but often many of these people have not done it. You can attempt to break formula by avoiding it, OR you can break THROUGH formula by mastering it. Most conventions are principles and not hard rules. People who master them learn the subtleties of these principles and then are able to work organically within and without them. The error is to think of structure like a kind of programming. It's more like learning martial arts or musical scales, where you free yourself from the forms by practicing them. This is the key to masterful improvisation.

After mastering structure, he was able to use it if he needed it(or was asked to) but also able to just close is eyes and "let" a story happen. Then there is the option of letting a story happen, then refining it with structure on the back end.

Hope that helps.

[Peji911]

Re: Writing Scripts

Thanks for the great insight guys. Here are some general questions


When writing a script, you obviously want someone to look at it. Do you go to specific people? What if someone steals your script, such as when you post it online? What do you do to prevent this?

For a pretty good script, what are the going prices more or less? Do you pitch it to Fox, Century, etc, or do you search for specific people?

Keywords to know about when searching for info/sites. For instance, if I want to find out how to find offices in Toronto that cater to theis: Where can I get info, talk to people 'in the know'