Little Tips About Script Writing

"These short article is an advanced one that works for both the people already into 

the life of screenwriting and those new to the field."

What Exactly Is a Script?

A script is a document that outlines every aural, visual, behavioral, and lingual element required to tell a story. Why "outlines"? This because film is a highly collaborative
medium and the director, cast, editor, and production crew will, based on your
"outline", interpret your story their way when it is filmed. They may consult you, or 
they may not. 
But consulting the scriptwriter is a very important role, because you are just the script 
writer but a script analyst--playing the role of the script analyst is when your script has 
been accepted to be filmed, you work hand to hand with the film Director on placing 
right the actors and their on-set behavior. It has been discovered that many Film- 
industries doesn't consider the role of the Script Analyst important, On our next post, 
we will share why it is important to have a Script Analyst in place not just only a 
director. 

Other writers may be brought in or you may be asked to re-write the entire thing. 
That's life, in the world of screenwriting. But because so many people are involved 
in the making of a film, a script must conform to standards that all involved parties understand and thus has a specific format or layout, margins, notation, and other conventions. This document is intended to overview the typical elements used screen-
play writing.

It is crucial to remember that film is a VISUAL medium. You don't tell your audience 
your story, you SHOW them. You must learn to write a screenplay VISUALLY. Write 
what they will SEE and what they will HEAR. You might love your characters and 
know what they are thinking, but the discipline of screenplay writing is how to show 
it on a screen. When it happens, it may be just done with a look, often improvised 
on the movie set. So just write the pictures, sounds, and speeches, and leave the rest 
for the filmmakers.
Mind you, Scripts have to look a certain way, in a way that you present your work 
like an insider. 

The sheer volume of submissions makes it so that if ANYTHING about your script 
looks strange it's headed to the Recycle bin. If you don't know the game they won't 
play. 

What Makes Good Story?

Let's hazard a guess. The movies you loved most featured characters that swept 
you up, who captivated your emotions, got you involved. The audience viewing 
a movie not only wants to be interested in and care about the people they see on 
the screen, they want to be PASSIONATE about them, whether they like them or 
not. Great heroes and heroines inspire us; great villains make us want to jump into 
the screen!

There is always something at stake in a good movie. Not just something someone 
wants, something that must be acquired, no matter what the risk, as in Indiana Jones 
and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Or something highly desired by as many main 
characters as possible, like the small black statue in The Maltese Falcon. Some times 
it can be an intangible thing, like the freedom of a people in Lawrence of Arabia, like 
the play of timeless love in King of Heart, and The Seek some times the bad ganging 
in Slow country. All these things drive the character's quest, even gives the hero 
superhuman strength. It can be something personal (romance) or for the good of all 
(saving the world from aliens) but it must be powerful and grow more desperate as 
the story unfolds.

There are always obstacles, which provide that catchword that actors love so much -- 
CONFLICT. This is the heart of drama. Someone wants something and people and 
things keep getting in the way of them achieving the goal. At times, the obstacles can 
be common to both the hero and villain, and the ultimate goal a laudable one for both parties, as in Jingle All The Way. In that film, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad 
battle to achieve the same goal--the acquisition of the last popular action figure for 
sale that Christmas season. Both of them have promised their son, and they must not fail. Conflict and obstacles can be physical, spiritual or emotional that have to be in 
your story or you don't really have a story. In most good stories, the protagonist will 
also have an inner obstacle, some mental or even spiritual problem, that will be 
resolved by the time s/he reaches the outward, physical goal of the story. Some people 
call this inner demon a "ghost," while others call in a "wound."

You need a hook. That's a songwriting term that describes that thing that catches 
the public's attention. A popular Nollywood term is a "High Concept." A better idea 
might be a simple "What if?" In Galaxy Quest, for example, the concept is "What if 
the washed-up actors from the crew of a cancelled but still popular sci-fi TV show 
are pressed into a real war in space by aliens who think the TV show broadcasts 
they received were documentaries?" OR " What if the cause of the hero's problem is 
himself but the viewer would be thinking it's his friend or any other character in the 
movie, while his problem is himself--So Funny" That is it, you make your Story Alive 
with A good enough "what if?" will set your script apart from the pack. 

N.B, It is why people will leave the comfort of their homes and spend up to $15 (about- 
5000 Nigeria Naira) their hard-earned bucks at the local 'cineplex'--(blend of Cinema 
and Complex).

Nollywood buys genres. Agents, managers, and producers are drawn to and specialize 
in specific genres so approaching them with something they can recognize is a good 
idea. Successful stories have a fresh face but are identifiable. You know what makes 
your idea unique, but can you describe it quickly to others? Is it a fast-paced thriller, romantic comedy, action adventure?

 Written By: ISOBLOGGERS Scripting Tips Team

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