How to make a script?

[Chua Min Yew]

How do I make a short film script? I can't think about it... I didn't don't even seen before a script... How to write it and how long should it be?

[Guest]

Well pretty huge questions. Have you looked at any of the number of screenwriting sites on the web?

 

R,

[Chua Min Yew]

Nope, never looked before.. :(
Any recommended screen writing sites ?
I'm afraid that I can't understand lol..

Edited December 1, 2013 by Chua Min Yew

[Guest]

http://www.paulhackett.ca/blog/top-five-screenwriting-sites/

[Brian Drysdale]

There are quite a few scriptwriting sites around, including quite a few where you can download original scripts. It's a good idea to read a few scripts, especially if you know the film. http://www.simplyscripts.com/movie.html http://www.script-o-rama.com/ http://www.dailyscript.com/

 

You can find some format info here: http://www.euroscript.co.uk/formats.html

 

Rather TV and radio centred, but you can find material here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/

 

There are also now many books on the subject of scriptwriting.

[Chua Min Yew]

Thanks guys! Hope that I can learn from it...

So, no matter which language you use, the script will be similar to the English script?

[Brian Drysdale]

There are various script layout formats, depending on if it's a TV drama, soap etc., but film scripts are usually a standard layout internationally. For a short you should be safe with the film layout. There are programs that help with the correct layout. The BBC site has templates that work with Word, I believe you can still download a free version of Celtx.

[Keith Walters]

If it's your own production, as long as the meaning is clear, there's not particular "right" or "wrong" way of doing it.

As long as everybody does understand what you mean.

Remember, there were scripts long before there were word processors.

But generally, yes, download a few scripts and you'll get the general idea.

I must say, I've some diabolically badly produced scripts over the years, but it didn't stop the productions getting made :rolleyes:

[joshua gallegos]

If you're really serious about writing and want to get honest feedback from a community of aspiring writers, I suggest you join this site. You will find the way you truly feel about writing, and why you like doing it. I used to be a part of this community when I was 16 years old, and after four years I felt I had a better grasp at film structure and how movies work.

 

Also, the one book I would recommend is Syd Field's (Screenplay). It's not a "how to book", but it teaches you the fundamentals of screenwriting by giving you detailed analyses from screenplays such as Chinatown, Shawshank Redemption, etc.

 

As for screenwriting software, you can get Celtx for free, and once you master the format you can upgrade to Final Draft, which the standard software for professional writers. I've noticed screenwriters are a lot like cinematographers, in the sense that you write and write for a great portion of your life, and most screenwriters become adept at the craft in their late 30s or 40s. I've been doing it for about six years now, and I've written 6 features, but none of them are good. until recently I feel the newer ones I've completed are doable. Short films are harder to write, I can't seem to get a good idea that is short enough to write in less than 20 pages. I would focus more on structure, the way a story is structured is important, I spent a lot of time dissecting the structure of Citizen Kane and All About Eve, and these stories are stories that are told through memory with a final resolve. Plot is not terribly important, but the footprints the characters leave behind are.

 

Here's this writing website, also it's a place to get a good critique on short films. The community is constantly active.

 

http://labs.triggerstreet.com/

Edited December 23, 2013 by joshua gallegos