OK, this may get zero responses, but I'm hoping someone out there can point me in the "write" direction.

I've decided to take the plunge and have a go at writing a screenplay. I've outlined the story and am about to start writing up a script however I'm not sure of the format I should use.

I've had a look around the net and found various sites that say the format's really important and I've even downloaded a template, but I'm a bit unsure as the template I've downloaded doesn't look the same as another one I've found on the net.

I've had no formal training in writing and am at a bit of a loss.

Can anyone direct me to some good resources, or give me any pointers?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

xxx

I can't help you but good luck. I love writing but my muse has left me for the mo.

I was a journalist for many years, but that's a different type of writing...Cborgman would be able to help you, I think...

Thank you both ... I'm under no illusions of being a great success, but I did want to do it for me. If I think it's good enough when I've finished, I'll send it off to some places - I'll probably be posting up another "help" topic at that stage too

Yup, Gooey is one !!

Just do your own thing.

Is the most important thing.

One screenwriter writes scripts in long hand.

It is al about the story outline, the summary. If that is good, it means half the work.

Try getting your hands on American Beauty. Now that is a good script.

Fhunkin said:

:HAM: (L) ya

gooeythehamster said:

Thank you Gooey. I've found excerpts of American Beauty online, so will read through it.

As far as the format goes, are you saying it doesn't matter if I don't write screen directions in there? (That's the bit I'm worried about, as I don't know the terminology).

Raspberry said:

Directions can be handy, but only really matter if you stay connected to the project. Alan Ball (screenwriter American Beauty) visualised the script WITH the director and was a big part of giving the movie it's character.

It totally depends also on what kind of movie it is. Directions like big explosion are needful if you want to make Terminator Does California.

If you have a story totally visualised, then give directions, if you do not have a clue; let it up to the director.

Alex Hahn

there is a screenwriter formatting writing program out there that is very widely used, but extremely expensive, and i don' trecall the name of it. at this point of your first draft, the dialouge and character developement process is more important. the directional stuff can be revised later to fit the format.

they often pulish scripts of well recieved movies, and they can be found in most major bookstores.

If you're really serious, buy some Final Draft software. It does all the formatting for you, and it's the industry standard.







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[This message was edited Tue Nov 4 8:08:05 PST 2003 by Anxiety]

Thank you all Gooey Chris Anxiety.

My little project started off as a movie idea, but now it has turned into a six part mini-series ... I would imagine that's fairly common for first-timers. I just can't seem to find a way of making it shorter without losing depth from the characters. I want them to appear real, not shallow and for the motives of the main character to be clear.

I have seen Final Draft and considered buying it. I am serious, so I think the investment may well be worth it.

I'm concerned about starting the dialogue. I don't know that I have the vocabulary at my disposal to clearly express things the way I want to ... but I shall try. Life isn't worth the effort unless you "try", right?

Thanks again
xxx

I used to teach high school English and many textbooks have screenplays in them. Instead of the "play" version of the text, there is a "screenplay" version. Go to a college library and browse through all the textbooks used at the high school level. You will surely come across a screenplay.

jbchavez said:

Thank you very much jb ... I'm truly touched that people have responded to this and offered me advice.

PEJ said:

Here are a few brief hints and tips I´ve learned over the past few years:

FORMATTING

The font should be Courier and the font size 12 (this way one page of screenplay will on average equal one minute of screen time). Margins: left 1,5 inches, top 1,5, bottom 1,0 and right 1,0.

Every time you introduce a new character or when there is an important sound you should make them bold, i.e. JOHN is walking down the street. Suddenly he hears a loud BANG.

Start every new scene with the scene number, followed by INT or EXT (interior or exterior), then the location and then the time of day, for example 2. INT. WAREHOUSE DAY

Start a new scene every time you would have to change the camera settings when shooting the film. Don´t let the dramatic tension govern your scene division, it won´t be lost. If a character moves from one room to another, start a new scene.

STYLE

Keep it short and to the point.

Focus on the action and the visuals and not on describing the environment etc.

Avoid adjectives and adverbs as much as possible.

Start a new paragraph as soon as something new happens. You don´t want big chunks of text.

Avoid camera directions, such as "we see" or "closeup of" or "zoom in on". That kind of stuff upsets the director and is useless in a screenplay anyway. We should understand what you mean by just reading the text.

Try to not overuse dialogue. Film is visual and "action" based medium and if it´s too talky people will feel like they´re watching a filmed theatre play.

DRAMATIC STRUCTURE

Be creative, but don´t lose focus. You have a story to tell and you don´t want to lose your audience´s attention by digressing too much or having a too even dramatic tension throughout.

Give your characters a challenge and clear motivation. They should get into some sort of trouble, however subtle it may be. If not, you don´t have "drive" in your story.

Turning points here and there are always good. There´s no need for sharp "twists" though, unless that is your type of thing.

Be sure to know how it will end and have all key plot points before you start writing. That way you can introduce things at an early stage and connect back to them at the end which has a powerful effect.

Try to walk the fine line between the confusing and the predictable. You don´t want the audience to be able to guess what´s coming next, but you do want it to be expected in the sense that it makes sense once it happens.

And most importantly: find your own style! This may take some time but it´s worth it. You won´t get anywhere by copying other people´s work. When you do find your own style it might be similar to someone else´s, that´s ok, but make sure it´s your own.

Good luck!

Well I write poetry these dayz but I'd tell U 2 keep your vision clear & steady ...and when running into any sort of roadblocks have faith and find your way past. Stay true 2 your ideas even when some may want 2 change your main theme in someway.

Writing is a beautiful gift no-matter the form your blessed in...enjoy your journey.

Best wishes & may your creative goodness flow on~

Raspberry said:

I studied Proffessional Writing and Editing for 3 years and part of that of which was screenwriting! I LUVED it!!! You seem to be on the right track gal. Look at plenty of examples for templates. Screenwriting is great for people who have a tendency to watch alot of television and films. Be as descriptive with your directions as you can...including tone of voice...but leave a little for the actor to interpret. And don't forget to get it workshopped as much as you can so gain different perspectives and good advice!!! Best of luck!!!

Rasp...go out and buy the book "Screenplay" by Syd Field. This book is a BIBLE and will show you not only what producers look for in a screenplay...but also about story structure and what NOT to put in a script.

I've written one-and-a-half screenplays and learning the format and filmspeak is something you have to simply do.

"Screenplay" will point you in the right direction.

In fairness, I wouldn't worry too much about formatting and layout of the document before you've actually got some characters and dialogue down on paper A polished turd is still a turd so... worry about the presentation last of all. Those skills can easily be picked up later.

Not quite what you are doing but vaguely related... I've recently read "Film Directing: Shot-by-shot" by Steve Katz and it is a really great read. As a videogame creator, I feel that everyone in my discipline needs to educate themselves about the best practises from other creative industries and learn from them. I've definitely learned a lot from that book.

Vibrator said:

Wow this is amazing ... everything I was hoping for. Thank you Vibrator

Thank you all once again. I will definately buy the books you recommend, and read as many screenplays as I can. (I'm going to order Screenplay right now on Amazon Dudedrops!)

to all who've posted here

xxx

Raspberry said:

No problem, I´m glad to be able to help out a bit. I got so happy when I read that you want to try writing a screenplay. It´s sooo much fun, and once you get going you won´t be able to stop. Trust me, I´ve been doing it for a few years now and I keep writing more and more.

The ultimate reward is of course when you or someone else actually turns your script into a movie. I´ve made a couple of short films so far and it´s always one hell of a rush to see the actors speaking my lines and doing what I told them to do. There are always some things that don´t turn out as well as I thought they would, though. But that´s the way it always is, I guess...

EvilWhiteMale said:

Thank you. I've just ordered "The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats: Screenplays" by Hilis R Cole and Judith H Haag ... it had good reviews on Amazon.

Final Draft will have to wait a couple of weeks, but I'm going to get that too I think.

Raspberry said:

Final Draft will make writing so much easier and faster. Trust me.

EvilWhiteMale said:

Is it easy to use Evil? ... does it give you prompts as to any directions etc you need to put in?

Raspberry said:

All you do is write. You should understand basic screen witing form, but the program will make everything very straight forward and help guide you through it.

EvilWhiteMale said:

Thank you

... I think what I'm going to do is take everyone's advice and read the books I've ordered first. I've also ordered some screenplays to look at as I've never seen one before, nor done anything like this either. Then, when I'm ready to start on the dialogue I'll buy the software. I've got the story and characters outlined pretty comprehensively so until the books arrive, I'm not going to mess around with it too much as I think I'll end up changing it too much. I've already got myself in a bit of a plot dilemma by changing something I shouldn't have, so now I'm back to the original.

Thanks again everyone for all the advice.