Script Writing for Newbies

[drybonesreborn]

I only once wrote a script, like in 8th grade. But, I'm not sure what the proper layout is. Do you show every action? How do you set one up? How do you outline one? How do you make it good? Thanks!

[Liverpool]

There are thousands of completed scripts out there on the net. Read them, read them, then read then again. Then Google Scriptbuddy and join them for free for your layout. The rest is up to you

[Plot Device]

DBR--tell me right now your ten favorite films from the past ten years.

[drybonesreborn]

Thanks

Um, Spiderman 2
The King and I
Sound of Music
Golden Eye
.....
there's more ..but that's about it.

[Plot Device]

Thanks

Um, Spiderman 2
The King and I
Sound of Music
Golden Eye
.....
there's more ..but that's about it.


Gimmie about half an hour. I'll be back.

[drybonesreborn]

ok.

[drybonesreborn]

There are thousands of completed scripts out there on the net. Read them, read them, then read then again. Then Google Scriptbuddy and join them for free for your layout. The rest is up to you
But it says just under 5 bucks a month. I dont' have that. I don't have a job yet. I haven't since I've been going to school, and summer school.

[dpaterso]

If you haven't already, check out the screenwriting tips (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24087) thread which contains info plus links that you may find useful, including how to format scripts, sites with free scripts for educational purposes, screenwriting software (some free programs), contest links, ways to submit queries to production companies, etc.

If you're serious, go read 20 scripts, right now. If you're really serious, go read 100 scripts. Then come back and start giving us all advice. :)

-Derek

[drybonesreborn]

Lot's of stuff. But I can't find the link to any free softwhere stuff. I like scriptbuddy, but 5 bucks? They said it's free? Who's telling the truth?

[scripter1]

what everybody else said.

And I'll add.......

wait for it,

everyone knows what's coming,

just wait, wait, wait.....







ScriptSecrets, Wordplay, Trottier's Screenwriter's Bible.
Happy reading.
Have fun.

[scripter1]

too much about layout yet.
Get some story sense first.

[Liverpool]

It's free if you don't have the spell checker, it will give you an idea of how to set your script out.

[drybonesreborn]

? But the site mentions for a free account, yet it says "ScriptWriter Pro" and mentions 5 bucks a month. So, it is free?

[Plot Device]

I can't find any of THOSE scripts. Here are some alternatives I'd like to sugget you read:

The Sixth Sense
http://www.scifiscripts.com/scripts/sixth-sense.txt


Signs
http://www.weeklyscript.com/Signs.txt



Sleepy Hollow
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/sleepy-hollow_shooting.html



Space Cowboys
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/Space_Cowboys.pdf


Star Wars Episode IV
http://www.scifiscripts.com/scripts/star_warstranscript.txt


King Kong
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/King_Kong__2005_.pdf


Batman Begins
http://web.archive.org/web/20041017045254/http://moviespoilers.net/batman_script.pdf



Blade
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/blade.html



The Bourne Identity
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/bourneidentity.html



Mean Girls
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/mean_girls.pdf



Minority Report
http://www.weeklyscript.com/Minority%20Report.txt



The Mummy
http://www.scifiscripts.com/scripts/mummy.txt

[dpaterso]

Lot's of stuff. But I can't find the link to any free softwhere stuff.
In the Screenwriting software section in the tips thread you'll see Page 2 Stage, Celtx and Rough Draft, all free, or if you have MS Word you can download free Word screenwriting templates.

I wrote my last screenplay freestyle using Notepad, so don't angst over software, though of course by handling the formatting for you the right software can help you concentrate on writing.

-Derek

[Plot Device]

what everybody else said.

And I'll add.......

wait for it,

everyone knows what's coming,

just wait, wait, wait.....







ScriptSecrets, Wordplay, Trottier's Screenwriter's Bible.
Happy reading.
Have fun.

The book called The Screenwriter's Bible should be at your local public library.

[Kosh]

I'd like to add to the book list:

Save The Cat
Writing For Emotional Impact
and Elements of Style (or any style guide you prefer)

[Plot Device]

Some more:




Fallen
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/Fallen.pdf



Fargo
http://www.weeklyscript.com/Fargo.txt



From Dusk Till Dawn
http://www.horrorlair.com/scripts/duskdawn.txt




The Fugitive
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/Fugitive_EARLY.pdf

[drybonesreborn]

Thanks to everyone for your help!

[Plot Device]

Thanks to everyone for your help!


Okay, Bones, out of all the scripts I posted for you, which one did you opt to read? Surely ONE of them caught your eye. Surely ONE of them was a film you saw and liked.

I'm a slow reader, so it takes me about two hours to read a script.

One of the very first scripts I read on the internet was Star Wars and then The Sixth Sense. I braved reading The Matrix last year.

Did you read even ONE of these yet?

[drybonesreborn]

I read Signs.

[Plot Device]

I read Signs.

Was it helpful to read it?

As you read it, were you able to recall the movie in your head?

Did it play out in your head for the duration of your read-through?



In other words ....

Did that exercise help you begin to see what scriptwriting is?

[drybonesreborn]

Yeah. I still have questions on format. Why where the scary scenes in bold lettering? What about whispers in brackets? Does every style have a differnt format?

[Plot Device]

Yeah. I still have questions on format. Why where the scary scenes in bold lettering? What about whispers in brackets? Does every style have a differnt format?


Can you cite a page number? Or else describe the scene in question?

My understanding is you're never really supposed to use "bold" and only use capitalizations. But I use bold sometimes when something urgent is going on. If someone wants to thwap me on the wrist and demand I change it to unbolded caps, that person had better be a producer or an agent.

Whispers I'm not sure about.

[dpaterso]

The screenplays you find online may not be the originals, or if they are, they were probably written by pro screenwriters and/or modified by directors who can do whatever they like. If you're writing a spec script (as most of us are) stick with plain text, no bold or italics or underlines.

Whispers or any other dialogue modifier are usually in brackets, e.g.

JANE
(whispers)
He's inside the house, isn't he?

Try not to overdo this, it can become annoying.

Capitalize character names only upon introduction, thereafter use mixed case. Sound effects (e.g. a door SLAMS) are traditionally capitalized, tho' usage is becoming less common and some gurus advise against this. Sprinkling capitalized words at RANDOM can become annoying DISTRACTIONS rather than adding TENSION or DRAMA.

Blah blah, same old, same old. :)

-Derek