Script writing

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Date: August 17, 2012

Script writing might turn out to be a huge task with manifold challenges. Ideas count a lot when you decide to pick up a pen. The more imaginative you are the easier and interesting script writing becomes. First of all decide on whether you are writing for television, movie or theatre. As all these three mediums are different and the viewers have a different demand for each of them. You need yourself to be unusual yet a great story teller.

First and foremost thing is to go through the examples, the scripts that were written earlier for the same medium. Find out what the formatting standards are. Check the textbooks, library and the internet. Thoroughly read and understand how they are written.
Then think about the story and jot down the main characters with their physical detail.
Some writers keep changing their script and introduce new characters along whereas some decide in the starting about the characters they will make and carry one. Decide on what you want and then start.
Once you are done with the above background make a basic story as you need to know the basic plot line which you will carry along before writing their dialogues. You should write it down so that you may not stray from the plot. Confused writers can never make it forward in script writing.
Then work on the styles of characters, how they speak and what they speak. Make the dialogues realistic so that people may associate themselves to it. A successful script is the one which people can remember and relate to it in some way. Explain the voices and personality of the characters created which will clarify their attitudes and the way they speak.
Every scene needs detail. Make sure you are giving the time of the day, the place where the scene is taking place and the action the characters are making. These are equally important along with the dialogues. Leave a single line after every character’s dialogue so that no one can mix them. Write the names of the characters in bold and before their dialogues. And make sure you mention before each scene whether it took place in interior or exterior. If the Scene is in interior write INT. if in exterior write EXT. Whereas if the scene is taken place outside and moves inside write EXT. / INT. and vice versa.
Once you are done script writing, go through it repeatedly to find the mistakes and make the corrections. Ask any acquaintance to proof read it for you. The people who have an experience of script writing will be the best to guide you. Ask a friend or two to read it aloud for you this will clarify your thoughts and you can think better while listening.
Make one thing clear in your mind that you are a human being and can make mistakes. Give yourself some room and enjoy writing. Lastly, do not forget to copyright your work.