Writing a Film Script

1. Writing a Film Script

2. Formatting your Film Script Here is some terminology for the different parts of the layout of a film script… As well as making notes, label the example script using the terminology.

3. Scene Heading or Slugline This tell us the scene number, whether the scene is inside or outside, the location and the time of day. 1. INT. BEDROOM - MORNING 2. EXT. LAS VEGAS STRIP – SUNSET These are followed by a description of the visuals of the scene – The action

4. The Action • The ‘action’ or ‘description’ sets the scene, describes the setting, and allows you to introduce your characters and set the stage for your story. • The Action is always written in REAL TIME so it uses present tense. 1. EXT. KEY WEST MARINA – DAWN Sailboats, yachts, and cabin cruisers all bob up and down in the warm blue water.

5. Dialogue The character’s names are always capitalised. They are indented 3.5 inches from the left. The dialogue is indented 2.5 inches (although this can be approximate for your script!) INT. MASTER SUITE - MORNING Expensive designer sheets cover JULIE COOPER, 25. Sunlight filters through portholes over her. FRANKIE CAMPISI, 38 enters. FRANKIE Rise and shine, Bluebird. Time to spread your wings and fly.

6. Parentheticals These tell the director and actors how a character is delivering their line. Use these sparingly though – only when they are absolutely necessary! You might also notice that a script says (beat) – this is an emphasised pause to show a change in the focus or mood of the dialogue… JULIE (sleepily) What? What time is it? FRANKIE (entering the bedroom) After six. You're gonna be late again and I don't want to hear it.

7. Extension This indicates where a character is speaking from for example: OS – off screen – a character is speaking but is not present in the scene OC – off camera - a character is in the scene but is not seen in the shot when they speak VO – voice over – a speaker narrates the action that happens on screen but is not visible. FRANKIE (V.O.) I knew I wasn't gonna get in that shower for at least 45 minutes, so I went for a run.

8. Transitions These are only found in the shooting script rather than the one that the writer would submit. Examples of transitions are: Cut to – one scene cuts to another Dissolve to – images goes blurry and is replaced by the next scene Smash Cut – a sudden cut from one scene to the next Quick cut – a quick cut from one scene to the next Fade to – scene gradually fades in to replace another Fade out – a scene gradually fades out to be replaced by another Frankie pulls on a pair of shorts, slips into some running shoes and exits. CUT TO:

9. Shots Again, these would usually only be found in the shooting script… Angle on – this describes the angle of the shot and could be high, low, long, medium Extreme close up – a close up of something/someone Pan to – a stationary camera moves in or out or from side to side POV – shows a character’s point of view Reverse angle – shot taken in the direction that the person is looking from behind them Establishing shot – establishes setting Tracking shot – tracks the character Wide shot – shows everything/one in the scene

10. Also think about… • Montages • Flashbacks • Freeze frames And look at some examples of scripts at: • www.screenwriting.info • The BBC Writers’ Room • IMSDB