Most people do not know how to write a script in the default script format and that’s exactly why I’m composing this post. It’s after all the job of someone with altrusic qualities to educate the masses on what they are ignorant of. Here, I shall describe how to write a basic script which any 5 years old can whip up but in the CORRECT FORMAT. Let’s begin now!
UPDATE: I just realised that the formatting for the example script is extremely daft. So, I will put up the script here in a word file. Do use that file to go through over what that is taught in the post. Here is the file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?5banmdgqbap
You can google for any free scriptwriting software or you just use this delicious Microsoft Word style to write your scripts:
http://www.mediafire.com/?aaaaamdamac
First of all, when you begin a scene, always state the location and time in BLOCK LETTERS at the beginning before you describe the scene. Like this:
EXT. DESERT – DAY
INT. RED COLOUR HOUSE – MIDNIGHT
EXT. ANFIELD – AFTERNOON
In case you don’t know what INT. and EXT. meant, it’s INTERIOR and EXTERIOR. You must always state that to acknowledge whether it is inside the location of interest or outside. This is to avoid confusion for readers and to save time for others to set up the location for filming.
Next, describe the scene below the location and time. Like this:
EXT. DESERT – DAY
A BIG MOUNTAIN stood in the vast horizon. The big mountain then exploded. The air smells like bile and the heat is like roasting ham on a radiator. Flies flutter around like madmen chasing a monkey.
A BIG DOG walked into view. It walks on two legs and bla bla lba bllalblal.
That’s how you describe a scene it its entirety. Notice how important objects or plot interests are introduced in block letters. Those are meant to be noticed by the audience. It doesn’t matter if a scene is too detailed in its description. It can be long or short. After all, it is subjected to change at the whims of the director and other important departments.
Now, it is time for dialogues to be used. An example below:
EXT. DESERT – DAY
A BIG MOUNTAIN stood in the vast horizon. The big mountain then exploded. The air smells like bile and the heat is like roasting ham on a radiator. Flies flutter around like madmen chasing a monkey.
A BIG DOG walked into view. It walks on two legs and bla bla lba bllalblal.
DOG
Woof woof woof woof woof. I liek the atmosphere here.
ADAM
Yes I agree with you. this smell is invigorating.
Notice how the names are written in BLOCK LETTERS and aligned to the centre. This is to easily indicate that a character is going to speak. A format like this eases actors in terms of scanning through the script for dialogues. The dialogue is also aligned to the centre but it does not have as much indentation as the character’s name. This is also for the same purpose as before.
All in all, a correct script format goes like this:
EXT. DESERT – DAY
A BIG MOUNTAIN stood in the vast horizon. The big mountain then exploded. The air smells like bile and the heat is like roasting ham on a radiator. Flies flutter around like madmen chasing a monkey.
A BIG DOG walked into view. It walks on two legs and bla bla lba bllalblal.
DOG
Woof woof woof woof woof. I liek the atmosphere here.
ADAM
Yes I agree with you. this smell is invigorating.
PAN DOWN to Dog’s legs. A large WART can be seen protruding out of his knee.
DOG
Let’s go to hospital to treat this wart!!
Both of them begin walking to the HOSPITAL barely visible on the screen.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL – NIGHT
Dog and Adam are now exiting the hospital after receiving treatment.
PAN AROUND QUICKLY to both characters back and forth
DOG
Woof woof woof woof woof. My wart had been a nuisance.
ADAM
(laughing)
Well, you finally got rid of it! HAHAHAHA!
Notice the camera movements, actions being described in the dialogue and transition. The transition can be anything depending on the appropriateness. Examples are FADE TO, WIPE TO, BLUR TO or JUMP TO.
IMPORTANT: Use this word file as a reference instead of the above badly formatted script:
http://www.mediafire.com/?5banmdgqbap
The actual font used must be Courier Final Draft with a font size of 12. Even better, you can just use some free scriptwriting softwares lying around the internet. Just ask Google for those free software. You can also use this delicious Microsoft Word style to write your scripts:
http://www.mediafire.com/?aaaaamdamac
Well, that’s about it. Have fun writing scripts now that you actually know how to write one! Script-writing is a form of art so only write a script when you can produce a good one.
CREDITS: Written by me.
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