Many of us like to watch an interesting movie or read an entertaining story. But if you need to write a script on your own, this can be difficult. How can one cope with such a task? Consider the main methods.
Create your universe
How to write a script? The first thing to do is to create a world in which the action will take place. In general terms, it consists of the following structural elements:
- Geographical location, historical era, religion, political system, climate, season. In other words, a general idea of the world.
- The social relations prevailing in this universe, its social system.
In other words, the world of each work consists of what people observe around them every day. Since writing the script correctly means creating for the reader the full effect of immersion in a new atmosphere, this world should be presented as the heroes of history themselves see it.
One of the biggest mistakes novice screenwriters make is to talk about all the details of the world in the first chapter. You should not describe the weather in the city or the features of its architecture for a long time. Such a beginning will not be able to interest the reader or cinema viewer. Even if a work is written in the fantasy genre, the world should be shown only through the eyes of characters.
Populate the world with heroes
Since it is impossible to write a script without populating the world created by heroes, this is the next step that the author should stop at. The creation of heroes is directly related to the creation of the character of each of them. What does this word mean? Under the character refers to the structure of persistent personality traits that determine the characteristics of its behavior and relationships with the world. Thus, the character consists of the following elements:
- Energy level. The hero can be strong or weak, passive.
- Temperament. This term refers to the speed of its reaction to the events of the world.
- Features of behavior in society - whether the hero is an introvert or an extrovert.
- Habits or stereotypes of behavior.
To make the script fascinating, the hero must be a bright personality. After all, it’s stupid to wait for great things from an ordinary person. It must also be specific. The hero must clearly know what he wants and what he is striving for.
In addition, it is important to remember credibility. Scriptwriters do not recommend copying the characters of already familiar people. After all, just they may turn out to be implausible in the work.
To make a plan
“Help me write the script” is the cry of the soul of many students and schoolchildren who happened to deal with this kind of task. When the world of the work has already been created, it has all the necessary “hooks” and the main characters, you can proceed to writing the plan of the work. It is important to remember that the first few tens of pages of a book or script for a film will be decisive. They capture the attention of the cinema viewer or reader. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the middle of the work to bring shock to it.
To do this, it is useful to answer a few questions:
- What worries the protagonist of the work?
- What does he or she want more than anything else?
- What forces oppose the fulfillment of this desire?
Then you should describe the actions to achieve the hero's desired goal. And when the dream has almost become a reality, you must again leave the character "with nothing." The reader must understand: the hero will have to work hard before he reaches the desired goal.
Find "hooks" in the plot
When the world has already been created, you can proceed to the next stage. Now we must understand what exactly sets in motion this universe. Characters can have a variety of problems - difficulties in relationships, meetings with representatives of distant alien civilizations, the struggle with their inner demons.
When the main characters are busy solving their tasks that provoke a conflict, and the story itself is filled with dangers of an external and internal nature, such “hooks” will be immediately found.
Friends and foes
How to write a script that will be really interesting to the movie-goer? In order for the story to be eventful, enemies of the main character must be present in it. It is they who work day and night so that he cannot achieve his goal. As a rule, this role is played by an antihero. But there are other "villains." However, the latter do not have to be enemies of the main character. They may not even know him, but for some reason harm him.
Write a screenplay
How to write a script for the film so that the final product is interesting and exciting for the viewer? For those who want to make a feature film or a documentary film, the following algorithm is suitable.
- Idea development. Outline of the main idea of the film. It should be formulated in one sentence. This summary is called online. It needs to be made intriguing and dramatic.
- Drawing up the script structure itself. The main idea should be divided into several plot points.
- The study of characters. It is necessary to list their advantages and disadvantages. In the process of development of events, the development of the character of the protagonist should be traced. The events of history teach him a new outlook on things.
- Phased compilation. How to write a script? One of the most important rules to ensure success is not to rush. Details can be added gradually. You can start by writing a synopsis (the plot, set out on 2-3 pages), then create a title (a short story with the main dialogs), and only then take for the whole script. These elements - synopsis, script and title - in drama are written only in the present tense.
- The final stage is editing the work. It is advisable to edit the manuscript several times. You need to make sure that the end result is consistent with the original plan. You can then show the script to close friends. Opinion from the side is most often objective.
Dialogues
Constructing dialogs is an essential part of scripting. The exchange of remarks between the main characters should not only fill in the gaps between actions, but also carry out several functions:
- Give information.
- Move action forward.
- Reveal the motivation of the characters, their dreams, needs, aspirations.
- Create an atmosphere of history.
How to write a script that will be of interest to the reader? Some playwrights advise making dialogs as short as possible, including as many actions as possible in the work. It is worth considering how the characters can convey what they want, only without words?
Example dialog for a script
Consider as an example a dialogue between spouses.
WIFE: Why are you lying again and doing nothing? We don’t have enough money to live until the end of the week.
WIFE: Why are you shouting so much? Everything is all right.
This example cannot be called successful. After all, the heroes say that each of them is already well known. This is an example of how to write a script that will not be of interest to the cinema viewer. Let's consider a more suitable example.
WIFE: That you are lying day-and-day, like a laziness! You are no use.
WIFE: Do not get boiled, my dear. Soon everything will work out, we will have money.
WIFE: You can only talk. And then nothing comes out of your idle talk (blushing, breaking the family vase).
SPOUSE. Well, I do not. I won’t allow to beat the dishes inherited from my aunt! I pack my things and leave!
This is an example of how to write a script for a film that will appeal to viewers or readers for a long time will attract their attention.
Following the rules described, everyone can write an interesting script. By analyzing the dialogues of works and films, this will be much easier.