Script Writing and Development
A collection of tips co-constructed by my Level 2 Media Studies class.
All characters should have clear emotional arcs (i.e. The Wizard of Oz)
Character need to be distinctive (i.e. melodramas)
Characters should be relatable and real.
Are telling the viewers 2 stories, what they tell us about themselves, and what other characters tell us about them. (reactions, opinions etc)
Stick to stereotypes so that they audience can tell who they are.
Perfect characters are not realistic - your characters should have some flaws in order to make them more relatable.
Challenge your characters. What do they like/dislike? Give them the complete opposite.
Give your characters opinions in order for them to be more relatable.
Donât always make the character instantly badass. Nobody likes an instant badass all the time. Make them work for it, to achieve this success. âRome wasnât built in a day.â
Your character should have a goal.
Step into your characterâs shoes. How would you react if you were in that situation, and what would make you act that way? This helps to develop the character into someone more relatable to the audience.
Donât have throwaway characters - try to fit in as much as makes sense to key characters.
give your characters opinions :)
Creating what you want in a character and work around the biography, Never assume a character will be created by a guess.
Start with an answer, end with a question.
Make the scene build up to a turning point.
Not all answers are needed. (2+2)
Have settings relevant to the narrative.
Make a realistic ending... donât use the typical cliche, be original.
Having trouble in a scene keeps the viewers interested.
Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle.
Have each scene like a chapter.
Try and film in a well lit area.
Film scenes multiple times with different dialogue.
Just because youâre not happy with the placement, doesnât mean you have to keep it, change it as many times as you like, cling to your vision.
Make the audience be on a journey!!!!
Donât try too hard to stick to your âtheme.â Oftentimes, it will come by itself.
Show donât tell - this is a visual medium. Tell the story visually. Dialogue should be non-existent/minimal.
Use strategies to help sound issues. I.e. voice over that is recorded separately from your location.
Use sound effects to make it the atmosphere more realistic, dramatic etc and set the tone of the film.
How the story is told is more important than what the story is about.
Cut out what you donât really need.
Tension will draw in the audience.
Use language that fits into your characters personality or background.
Show the film through imagery, not a speech.
Try using realistic dialogue and not dialogue that is barely relatable and doesnât make sense.
Try not to convey information in huge chunks of dialogue. Show not tell.
Set the tone of the film.
If you have bad background noise then add music.
Don't have characters talk about what they already know.
Seeming that weâre having minimal dialogue, only use it when itâs completely necessary
Alfred Hitchcock on evoking an emotional response
Film Riot - Learn to Write Screenplays for Film
Celtx - software to help you write your script