How to write a script for the film and sell: an example, sample, tips

Don't know how to write a film script? Read the article, it gives advice, there are samples and examples.

Content

Is there a great idea for your future film? Are you wondering how to turn it into megachit? This is the most important thing that any potential screenwriter should master before writing the script. The idea and desire to make it films, the hit of the season is the basis of the creation of a film that teachers and writers passed on to their students for many years. When you get acquainted with them and write your own scenario, you will gain this knowledge, owning which you will create more and more masterpieces.

Read in another article on our website about Kinoplyaps in films - absurd, Soviet, famous. This is the best selection.

This article describes how to write a script correctly. You will learn how to look for stories, heroes, and most importantly - this is the goal, conflict and tension injection, which the viewer needs so much. Read further.

What will be needed to write a script for the film: Book, Programs

Of course, to write scripts, you need to learn a lot. But try to do it now. If you have a talent, then you can create masterpieces and study in the process. Here's what you need to write a script for the film:

Sid Field's book "Writing the script of the film" - This is a very useful manual that will answer many questions. Be sure to buy this book and study it from beginning to end.
To save time: script formatting program, paid Final Draft - You can download it here and free Celtx. Professional rouchHDRAFT program. You can download it on any software, For example, here.

If it’s hard for you to understand foreign programs, then try russian utility "Kit Screenwriter". Everything is clear on this site, and downloading the program is easy. So, you have all the necessary tools. Now you can start writing. Read further.

How to write a script for your own artistic, documentary, short, animated mini film, a horror movie and sell: a sample

At first it seems that writing a television center is difficult. But when you read the above book and download all the necessary programs, it will be much easier. It doesn’t matter what a movie will be - your own artistic, documentary, short, animated mini film or horror movie, there should be a story in the script. So, how to write a script and sell? Here is a sample and an example:

Find the story, hero, goal and conflict:

Surely, you met many people who said that they have a great idea for the film, describing their work, the story of their great -grandmother’s life or a journey through Europe.
However, the truth is that not every life situation is suitable for creating a television movie on it.
Conflict Located in the center of any dramatic story. If you already have an idea, form it as "Hero, goal, conflict". For example, a person (the main character) wants to become a pilot (goal), but must overcome his fear of flying, the disapproval of parents and the absence of an aircraft (conflict).
Almost any movie can be divided into these three components, without them you will have neither a movie nor a story, but only some set of uninteresting events for the viewer.

Read in another article on our website about what is the difference between the fantasy genre and fantasy. You will find comparisons, similarities and differences.

You must spend some time thinking about how much your character wants to achieve the goal. The more he should lose, the more spectators will interest the ending.

Remember: History, Hero, Purpose and Conflict- This is the basis of the foundations in writing the script.

Here is an example:

Video: How to write a script? Life hacks of the director

How to write a script for the film Grade 8: Three Acts

Now at school children are introduced to creativity. In the lesson of Russian literature in grade 8, they often ask to write a script for the film. Of course, it is difficult for a child to do this. But if you know the structure of the script, then there will be no problems. It consists of three acts. Almost every good movie is based on the so -called "Trechact structure". These three elements correspond to the natural development of the story:

Introduction - the first act
Development - second act
Final - the third act

In a typical scenario of a two -hour film (120 pages):

The first 30 pages of the script/30 minutes - This is the first act that determines the protagonist and his environment.
The following 60 pages/60 minutes - They draw up a second act in which the main character fights hardships to achieve the ultimate goal.
Last 30 pages/30 minutes - This is the third act in which the conflict is resolved and the hero reaches (or not) his goal.

The above pages, of course, are indicative. The goal is not to devote half the script to describe a five -minute battle with obstacles, and in the next 60 minutes to tell everything else. Everything should be in moderation - the heroes should act and not too slowly or not very quickly. This is not a mandatory rule of the screenwriter, but the law of nature. People live like this in this world. Once again I want to recommend a book Sida Field "Writing the script of the film". This is an exhaustive guide describing the structure of these three acts.

How to write a new script: big turns, example

Part of Sid Field's book on the structure of three actions includes the concept large rotary momentswhich begin after the climax of the first act. Scriptwriters usually use them so that the action is fast, and the story of touching and well -set. Simply put, the turning point is a great event that changes the action in a new, dramatic direction.

There are two rotary points in a typical scenario:

The first to introduce you to act 1
The next that leads to act 3

Remember: The main character overcomes adversity to achieve the goal.

Usually the first rotary point allows the hero to be at the beginning of the story, from which he will move to his ultimate goal. For example, in the movie "Beauty", wherein Julia Roberts agrees to the constant work of Richard Gira. The second turning point introduces the conflict most serious than the previous one, forcing the hero to make a new, more important decision. There are such turns in all standing films that almost all of us saw.

If we still consider "Star Wars" As an example, this one of the most popular and interesting films modernity, the ultimate goal is to "defeat the empire". The second rotary moment after the salvation of the princess - "Destruction of the Star of Death" - The last big battle for achieving the ultimate goal.

In the middle act 2 Usually there is a “middle” that looks like a turning point, but has a lower value. For example, in a movie "Back to the Future" The middle may be the moment when the dock learns how to return Marty in the 80s. This gives stories a powerful impulse in a new direction.

Video: The structure of the script is simple and understandable!

Not to write a script correctly, but drawing in pictures: a sample

Learn to show, not speak. Not to write a script correctly, but to draw pictures. One of the most common mistakes of novice writers is to transfer the thoughts of their characters to paper. Show, not tell. Think pictures And transfer the images to the text of the script. Screenwriter - Not a writer who creates the final work.

The art of writing a film scene is to find a way to describe the story visually, using images. Instead of writing, for example, "He really loves her very much ...", you must write differently. Here is a sample:

“When Anna excitedly talked about what happened to her today, Adam, sitting deep in her chair, did not take her eyes off her.”.

Learning to write pictures is not easy, but necessary. The best way to know this skill is to read blockbuster scripts. See how the scriptwriters remake ordinary stories into words so that the director and actors can create an image that the screenwriter sees on the screen.

Remember:You are a screenwriter, not a writer. Learn to draw in your head, then it will be easier to endure thoughts in the form of pictures on paper.

We write the script, accelerating stress: Example

We write the script, accelerating the tension

Learn to escalate the tension. This feeling should have the form of an “arc”:

The action takes place to the climax, and then “subsides” as the conflict or some kind of puzzle resolves.

This is the path that you should follow when writing the script. For example, no one wants to watch the same guy again and again runs to the same tree along the same sidewalk. We want the action to unfold until some important point appears. If you make the structure of the script according to the type of “arc” described above, keep in mind that each conflict should be more significant than the one that preceded it.

How to write a script: an algorithm of actions, tips

Make a sketch of the script and structure it in accordance with what you have already learned. Here is an algorithm of your actions:

First, set the needle structure
Turning points and voltage increase
Create the main character and the goal that needs to be pursued
Come up with the mighty adversity standing in his way

After that, think about how to fit into the structure of the script. Here are another tips:

Keep the correct proportions between the first, second and third actions.
Think about what is the first and second turning points, what climax your scenario will have.
Are conflicts intensifying? After all, as mentioned above, a flat story is not interesting to anyone.

Does your script have a description of important scenes that perfectly tell one or another story? The correctly drawn up plan will avoid failures. Therefore, it is important to spend a little time on the definition and accurate setting of all stages of the script.

Here are a few more important tips:

Study the basics of formatting or upload a program that formates the text for you. Most novice writers spend the most time on this process. For some reason, they think that the biggest problem when writing a script is the text itself and put everything in its place.
Do not think about the camera and avoid official speech or some kind of jargon. Let the director, based on your film scene, will pick up the best personnel, and the actors will say everything themselves and “revive” the text with their unique phrases.

Remember: The basis is a good and understandable text. Choose a method and a formatting program that will facilitate the script for the director.

As a result, you will reach the moment when the novice screenwriter will have to move from theoretical foundations to practice. So constantly write, and if possible, then daily. Even if you are difficult and do not want, write anyway. Be prepared for corrections. As I said once Ernest Hemingway: "The first sketch of anything - shit". Remember this. Good luck and a pleasant creative process!