The Single-Column Drama ScriptWriting for the Screen

E.Q: What makes a script?

Before You Script• A screenplay is a complicated and technical

document. Think of it like an architect’s drawing– every mark and line tells the rest of the team (carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc.) something important and specific that they understand because they know the language. The script is a blueprint for your technical staff. If the blueprint is off, the project falls to chaos.

Before You Script

• Since your script is a technical document, first you must plot your story and develop your characters in a more free-form, creative way.

• Then you can write a scene-by-scene

• Finally you can begin your professional script

Common Abbreviations• INT: Interior location; leads your scene description

• EXT: Exterior location; leads your scene description

• O.S: Off-screen; used alongside dialogue placed next to the character name

• V.O.: Voice-Over; used alongside dialogue placed next to the character name

• CONT’D: Continued; written next to the character’s name when they have been interrupted by exposition.

Common Transitions• CUT TO: • DISSOLVE TO:• SMASH CUT: • QUICK CUT:• FADE TO:• FADE OUT:

• Note: Transitions receive their own line. Use them only when absolutely necessary

Common Shots• ANGLE ON—• EXTREME CLOSE UP—• PAN TO—• LAURA’S POV—• REVERSE ANGLE—

• Note: Only use when necessary. Why?

Structure

• Your script should be in Courier 12 font– One page will be about one minute

• Scripts capitalize Scene Headings, Camera Angles, and Character Introductions

• Dialogue is centered on the page with 2.5 inch margins on each side

• Parentheticals are indented about 3 inches on each side

• Shots are formatted like Scene Headings

Script Elements• Scene Headings are written in all caps at the beginning of

a new scene– Example: (INT.- HOSPITAL ROOM- NIGHT)

• The Action (or Description) sets up the scene and allows for introductions

Example: The CAMERA FRAMES and MOVES with the lone horseman. He is ETHAN EDWARDS, a man as hard as the country he is crossing. Ethan is in his forties, with a three-day stubble of beard. Dust is caked in the lines of his face and powders his clothing.

• Note the Action is written in present tense as it happens in real time.

Script Elements• Parentheticals are used to express an attitude or an action

associated with the dialogue – Examples: (Curtly) or (Opening the door)

• Dialogue is writing what the characters say.Example:

ETHAN Ben, ain't you? Ben nods.

ETHAN (frowning at Debbie)

Lucy, you ain't much bigger than when I saw you last.

DEBBIE I'm Deborah! (pointing) She's Lucy.

Q: What should your script accomplish?

A: A script should outline every aural, visual, behavioral, and lingual element required to tell a story.

A script should outline every aural, visual, behavioral, and lingual element required to tell a story.

• A script is about outlines, not details– Film is a highly collaborative art.– The script is not the final product– Other writers may be called in to work with you– Other experts will contribute to the final product• (for example, if you write in a “green dress” and the

costume designer prefers blue, it will be changed unless that dress is important to the plot)

The Searchers (1956)

• Read the opening of The Searchers once carefully• View the opening of the film• Compare your experiences of the two• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=_pIeL2Iz1jY&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

• Toy Story• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=jrIR2ys02AY&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Essential Question

Can a script be interpreted multiple ways?

Romeo and JulietRead Act I, Scene I then watch the following versions.

• 1968– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E77UpBsqZvI

• 1978– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3_T7b7p0hU

• 1993

Julius Caesar

• Adapt Skakespeare’s Julius Caesar to be a film script.

• Act III, Scene I – The Assassination of Caesar.• The best two scripts will be used to film a

version of the assassination of Caesar.