pajarita_deDios
12-16-2007, 03:44 AM
I had promised to send kskj777 some guidelines I have on screenwriting. Unfortunately school took over all of my free time. I decided to go ahead and post in the lounge so that anyone who's interested can take a look, or help out.
All of this information is based purely on how I was taught, and I do not claim it as the absolute guide to screenwriting (in fact if I miss something, or get something wrong, I welcome any correction or input)
The first thing to know when writing a screenplay or any story is the 3 act structure. Even if you want to go beyond that and experiment, you always need to know the rules to be able to get around them.
In a typical screenplay the first act will introduce all of the characters that will play key roles in the story (affect what happens in the story). By the end of the first act you will have introduced the conflict (or put the character in a squeeze).
In the second act you will close the noose tighter and tighter until the character is at their most stressed (mentally, physically, etc.).
In the third act the conflict will reach it's climactic point and the main character will have to make a decision. After that, the resolution occurs.
That's just a quick basic rundown.
When it comes to actually writing the screenplay, if you're serious about it, you will need to either purchase or download a free screenplay program. Personally I use the free demo of FinalDraft, although I also have Hollywood screenplay. I find that FD is easier to maneuver in and the demo lasts for however long you need it, and allows all functions (you will notice that your files will have FD watermark when they print, however). The link to that download is here(http://www.finaldraft.com/products/final-draft/)
There is a basic "jargon" I suppose you could call it, that you will need to become comfortable with if you haven't already.
Scene Heading is used when changing from one scene to another (this includes looking at the same scene from inside of a doorway instead of outside) You will also need to assign the time of day by using DAY, or NIGHT on the end of the scene heading. It should look like this:
PAUL'S HOME - DAY
After scene headings comes the ACTION sequences. You should use these like shots in the film. Every time you change shots, you should start a new action sequence. The action sequence will not be headed by anything and looks like this:
Paul steps into the doorway.
He takes his coat off and throws it onto the floor.
Dialogue can also come after scene headings, however. Dialogue uses three different labels to communicate WHO, HOW and WHAT the character says. In caps will be character's name who is speaking. You can use a parenthetical underneath to dictate emotion (not action). Underneath that will be the dialogue.
PAUL
(sadly)
I'm tired.
There are various functions who can use such as FADE IN: or FADE OUT:
However, I was taught to stay away from these unless you really need them.
Stay away from expressing things in the action sequences that the audience cannot see:
Paul sits down, he is so tired he feels dead
This isn't something that the audience can see. Remember that screenwriting is an entirely different medium, and although it has some of the some aspects as writing a manuscript you must give it the respect it deserves as it's own art. There isn't any need to be flowery. Good straight forward sentences will you much better. You have to learn to get to the point (which is hard for me because as classic writer I want to give everything a flowing poetry. The truth however, is that it just isn't needed. If you write well, and construct a good plausible story, you don't need flowery words.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you must pay very close attention to keeping to the story that you set before the audience. For instance, if you put an audience into a normal everyday setting and then halfway through the second act, insert something supernatural you have now destroyed any suspension of disbelief that the audience may have had. So if you intend to have the supernatural appear you must build a world that allows for that.
Well, I have more, but I'll leave it here for now. Please feel free to help me make this a clear and concise explaination if it needs it. ;)
I hope this helps kskj!
All of this information is based purely on how I was taught, and I do not claim it as the absolute guide to screenwriting (in fact if I miss something, or get something wrong, I welcome any correction or input)
The first thing to know when writing a screenplay or any story is the 3 act structure. Even if you want to go beyond that and experiment, you always need to know the rules to be able to get around them.
In a typical screenplay the first act will introduce all of the characters that will play key roles in the story (affect what happens in the story). By the end of the first act you will have introduced the conflict (or put the character in a squeeze).
In the second act you will close the noose tighter and tighter until the character is at their most stressed (mentally, physically, etc.).
In the third act the conflict will reach it's climactic point and the main character will have to make a decision. After that, the resolution occurs.
That's just a quick basic rundown.
When it comes to actually writing the screenplay, if you're serious about it, you will need to either purchase or download a free screenplay program. Personally I use the free demo of FinalDraft, although I also have Hollywood screenplay. I find that FD is easier to maneuver in and the demo lasts for however long you need it, and allows all functions (you will notice that your files will have FD watermark when they print, however). The link to that download is here(http://www.finaldraft.com/products/final-draft/)
There is a basic "jargon" I suppose you could call it, that you will need to become comfortable with if you haven't already.
Scene Heading is used when changing from one scene to another (this includes looking at the same scene from inside of a doorway instead of outside) You will also need to assign the time of day by using DAY, or NIGHT on the end of the scene heading. It should look like this:
PAUL'S HOME - DAY
After scene headings comes the ACTION sequences. You should use these like shots in the film. Every time you change shots, you should start a new action sequence. The action sequence will not be headed by anything and looks like this:
Paul steps into the doorway.
He takes his coat off and throws it onto the floor.
Dialogue can also come after scene headings, however. Dialogue uses three different labels to communicate WHO, HOW and WHAT the character says. In caps will be character's name who is speaking. You can use a parenthetical underneath to dictate emotion (not action). Underneath that will be the dialogue.
PAUL
(sadly)
I'm tired.
There are various functions who can use such as FADE IN: or FADE OUT:
However, I was taught to stay away from these unless you really need them.
Stay away from expressing things in the action sequences that the audience cannot see:
Paul sits down, he is so tired he feels dead
This isn't something that the audience can see. Remember that screenwriting is an entirely different medium, and although it has some of the some aspects as writing a manuscript you must give it the respect it deserves as it's own art. There isn't any need to be flowery. Good straight forward sentences will you much better. You have to learn to get to the point (which is hard for me because as classic writer I want to give everything a flowing poetry. The truth however, is that it just isn't needed. If you write well, and construct a good plausible story, you don't need flowery words.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you must pay very close attention to keeping to the story that you set before the audience. For instance, if you put an audience into a normal everyday setting and then halfway through the second act, insert something supernatural you have now destroyed any suspension of disbelief that the audience may have had. So if you intend to have the supernatural appear you must build a world that allows for that.
Well, I have more, but I'll leave it here for now. Please feel free to help me make this a clear and concise explaination if it needs it. ;)
I hope this helps kskj!