Be it a blockbuster movie, an indie gem, a play on The Fringe or the West End – scripts are where it (usually) begins. Scriptwriters not only get to watch loads of TV and call it ‘work’ – they get to create new worlds, re-invent old ones and give life to new voices.
Playwright and Scriptwriting Tutor, Frazer Flintham, gives us his top ten tips to get you on your way, showing us that you dont necessarily need to spend ten years in the British Library – you can sometimes just grab a script and a bag of crisps and start munching…
Script writing is an art form that brings stories to life. It requires creativity, skill, and perseverance to craft compelling scripts that engage audiences
Whether you want to write for the screen, stage, radio, or other media, these 10 tips will help you develop expert-level script writing abilities:
1. Learn Storytelling Fundamentals
At its core, script writing is about storytelling. That’s why studying story structure and elements is essential for every aspiring writer. Some key fundamentals to learn include:
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Three-act structure – Most scripts follow a three-act format with a clear beginning, middle, and end
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Character development -Scripts bring characters to life through action, dialogue, and relationships.
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Scene construction – Scenes drive the story forward and reveal new information.
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Conflict and tension – Incorporating obstacles that the protagonist must overcome creates suspense and interest.
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Dialogue – Dialogue moves the plot forward and discloses character personalities and motivations.
Having a mastery of core storytelling principles provides a strong foundation for writing compelling scripts.
2. Take Classes to Hone Your Skills
Whether you’re a total novice or experienced writer, classes can help take your skills to the next level. Look for courses that focus on:
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Your medium – Take screenwriting classes for film and TV or stage playwriting for theater.
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Specific script formats – Mastering formatting intricacies is critical.
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Writing exercises – Practice makes perfect so apply learnings through writing exercises.
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Instructor feedback – Expert input can reveal blindspots in your writing.
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Peer review – Feedback from fellow students provides valuable perspective.
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Industry standards – Learn exactly what script readers and producers look for.
Don’t be afraid to invest time and money to educate yourself – it will pay dividends in the quality of your scripts.
3. Study Creative Works Extensively
Immerse yourself in scripts of your chosen medium by reading or watching them intently. Analyze what makes them work including structure, character development, dialogue, scene construction, pacing and more.
Pay attention to formatting as well. See how professional scripts format elements like scene headers, action lines, character intros, transitions, and parentheticals.
The more examples you study, the more craft mastery you’ll absorb. This will provide creative inspiration when it’s time to write your own original scripts.
4. Develop Consistent Writing Habits
Writing excellence requires discipline. That’s why creating regular writing habits is essential.
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Set a daily or weekly writing goal to stay on track, whether it’s word count or a certain number of scenes.
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Claim a consistent time and place to write where you can focus.
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Mimic a professional writing schedule as much as possible.
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Limit distractions and avoid editing until you complete your daily goal.
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Use tools like website blockers, freedom apps, or noise-cancelling headphones to create an optimal writing environment.
5. Write Stories You Feel Passionately About
The most memorable scripts are passion projects. When you truly connect with a story, your enthusiasm will come through in the writing.
Write about:
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Characters that intrigue you
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Worlds you want to explore
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Themes or ideas you care about
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Experiences you find fascinating
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Concepts inspired by your unique interests and perspective
Writing with genuine passion will make the process more enjoyable and result in scripts brimming with creativity and vision.
6. Finish Your First Draft
It can be tempting to obsess over details, but don’t! Completing a first draft is an accomplishment. Fight the urge to constantly revise. Just focus on getting the story out.
Finishing your script provides the raw material to refine and polish. Perfectionism early on causes writer’s block.
Set milestones and celebrate finishing significant pieces like a full outline, treatment, sample scenes, or first act. Momentum begets more momentum.
7. Master Proper Script Formatting
Formatting may seem trivial but poor execution can get your script immediately rejected. Each medium has precise rules for formatting elements like:
- Sluglines
- Scene descriptions
- Transitions
- Character names and dialogues
- Parentheticals
- Page layout
Use screenwriting software or download script templates. Read several professionally formatted scripts. Format right from the start – fixing formatting errors in rewrites wastes time.
8. Find a Mentor or Writing Group
A second set of experienced eyes provides invaluable feedback. Having a mentor or joining a writing group can help you:
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Identify strengths and areas for improvement in your writing.
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Brainstorm ideas and troubleshoot story issues.
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Stay motivated, inspired, and accountable.
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Make influential connections in the industry.
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Learn how scripts move through development and production.
9. Rewrite, Revise and Refine
Even excellent scripts require significant rewrites. Be prepared to revise your script through multiple drafts.
Use feedback from mentors, classes, and script competitions to recognize areas for improvement.
Let your script sit for a while between revisions to get a fresh perspective. Over time, continue enhancing it until the story flows seamlessly.
10. Persist Through Rejection
Rejections are part of the process. Don’t let them discourage you. Develop resilience and believe in your storytelling gifts.
Stay motivated by focusing on your long-term goals, appreciating small successes, and connecting with a community of writers.
Keep querying managers, entering paid script competitions, applying to development labs, pitching studios, and looking for opportunities to get your work into the right hands.
With dedication and perseverance, you can build an acclaimed writing career. Now get out there, hone your craft, and start bringing your story ideas to life on the page! You’ve got this.
Make sure your characters want something.
From your protagonist, to the waitress in the café serving tea. When you know what your characters want, your next job is to make it hard for them to get it.
Starting out – write about what you know
Work. Family. Childhood. Or things that get you excited. Things that make you so mad you want to throw bricks. Write the script instead.
3 Rules Beginning Screenwriters Need To Know – Dr. Ken Atchity
How to write a good script?
The collaborative energy often sparks new ideas and leads to stronger, more dynamic scripts. Feedback is invaluable in script writing. Embrace critiques and suggestions, as they can help you identify blind spots and improve your work. Constructive feedback can elevate your script to new heights.
How do I become a good scriptwriter?
To become a good scriptwriter, it’s helpful to understand the role and how they develop their writing skills. In this article, we define what a scriptwriter does, describe the qualities of a good scriptwriter and outline the steps for improving your scriptwriting skills. Related: 23 Exciting Jobs in the Film Industry What is a scriptwriter?
What makes a good scriptwriter?
Professionalism: Professionalism is an important quality for scriptwriters because the job often requires them to meet with network executives and producers. Having a professional demeanor can help scriptwriters make a good impression on these industry professionals.
How do you write a script?
Ron Lach/Unsplash Write what you know: Script ideas are conceived in different ways for everybody, but it all starts with thinking about what you’d like to write about in the first place. Once you plant that seed in your mind, you’ll start to draw inspiration from everything around you, including your own life.
