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Home: Video University Forums: Filmmakers & Screenwriters:
Starting a script?

X-Jeff_Smith
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Jun 28, 2004, 9:06 PM

Post #1 of 6 (2241 views)
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Starting a script?	Can't Post

I need advise on writing a script for a movie. What's the best way to get started?

X-blah
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Jun 29, 2004, 1:31 PM

Post #2 of 6 (2239 views)
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Re: Starting a script?	Can't Post

: I need advise on writing a script for a movie. What's the best way to get started?

you need to know three things, 1) how to tell a story, 2) how to structure a story and
3) how to format a script.
a good place to start for the first two items is Syd Field's book "Screenplay."
Remember, this is not the bible, just one guys take on screenwriting. He has a book
as well as a dvd on the subject.
William Goldman wrote a great book entitled, "Which Lie did i tell?" that is pretty
informative. He has actually sold some screenplays and Syd Fields has not.
Although Syd gives you a good idea on proper structuring.
for formatting, i've seen some sites on the web that tell you how to format your
script so the reader won't throw it out in the first 2 pages. Cannot remember
those links but if you search, you shall find.
good luck,
blah

X-blah
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Jul 1, 2004, 12:23 AM

Post #3 of 6 (2239 views)
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here is the structure [In reply to]	Can't Post

here are notes i found that made for structure of your script. this is very simplified:
ACT I (20-30 pp)
The Setup
- dramatic premise
- the main characters
- the situations
- relationships between characters

Incident that initiates the action of the story

Plot Point 1 (takes us to next act)

ACT II 60pp
The Confrontation
- character must hit obstacle after obstacle to achieve their dramatic need

Pinch 1 (roughly 15 pages in; event that moves things forward)
MidPoint
Pinch 2

Plot Point 2 (roughly 45 pages in; gets us into next act)
- incident or event that spins action around into another direction.

ACT III 20-30pp
The Resolution
- what is the solution of the story?

- main character succeed? fail? live or die?

1
8 2 The Known

7 ------------------------- 3
6 4 The Unknown
5

CIRCLE OF ACTION
1. Character is in a zone of comfort (ACT I)
2. But they want something (ACT I)
3. They enter an unfamiliar situation (END OF ACT I)
4. Adopt to it. (ACT II)
5. Get what they wanted (ACT II)
6. Pay a heavy price for it (END ACT II)
7. Return to a familiar situation
8. Having changed (ACT III)

bird16
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Jul 5, 2004, 10:48 PM

Post #4 of 6 (2215 views)
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Re: [X-Jeff_Smith] Starting a script? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey, I'm far from an expert, but I can pass on some information a former instructor gave me. ACT 1 The Motivational Act Exposition: The who, what, where, when and why of the story. Collision: An incident that forces the main character to make a decision-generally it is something new or unusual to his/her experience. Decision: A tangible, specific decision made by the main character to do or achieve something. ACT 2 The Conflict Act Conflict: A series of obstacles and setbacks faced by the main character in attempting to realize his/her Act 1 decision. Crisis: An incident/situation that jeopardizes continued pursuit of the Act 1 goal. The point at which the main character is overwhelmed by the futility and the likelihood of failure. Often, his/her lowest point in the story. Recognition: Discovery by the main character of a final, make-or-break course of action relative to the Act 1 decision-often the 'lull before the storm', the scene leading directly to the climax. ACT 3 The Resolution Act Climax: The scene in which the main character realizes or does not realize his/her Act 1 decision-the resolving action of the story. Resolution: The resultant effects of the climax-has the main character realized the Act1 decision-how has the main character changed? This is a structure that dates back to Aristotle-the monomyth. The best advice I received was to observe everything, keep a log verbal or visual-you never know when something will work in a shot, scene, or a sliver of dialogue.

videobear
Veteran

Jul 14, 2004, 9:04 AM

Post #5 of 6 (2144 views)
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Re: [X-blah] Starting a script? [In reply to]	Can't Post

For the formatting part, there is inexpensive scriptwriting software or plugins for Word available that make it easy to format a script in either the cinematic or the two-column form. Hal sells a couple of 'em right here on the site.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

editextreme
New User

Jul 16, 2004, 1:15 PM

Post #6 of 6 (2105 views)
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Re: [X-Jeff_Smith] Starting a script? [In reply to]	Can't Post

There's a good website that may help - they have a sectionwith free resources just for beginning screenwriters

http://fade.to/madscreenwriter