ScriptWriting

Scriptwriting Common Problems

Common Problems Found in Scriptwriting

Active verbs - jumps, cries, saunters, sweats

Don't use is jumping, is crying, is sweating

Note - If all the characters are doing is walking then your script is boring. The characters cannot only walk but they can saunter, wander, shuffle, rush, hurry, skip, double-step, etc.

Present tense -

Bad - John was sweating buckets of water.

Better - John wipes his face with the towel to remove the sweat from his face.

Don't use passive voice - can be, was, were, has, have, is jumping, was walking, could have done that...

Don't use "ly" or "ing" words unless in dialogue. After you have completed your script go through it and find all the ing and ly words and change them or rewrite the sentence to get rid of these.

Parentheticals - are to be used to show an emotion and it must be s

Use a Slugline for each new scene. Many forget and keep writing, following the character as he/she moves from place to place and character to character.

Remember - When a character enters, different location, or a prop is added, a new scene happens. A Scene Heading/ Slugline must be used.

Example - EXT. Knoxville Streets - Night

Character Names - Never start two or more character names with the same letter

When a character enters the script for the first time, the entire name must be capitalized. After the first time the name is written normally.

Always use correct grammar - ALWAYS!

Don't use exclamation points in the script. - Either in the action paragraph or use parentheticals to show excitement or emotion.

Use dialogue to tell the story. Action shows what is happening while the dialogue is being said.

Be sure to end a question, dialogue or action, with a question mark.

Write out all numbers unless the number is being used in an address, phone number, or email. Instead of writing "10 jars", write "ten jars"

Be careful of moving body parts -

Arms waving

His eyes shoot up

Heart jumps

Dialogue length is a thumbs width. - If you have big hands about half of your thumb width. Small hands can add two or three lines to the width. Monologues are used to indicate character growth or becoming vengeful. Not usually found in scripts today.

Don't use italics or bold to emphasize

Don't write GIVENS unless it is part of the story. - It is assumed everyone gets out of bed, brushes teeth, dresses, has something to drink, and leaves for work or school.

After FADE IN there must be a Slugline and then an action scene. This action paragraph helps to provide a tone / feel for the story. Don't start with dialogue immediately after the Slugline at any time unless it is a continuation of the last scene.

When having, a character do something in the middle of their dialogue, an action is written then the character's name with (cont'd) beside it indicates the character is continuing in that same thought.

JOHN

Why is this happening?

John moves to the other side of the room.

JOHN (CONT"D)

(laughing hysterically)

I know why.

Don't capitalize any dialogue. - The action or parentheticals should show the emotion that capitalizing dialogue would if capitalize.

Keep Continuity in your writing. Don't use the number 1 part of the time and switch to the word spelled out, one.

Scene and Sequence of Scenes - When you find yourself following the character without breaking the action into scenes, you're writing to one thought. This is called a Sequence of Scenes.

ONLY WRITE WHAT IS SEEN AND HEARD. Don't add thoughts, feelings, or anything that would require a voice-over (VO) to let the audience know about it.

Example: "Hearing whispers he approaches the door from which they are behind." Now unless the audience is where they can actually pinpoint where the sound is coming from, then don't write "...which they are behind." Also this is an assumption.

Example: "Grant gets in his hover car and drives to the local pub where they hang out after work sometimes." Obviously "where they hang out after work sometimes" is a thought. Only those who did this would know. The audience would only know this if it is shown during the set-up or someone gives it in dialogue.