Film Scriptwriting

Things to think about when Scriptwriting:

1. Every scene should have a purpose and move the story forward
You should be looking to achieve something with every scene. Every scene should also move the story forward in terms of both the plot and character and each scene should connect and develop to the last scene.
2. Don’t tell when you can show
Movies are a visual medium, so be as visual as possible. There are times when it is more appropriate to tell. If you’re reaching the climax of an action packed scene then telling the reader makes events seem more sudden and gives them an instant impact.
3. Walk and talk
Wherever you have dialogue the characters should also be thrust into action. The audience's attention should be kept throughout the short time available to tell the story.
4. A scene should have a beginning, middle and end
A good scene should stand alone as dramatic while tying into the previous scene and leading to the next. Have a character with a goal, setback and some sort of conclusion while leaving a loose end for the next scene to take up.
5. Avoid unnecessary scenes
Don’t have any unnecessary dialogue or action scenes. The best way to achieve this is to start each scene as close to the end as possible.
6. Pace your scenes
“Never blow the world up in the beginning of the scene or you’ll have nowhere to go.”
While it’s perfectly acceptable and even advisable to start a scene with a big event to grip the reader/viewer you want to save the biggest and best until last. The closer to the story climax the quicker the pace should be. Keep throwing obstacle after obstacle at your main character.
7. Finish the scene dramatically
When you reach the end of the scene you should always aim to leave the main character with some sort of decision. Make the viewer want to know what is going to happen next. Use a cliff-hanger, a reversal or a revelation to raise their interest level. This adds twists and makes a story captivating.
8. Transition smoothly between scenes
The best way of creating a smooth transition between scenes is to finish on a certain image and then start the new scene with a similar image. A good transition allows the story to flow smoothly and can add a certain level of cohesion.
9. Define an emotion or mood
In a screenplay every main character should have some sort of ultimate goal. Each scene should work towards that character achieving their goal. Sometimes the attempt will fail or not work as planned, leaving the character frustrated and angry. Other times they will succeed and be driven on to push towards their goal even harder.
10. Have a motivated conflict
Conflict drives a story forward, no matter how big or small.


A good script has the following:
· A main character who is driven towards achieving a goal
· An opposition to your main character who will hold your main character back from achieving their goal
· A fight (literal or metaphorical) between your main character and their opposition
· An ending which answers the questions "Can the main character achieve his goal?"
Scripts should present such a story, along with a well thought out main character who the audience can relate to.


The opening of a film is extremely important and should setup the rest of the script, capture the mood of the story and hook the reader right away.
Here are several types of opening that you can use to start your film, which can also be combined:
The Blatant Opening - Within a few moments you know exactly who the hero is and what the movie will be about. For example The James Bond series use this type of opening. The blatant opening works particular well for action films, a fast, intense opening will hook the reader and keep them flicking through the script.
A Regular Day - In this opening you will put over the pace of life in a regular day for your main character. Then an event will happen which breaks the normality of your character’s life, one which they will need to rectify for their life to return to the way it was.
True Beginning - The script starts right along with the start of the story for the main character.
Dramatic Irony - This is the only beginning that won’t contain your main character. Instead you give the audience some information that your main character won’t know and will soon affect his/her life greatly. Dramatic irony allows the audience to be in a superior position and sets up both tension and anticipation.
Foreshadowing - This opening takes place before your main story begins and anticipates what is going to happen later in the story. Like the dramatic irony opening the audience is placed in a position to predict what is going to happen. This is often used for doomsday and horror movies.
Narrator - The narrator can be the hero, a secondary character or just a stand alone narrator. The narrator tells the story of the events which happened to the main character at an important time in their life.
Flash forward - The flash forward has two stories running side by side simultaneously. The A story is the main story; the B story is of the narrator looking back. The B story has a narrator who tells the main story, which has already happened. At certain points in the story there’s a flash forward to the narrator who continues with his tail.
Montage - This is a useful type of opening if you have a lot of information to get across before the main story begins. Also known as a shotgun, a collection of short clips that accelerate through the information until the story properly begins. Then the speed of the story can slow down to a regular pace. In a matter of minutes you can explain years of your main characters life.

More info on Scriptwriting: http://www.filmscriptwriting.com/