Script Writing

In the lesson today we were looking at scriptwriting and you would work at putting a script together. We looked at rules and general conventions of writing a script and what makes it look professional  and less professional.

The first part that was looked at was the Slugline or Scene Heading.

This is always in capitals. It states whether it is esternal (EXT) or internal (INT) and sometimes the time of day.

Example: EXT. PARK - DAY



The next part was Action.
This is the decription of the scene, which includes the description of the setting and characters. If this is the first time a character is seen then there name will always be capitalised.

Example: The park is bustling and full of people. Leaning against a tree is ELIJAH SANTOS, a man in his late teens to early twenties, who looks like he hasn't slept in a long time.



After this was was Character Headings.
Before the character speaks the writer puts the CHARACTER NAME to show the reader that the dailogue following is of this character. The character name can be an actual name (JAY) or a description (FAT MAN) or an occuptaion (POLICEMAN). At times you have INSPECTOR #1 and then INSPECTOR #2.
Thw character heading is always centred. (or indented 3.5" from the left margin)

Example:

 ELIJAH

 

 

 

Next was Dialogue.

This is what the characters say. It is Indented not centred. It is indented 2.5" from the left margin and 2" from the right margin.

 

Example:

 ELIJAH

 

                                                     What time is it?

 

 

Parentheticals was the last.

These are breif descriptions of the way the characters talk or behave, attitude etc. They are rarely used. They are indented 3.0" and 3.5" from the right.

 

Example:

ELIJAH

 

                                                                (angrily)