Script writing for beginners and how to read it
Do you like watch tv shows and/or movies? How do the actors and actresses say their lines or how do they know what they're doing? Because it's all scripted. Because it looks like this
but on how to make it make sure you watch this video.
what you have seen in the video, a script has a Slugline or a scene header, a slugline or scene header establishes the time and the setting for your reader or for your production. At the start of your headline, it can be either INT. or EXT. INT. means interior and EXT. means exterior and sometimes you can see I/E meaning interior and exterior. The reason that writers are doing this so that it can be specific about the setting.
For Example:
INT. - LIBRARY - DAY
INT. - SCHOOL - GMYNASIUM - DAY
The slugline setting can be from a smaller area to a bigger area so that it can be more specific, and after the setting you will want to specify the time whether your scenes take place at day, night, moments later or later or it's continuous.
For Example:
EXT. - HOTEL - NIGHT
INT. - BUILDING - OFFICE - DAY
INT. - HOTEL - BAR - LATER
And if it's not specific like if there is no setting or not sure what setting it is, or inside or outside, instead of EXT. - SPACE - DAY instead you will only use the word SPACE.
For Example:
DARK ROOM
HALLWAY
And then in the video, they have also mentioned action lines, an action lines, are right below the slugline and they are the important part of the script because they give the reader and the production more detail and what's going on.
For Example:
INT. - CHRIS' BEDROOM - NIGHT
A young girl, KATHY (10's) comes to check in on her brother (CHRIS), she enters the bedroom with something in her hand.
Why is the name in all caps? The name is in all caps is because if the character is first introduced to the audience or in your script, you have to put it in all caps, but not all the time. And the (10's) part gives you description about your character. Or if there is a prop that is specific or important, you may want to put that in all caps also, or if there are sounds like BOOM! You may also want to put that in all caps as well, but usually you don't have to.
And after the sluglines and the action lines, you have the dialogue, and you usually when you have your dialogue you will usually have the character name on its own line, and the dialogue line under the character name, and sometimes on the same line beside your character name you will see a dialogue note, which is abbreviated, and sometimes these abbreviation notes are for the production and how/where they are going to be said.
For Example
(V.O) - Voice over
(O.S) - Off screen
(O.C) - Off camera
(O.S) Which means off screen, means the character is not in the scene or in a different space
For Example
JAYLEN (O.S)
Hey Kelly, do you wanna have a
sleep over tonight?
What you have seen, was the character is off screen, she is not in the same room or the same scene. With (O.C) on the other hand, then the character would be in the same room and have the camera panned over, and off camera is good for reveals when you are writing a film script.
Parentheticals are specific directions for your character or for the way they are going to say their lines, it's a smaller way without taking up a whole action line.
For Example
INT. - FAST FOOD RESTAURANT - DAY
An employee gives the customer their meal.
EMPLOYEE
(hands the tray)
Have a nice day!
They can be used to explain to the actor on how they can say their line, like if they are, (yelling) or (crying) or it can be used to explain to the actor that there is also a moment. Like if there is a change in thought (Then) or (sigh) or it can also clarify to an actor specifically to what they are talking about, or a specification for an actor, for example: why is it so cold? to solve that problem they can be specific just by using re:
For Example
(re: guava)
and it will help the actors understand on how we should say our line.
Transitions go on the bottom left corner of your scene, transitions establish more of the piece, pacing or how they want to shoot it
For Example
JUMP CUT TO:
MATCH CUT TO:
you will know if the sequence is fast or energetic, and other things
For Example
(prelap)
Act Breaks
But not every script is the same, because sometimes there are other formats with the action lines etc. and for comedy, they always use double space.
Watch this video about Transitions:
That's it for our Blog about Elements of a film script, and credits to Makayla Lysiak.