Q&A: Any tips on writing scripts and screenplays?
Question by Iona: Any tips on writing scripts and screenplays?
I’d like to be able to send off scripts for TV shows, and screenplays to professional companies, but I don’t really know how they should be set out. Do you need special software, or can they be set up in word?
Also, any tips on the sort of style stage directions and descriptions of characters and scenes are written in? Do they tend to be written sparingly, leaving most of it to the director etc, or is it ok to go more creative with the language?
Best answer:
Answer by meat
No stage directions, no descriptions of the characters beyond whats needed. Brevity is your friend, you’ve only got between 90 and 120 pages to get your story on paper. Every page is a minute of screen time.
To start, read some screenplays and learn proper format:
www.script-o-rama.com
www.simplyscripts.com
www.imsdb.com
You can get a copy of celtx – a formatting program that will help you put your screenplay in the proper format. You can get it here:
http://celtx.com/
Once you’ve written your masterpiece, register it with the Writers Guild of America. Most professional screenwriters register their work rather than copyright it, as they’re selling the work to someone else (and that ‘someone else’ is the one that will copyright the work). You can register your work here:
http://www.wgawregistry.org
Then get a copy of the Hollywood Representation Directory and find an agent or manager to represent you.
Write a query letter, and send it to the agents/managers that you think would be a good fit with you. Interview the agents/managers that respond and pick the best one.
The agent or manager will be the person who shops your screenplay for you.
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