Basics Of Scriptwriting

As advised by Mark, I attended the workshop, basics of scriptwriting: "How to write a screenplay" to represent our team. This is because a music video is a story told with music. This workshop could hopefully help us understand a bit more about the process of story telling & writing a script, which we would still need to do for a music vid, although slightly different format.

Here are some useful information that I picked up from this workshop about scriptwriting:

What makes a good screenplay?

- it is correctly formatted. (Usually professionals use the Hollywood Format)

- It's Production Ready!

- Visually Written

What is the Hollywood Format?

- It uses the font Courier New

- 12 point size

- 1.5 script spacing

- 1 page to 1 min

- standard format for different sections

- standard screenplay softwares (Final Draft, Celtx, Microsoft Word)

What do you mean by Production ready?

- The script is written for screenplay and not in a storybook mode!

- It should be a blueprint for movie/film

- Could include casting & Character Styling

- Scheduling of the shoot

- Location

- Props, Settings, Production design

- Could include SPECIAL/SOUND EFFECTS if there is

What do you mean by Visual Written?

- Script/Screenplay is a blueprint for a visual medium

- TRICKS OF THE TRADE: include voice-overs, piece to camera (turns to talk to camera), Animated Sequences, subtitles

What should be included in a Section Of A Script?

- Title Page (name, draft, date)

- Cast list (optional)

- Location list

- Scene Heading - All Caps, left align, INT/EXT.location - Time (Day/Night)

- Description > left align

- Character name - All Caps, centre align

- Direction (optional) - small letters with parenthesis > ( ), centre align

- Dialogue

- Scene Transitions - right align, DISSOLVE TO, CUT TO, INTERCUT TO, etc

There are also other things I learnt but the ones I listed here are the most applicable to us. Good luck team! Adios Amigos!

Regards, Amin