How To Write a Mind Blowing Script
The secret to a good film lies in the quality and creativity of the script. In this regard, a script implies a document outlining every aural, behavioural, visual, and lingual component needed to tell a story. It is, however, important to remember, from the onset that film is a highly collaborative undertaking, and your script is likely to be interpreted by the director, editor, cast, and production crew in their own way, but based on your outline. Since there are so many people involved in the making of a film, a good script ought to conform to the standards that will be understood by all the involved parties, and must, therefore, be written based on a specific layout, format, notation, margins, and grammar. This article is intended to provide you with an overview of the typical elements for mind-blowing script writing. Some of the elements include:
- Writing visually
- Using a single motive line
- Incorporating a second inner problem for your hero
- Having a well-crafted hook or high-concept
- Suspense of disbelief
- Strong openings
In terms of visual writing, as film is visual medium, it is important to show your audience your story rather than telling them. In other words, good scripts are those that are written by considering what the audience will see and hear. As such, make sure to write the sounds, pictures, and speeches, and leave the fine-tuning to the filmmakers.
The main premise in this guide is that there are strikingly similar elements evident in excellent screenplays such as Slumdog Millionaire and The King’s Speech. The first of those elements is a single motive line. One common mistake scriptwriters make is fracturing or breaking the storyline. Changing the motive line in the middle of the script may lead to losing your audience. We recommend that you restrain from veering away or breaking away from the storyline as it develops.
Another attribute of an excellent script is giving your hero a second problem to solve. Classical Hollywood movies often have the cliché of an action hero shot in the chest, but the bullet is stopped by an object in the chest, such as picture of a loved one or a bible. In this way, such movies introduce a second problem to solve, often relating to relationships or religion. We recommend that you make the outer problem more apparent, but make your second problem an inner problem, in the sense that even the main character may not know that he or she has that problem at the beginning of your story. This will give your story some form of a zing.
Even more importantly, your script requires a hook or a high concept. This can also be referred to as a “what if?”. For instance, in Galaxy Quest, the main concept is, “what if the manqué actors from a crew of terminated, but still popular sci-fi TV show are forced into an actual war in space by aliens who believe that the show broadcasts they had received were documentaries?” Having a good “what if?” will attract you audiences and set your script apart from the pack.
Another important aspect of good script writing is to focus on strong openings. We contend that strong openings translate to string screenplays. In other words, you need to set the pace and time, and sum up the entire story using a strong and clear statement of theme. Here the opening is likely to differ according to genre. For instance, the opening of action movies may have three or four short scenes, while a romantic comedy movie may have an opening scene going several pages. Here, the theme is what the entire film is actually about, and is generally expressed as a dialogue in the third or fourth page.
The importance of playing with structure in writing captivating scripts must also be reiterated. Here, we note that structure is perhaps the most unhelpful and misleading terms in screen writing. In other words, the structure of your story should be based on the manner in which the goals of your character unfold. Playing with structure implies that not every film will require the paint-by-number structure ideas. Smart and clever storytelling can throw a curve ball and lead your main character into another goal, albeit temporarily.
Another important consideration in producing spectacular scripts is genre. All good films are founded on a careful blend of genres. The two most common and important blends include romantic/comedy and action/adventure. We recommend that you study films of the type you intend to write, and learn how masters in the past have unfolded their stories. Last, and even more importantly, remember that a movie with a great message is a great movie.
Writing a great script for film can be a challenging task. With these considerations and guidelines in mind, you are likely to produce a stellar script. However, like many other forms of writing, you require talent and lots of practice before you can produce a mind-blowing script. If you need to produce an excellent script, getting assistance from reliable and experienced providers such as Okessay.co.uk – essay writing service with competent and qualified writers- will help you produce and present your work like an experienced insider.