Script Writing and the Commissioning Process

By Sophie McAvoy

BBC Writers Room BBC Writers Room

‘Are you only sending one script? We only accept one script at a time from a writer. You should also avoid submitting the same script to other BBC departments and producers at the same time. Is your script complete? We don't accept part of a script; finishing your work is a skill, and we want to see your idea from start to finish. Is your work over 30 pages/minutes? We read scripts that are over 30 pages or minutes long. 30 minutes is a fair length of time to assess a writer's work – it's extremely hard to judge a writer's abilities if their work is shorter than this. Are all of your contact details included? We sometimes receive scripts without any contact details on them – make sure that your contact details are clearly marked on your script. All work should be submitted with a land address, as we aim to return all scripts that we do not develop further within the BBC. Do you have a copy of your script? Don't send us the only script that you have – make sure that you send a copy to us and keep the original for yourself. Have you sent us this script before? We do not accept resubmissions of work that has already been assessed, even following a rewrite – so make sure it is as good as you can make it before sending it in. Have you included an SSAE? We try to return all scripts that we don't intend to take any further. You should enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope with your submission, making sure that the envelope is large enough to return your script to you. ‘

This quote from the BBC Writers Room is informing me on how to know what to have in a script. This information is useful because without this I could put in things in my script that I produce, wrong. It is saying that a proper script has to be complete and no one will accept a script that hasn’t been finished. It also tells me that scripts are usually 30 pages or minutes long as any less than that is too short.

Film Script Writing

http://www.filmscriptwriting.com/ Date Accessed: 18th November 2011

Film Script Writing ‘Headings:

1. Master scene headings which include:a) Camera location - EXT. (exterior or outside) or INT. (interior or inside)b) Scene location (LOCAL RACE TRACK)c) Time (DAY or NIGHT)2. Secondary scene heading3. “Special headings” for things such as montages, dream sequences, flashbacks, flash forwards, etc. Narrative Description:1. Action2. Character and settings (visual)3. SoundsDialogue:1. The name of the person speaking appears at the top, in CAPS.2. The actors direction (AKA parenthetical or wryly). Try to avoid these as much as possible. Both the director and actor will appreciate it.3. The speech.’

This quote is basically telling me what I would need to include in a script, this is good information as it is helping me know exactly what I have to put in it.

The Role of a Script Writer

the director what type of locations are needed. http://www.jobresponsibilities.org/film-script-writer.html

Date Accessed: 18th November 2011Film Script Writer Responsibilities

  ‘Film Script Writer Responsibilities

The one that is beyond the story of a film is non-other than the help of their film script writers. They are the ones that made script lines that will deliver by their artist and talents in order to give life to the story line. They have a big role in the movie industry because they are the ones that give story and make research in order to make the story more realistic and informative.’

This quote is basically telling me what a script writer’s role is and where they have a big role in the movie industry as they are the ones that are writing the story and making sure that the story line is realistic and informative. This is good information as it is letting me know that a script writers role is a very big role as without a script writer there wouldn’t be able to make a movie or a TV programme.

Film Script Writer Responsibilities

‘The one that is beyond the story of a film is non-other than the help of their film script writers. They are the ones that made script lines that will deliver by their artist and talents in order to give life to the story line. They have a big role in the movie industry because they are the ones that give story and make research in order to make the story more realistic and informative.’

This quote is basically telling me what a script writer’s role is and where they have a big role in the movie industry as they are the ones that are writing the story and making sure that the story line is realistic and informative. This is good information as it is letting me know that a script writers role is a very big role as without a script writer there wouldn’t be able to make a movie or a TV programme.

Scriptwriter Job Description

‘In all cases, scriptwriters must be able to imagine the effect of their words when they are spoken in a production. It is not enough that the words look good on paper. They must work well when one actor is speaking to another actor. Whereas a playwright usually includes only a few stage directions, a movie or television scriptwriter may detail the visuals as well as the written dialogue. These details are particularly important in movies, where a long and important sequence may require no speaking parts at all.’

Again this quote is telling me about a script writer’s role, it is informing me what all scriptwriters must be able to do to make their work look good. However, it is also telling me what playwright usually includes, as it would usually be for movies or a television programme.

Crafting short screen plays – Page 9

This page is informing me on how to connect my script to the purpose of the story/scene line. No matter if the script is long or short you have to write your script as if you are connecting to yourself and most importantly to the others who will be reading it.

Teach yourself screen writing – Page 164

This information is telling me what I need to include in the script that I produce so I can create a dramatic purpose, begin to build the scene line and know what I should include. This is helping me as this is telling me what professional script writers include in their content.

Teach yourself screen writing – Page 239

This page is basically telling me what the law says on rights connecting to script writing. This is informing me what copyright would be classed as in script writing, this is good because I could do something that is going against the copyright law and this means there would be consequences for it.

Teach yourself screen writing – Page 251

This information is telling me how to adapt my script for the screen.