The Process of Scriptwriting

How to develop and commission your script

Introduction In the process of scriptwriting is writing, creating

and commissioning scripts for the mass media and visual arts (TV, Radio, Film, Radio etc.)

Scriptwriters are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative, writing the screenplay, and delivering it, in the required format, to directors and producers. Scrpitwriters have great influence over the creative and emotional impact of the screenplay and, arguably, of the finished film. They either pitch original ideas to producers in the hope that they will be optioned or sold.

However there are a few rules and guidelines that need to be taken in to account.

Rules and Regulations According to ‘BBC writers room’ “We accept scripts (or episodes) for

film, TV drama, radio drama, TV and radio sitcom. Also stage plays , but only as a calling card for a writers talent”

However “We don’t accept scripts for existing shows – we want to see your original work, script samples, short stories, novels, sketches or ideas/treatments for programmes, scripts sent by email – we don’t have the resources to print them or assess them on screens, scripts for short films, adaptions of other people’s work sent in from overseas”

If you are sending your script to the BBC you need to send it too: BBC Writersroom, Brock House 3rd Floor 19 Langham Street London W1A 1AA

Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/send-a-script/sending-your-script

How to Write a Script

How to start your scriptIf you are struggling to start a script or story then you can take this bit of advice from ‘The Art & Science of Screenwriting’ written by Paul Parker’

“Let us start from the beginning, what are we after? Is it a premise? An interesting situation? A character? Some action? A dilemma? A social issue? An artist’s expression? A post – modernist interpretation of angst? Or a large cheque? The first, simple, answer: It could be all those and many more besides. However in essence, the start of a screenplays development is an idea of which the writer believes in. The parameters of the idea will vary from project to project and radically from an original feature film to a tertiary story in a television series which is in its seventh year of production.”

Page 57

Writing a Short Story

“The standard BBC slot for short stories is fifteen minutes long, which means about 2,300 words. The most important thing here is to create characters that an actor can bring to life in their performance. First person stories, in which the tale is told by a clearly characterised narrator, are often pretty successful, and it is wise in any case to confine yourself to one person’s view point. It may help to think as a short story as a play for one voice.”

If you are planning on writing a short story, this piece from Writing for Radio, written by Rosemary Horstmann, gives you a bit of advice of what makes a good short story and the basic guidelines.

Pages 22-23

The Right Ending

“At the end, the audience should feel a sense of ‘rightness’. Whether the conclusion is happy or sad, the audience mustn’t feel cheated. The ending should tidy up any unfinished business left hanging in the plot and return us to the level of everyday life from the heightened tensions of dramatic experiences.”

If you are struggling to come up with a good ending for your play, story or script, this bit of advice, again from ‘Writing for Radio’ by Rosemary Horstmann, is very useful.

Page 44-45

Writing a Short Film

If you have written/planning to write a short film, the ‘British Film institute’ website has various bits of information and guidelines on how to submit your film and how it can be used at a film festival.

Your film will need to be: Less than 40 minutes. This is the usual cut off point for festivals to consider films

to be ‘short’. It must have been made/screened in the last 18 months. All films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English, unless

dialogue or commentary is unnecessary for comprehension and appreciation.

http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/festival-submissions/submission-regulations

Source:

Contact:BFI Exhibition Departmentlffsubmissions@bfi.org.uk

+44 (0)207 815 1305

ReferencesSlide 3:BBC Writersroom website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/send-a-script/sending-your-script

Slide 5: The Art and Science of Screenwriting – Philip Parker – Page 77 – ISBN: 1-84150-000-3

Slide 6: Writing for Radio Third Edition – Rosemary Horstmann – Pages 22 to 23 – ISBN: 0-7136-4649-7

Slide 7: Writing for Radio Third Edition – Rosemary Horstmann – Pages 44 to 45 – ISBN: 0-7136-4649-7

Slide 9:Britsish Film Institute Website

http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/festival-submissions/submission-regulations