Q&A for How to Write Movie Scripts

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  • Question
    What does a script for a movie look like?
    Melessa Sargent
    Professional Writer
    Melessa Sargent is the President of Scriptwriters Network, a non-profit organization that brings in entertainment professionals to teach the art and business of script writing for TV, features and new media. The Network serves its members by providing educational programming, developing access and opportunity through alliances with industry professionals, and furthering the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry. Under Melessa's leadership, SWN has won numbers awards including the Los Angeles Award from 2014 through 2021, and the Innovation & Excellence award in 2020.
    Professional Writer
    Expert Answer
    A feature script is usually three acts and 95-110 pages long. Formatting-wise, you can go online and look at existing examples. As a minimum, you have to show as much white white space on the page as possible.
  • Question
    Can I write a script with no formal experience?
    Amber splashpaws
    Community Answer
    Yes! You can write a script without any prior experience, but bear in mind that your first may not be your best. Write a few practice scripts - these could be pretty short - before you send work to a director. If you're good at writing and language, that's a good start!
  • Question
    How can I not get bored while writing the script?
    Community Answer
    Writing out a script can be a tedious task. If you get bored try listening to music or take a break and exercise every once in a while.
  • Question
    How long does it usually take to complete a script?
    Community Answer
    This will depend on how fast you write, how much time you have to work on the script, and how long the script will be. Having the entire plot already outlined before you begin will help the process go by much faster. Short, simple scripts may take only a few hours, while longer, more complex scripts may take a few months.
  • Question
    Is there software I could use to write a movie script on my laptop?
    Community Answer
    Yes. There is a website named Celtx.com that is very helpful. It doesn't require any pay, but you can subscribe to it and get more features if you want to. The best part about this website is that it's set up like a studio. You can invite all of your friends and share scripts and assign jobs for films.
  • Question
    Can a script consist only of dialog?
    Grahamster
    Community Answer
    Theoretically, yes. Practically, not really. You are leaving a lot of work to the director if you have no basis of who and what the characters are supposed to look like, where they are and what they are doing. Unless your movie is just two mannequins talking in a blank room, it's best to at least include settings and character descriptions.
  • Question
    What is a parenthetical?
    Community Answer
    It is enclosed in parentheses. It is located under the character's name in a dialogue and always instructs how the actor should act in a certain dialogue.
  • Question
    Do I have to write 120 pages for my script to qualify?
    Community Answer
    You do not need to write 120 pages. That is for a 2 hour movie (about). Most movies are between an hour and a half and two hours. A 100 page script will do you, or halve that for a short film.
  • Question
    How do I make an intentionally cheesy movie?
    Community Answer
    Try to cram as many cheesy tropes into the movie as you can, and watch movies that are generally considered "cheesy" for inspiration.
  • Question
    Can you provide an example of a script?
    Community Answer
    Just search "movie scripts" or "screenplays" on Google and find some, or even "Movie Scripts Aspiring Screenwriters Need to Read." Classic ones are out there, like "Pulp Fiction" and "When Harry Met Sally," but I also found "Inside Out" and "Minions" online.
  • Question
    How long does an action movie need to be?
    Community Answer
    There is no requirement on how long an action movie, or any movie, needs to be. The important part is having a beginning, a middle, and an end. You can tailor your plot to the amount of time you would like it to be. On average, though, many movie run up to 2 hours.
  • Question
    I am new to writing, what should I do?
    Community Answer
    You might find it useful to take some writing classes before beginning a script.
  • Question
    Where can I submit my script?
    Community Answer
    Thwre are various script competitions, some more reputable than others. The two top screenplay competitions are Nichols and Page Awards. Some competitions offer connections and contracts, while others offer collaboration and funding such as writersandfilmmakers.com. And then there are some that only offer funding/prizes or table reads. All competitions require you to submit the script in appropriate screenplay format, so learn that first.
  • Question
    Will I need a degree in script writing?
    Community Answer
    Not really, as long as you have an idea of how to tell a story and you know the basics of script writing, you should be fine.
  • Question
    I want to write a comedy script. How long should the script be? How long will it take me to write it?
    Community Answer
    The script should be around 85 - 100 pages, and could be done in a month if you're able to dedicate a sufficient amount of time to it.
  • Question
    Can I write a movie on the biography of my village person?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can write a movie on anything.
  • Question
    How old do I have to be to send a script to Hollywood?
    Community Answer
    There's no minimum age. As long as you can write a script, you can send it off.
  • Question
    Do I need grammar and proper English for my script?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Without proper grammar, it will be difficult for others to read and appreciate your script.
  • Question
    Can a script be written in Hindi?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if the studio will accept scripts written in Hindi; this especially applies to Bollywood productions.
  • Question
    Should a made-for-TV movie script be the same length as a regular movie script?
    Community Answer
    Made-for-TV movies generally run shorter, for the allowance of paid commercial air time.
  • Question
    How many pages should a script be?
    Community Answer
    Comedies average about 85-100 pages and dramas about 90-110 pages, though some can run longer.
  • Question
    Who decides on the location and place where the scenes are to be shot?
    Community Answer
    The director and producers have the ultimate say so regarding filming, be it deadlines or locations, and even down to angles and audio.
  • Question
    Which software can provide formats preferred by script evaluators?
    Community Answer
    Microsoft Word is generally the best program. If you do not have Microsoft Word, Google Docs is a good alternative.
  • Question
    How much time do I need to put into writing the plot?
    Community Answer
    As much time as you need, usually a couple months. It depends on the research you need to do.
  • Question
    If I make it a bit boring, would people watch it?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the type of audience you're targeting and what your definition of "boring" is. Generally, audiences want the story to be gripping, even if it's not necessarily exciting.
  • Question
    How long should a script be for a TV show?
    Community Answer
    The script should be about 22 minutes for an average 30-minute show.
  • Question
    Can I write my movie in the form of a story?
    Community Answer
    You could, but that would be a treatment and not a script.
  • Question
    How do I make interesting dialogue without overdoing it?
    Community Answer
    Try to imagine it playing out in you head. Check to see if you provided too much information or description for a scene and it became too boring or hard to act. Also, ask a friend to read it and give you suggestions.
  • Question
    Can I begin my script with dialogue?
    Community Answer
    You could, but you should describe the scene first. The reader needs to know immediately where the dialogue is taking place.
  • Question
    Can the story be only in English or can it be in any language?
    Community Answer
    It depends on who you are presenting it to. If you're writing it just for yourself, you can write in any language you want. If you want to present it to someone, it depends on what language they prefer.
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