How To Write the Perfect Script
It’s a glamorous life to be in front of the camera, but if you’re like me, you’ll probably find yourself behind it instead. I’m going to share a few tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way to help you write the perfect script or screenplay. You might have the latest cameras, lights and gadgets, but it’ll all be useless if you don’t know how to tell your story. So let’s begin with a few tips and tricks to keep in mind to help you write that next killer screenplay.
Figure out what needs to happen.
First, let’s figure out what needs to happen in each scene. Each shot you take should ultimately build towards the story’s plot and outcome. Be aware that each time you press record on the camera, you’re spending money, time, or even both. So make sure each scene is crucial and will fit into your storyline. Every single sentence you write must do one of two things – reveal character development, or advance the action. So make sure to keep track of every point you’re trying to get across.
Who/what needs to be in this scene?
You probably won’t need your sound guy to show up on set if you’re doing time-lapses, so make sure each scene that you write has a detailed list of who and what is needed. This will also help you organize your crew much more efficiently, and you’ll be aware of who is doing what during each shot.
Write the Ending First!
Make sure you figure out your ending before you start writing. The middle is usually the first thing we think of and is the easiest to write, but your ending is what you leave your audience with, so make sure it’s worthwhile to share. Now, lets move on to the details of the script, and talk about characters.
Give your characters wants and desires.
Each scene your characters are in should show needs or wants. Even if they only want a candy bar from the corner store, it’ll add a small detail to making this person seem real and believable. Don’t be afraid to give your characters opinions either. You can’t please everyone in the world, so why should your character? If you want them to be ‘Cool’ then, define cool. What does cool look and sound like? Make them as real and believable as you can.
Give your audience someone to cheer for.
Whether it be the underdog, or the top dog, your audience isn’t going to be engaged with your story without them following someone’s successes and failures. Ask yourself: What is your character good at? What are they comfortable with? Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal? Even the smallest successes within any character’s development will allow your audience to create a personal relationship with your character. We all grow as human beings, so why can’t your character?
The story is yours!
Never forget this– only write to please one person. Always be open to suggestions that your crew might have but never lose true sight of your vision. This is what separates children’s books from literature. Kurt Vonnegut once wrote that if your story opens a window to make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia. You are not here to please everyone, you’re here to tell a story. So keep it unique, interesting, and challenge the viewer to see life from your shoes.
I hope these tips help you in your future script and screenplay development. Never be afraid of failure. Allow any falls you might have in your scriptwriting to be educational stepping stones for future work. You are the expert in developing your story. But most importantly, never forget to have fun watching your story come to life. So get out there, pick up the pen and start writing!
Posted: March 2013
Updated: August 2019
Good post. I honestly didn’t think about having an end written first. I have been having isues with coming up with ideas for a script.
Leon-If you’re having issues coming up with ideas for a script—ask yourself this question—What are you passionate about?
If you’re passionate about nature or wildlife, break down the subject and decide if you want to write about the Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle Hatchling release at North Padre Island, kangaroos and their young in Australia, or using nature as a setting for a fiction piece. If you think about it, ideas constantly surround us.
The second idea is to keep an index card file called an “Idea File”. Anytime you read an article and something jumps out at you; ie; a phrase, or subject matter, or if you hear a snippet of a conversation that’s unique, write it down on an index card. Then review your cards and start developing the seed of the idea you wrote down. Many times, ideas come in stages, a little at a time. Sometime it’s one word, or a whole phrase—that can be the catalyst of an idea.
If you do these steps consistently, you’ll have more ideas than you could write about in a lifetime. Grab hold of a ‘seed’ of an idea and begin to analyze what it is about it that motivates us. If it’s interesting to you, most likely it will be to others. As a journalist and I learned long ago from a wise sage that I should always write about what I’m passionate about—THEN find a market for it. If you stick to that premise, you’ll begin writing about what moves you. I hope this helps!
Thanks for the info. I have an idea for a screenplay, but I have no idea how to write one. There are lots of books out there – can you recommend one that you’ve found especially helpful?