I have a great idea for a story but I have no idea about script writing or how it should look.

Sadly I'm not going to say there is no right way because their is. Most production companies will have their own way of writing a script, and writing for film, tv or thearte will also differ. Ok enough of the scary talk...we're going to make films so lets script for one!

Your script is built up of :

*Scene headers
*actions
*dialogues


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SCENE HEADER

To begin with you always begin your new scene like this.
-
INT. Jims house. Jims bedroom - Day

¬
The first tag will either be INT or EXT meaning interior or exterior (is the shot indoors or out).

Second tag is the basic location, sometimes this is enough information and you don't need the third tag. The third tag is alittle bit more detail. If I planned to shoot different shots of Jim's house like the garden I might need to include this.

Lastly, is your scene going to take place at night or during the day. SIMPLE. (do not number scenes it's pointless and isn't done generally)


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ACTION

The scene header is always followed by the action. The action is a basic description of what is going on in the scene, this should be short and to the point. TELL THE SCENE DON'T DIRECT IT! I read this off a site and it couldn't be more true.

If you wrote your script for machinima the chances are YOUR going to direct it (acting as camera man) so why add pointless detail in your script? You should already know how you want to do it. You might think the added direction will help actors....thats what YOUR their for to direct, so don't direct through your script but when your filming and with the actors.

Here is an example scene:
____

EXT. DIRTY ALLEY - NIGHT

A figure of a man races down an alleyway, a howl of dogs in the background stops him in his tracks in terror. Waiting for the barks to end he lights a cigarette and begins his journey again.
____


Now that is a good example, not brillaint but good; a bad example of the same action:
______
EXT. DIRTY ALLEY - NIGHT

Camera pans down to man, he hears dogs bark and stops in his tracks. He turns to face camera and lights a cigerette. Camera drops to a low-angle shot as he brushes off the cold. He pauses for a few seconds, Camera dollies towards face. He carries on his journy.
____


Bad bad bad. I told the same action but with twice as much writing and if I'm directing it in the first place I don't need to know this...I can just tell the actors what to do.



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DIALOGUE

Next is the dialog.
Centre align and simply write what the person will say:
____
JOAN
You get any food?

ARTHUR
No...something to do with all the rain we’re having, food stocks is drying up or something.
____


There are a few things you can include with dialogue.
Next to a person's name you can inlcude (O.S.) or (V.O.)
These mean 'Off screen' and 'Voice over' which are good for people talking off screen at someone else or narration. example\:

Richie Rich (O.S.)
Damn I love CoD, some much I need to
breethe in a paper bag.
--

Also if you beak up someones speach with action then you would use the (CONT'D) extension)

Marcus
Damn that curry was good

Strains on the toilet seat

Marcus (CONT'D)
(screams)
wow thats hot!

--


SIMPLE!

Well that is the basics of script writing, you should use size 12/10 font and Courier and aslong as you remember to TELL IT AND DON'T DIRECT IT' in your script writing you'll keep readers enchanted and wanting more.

good look in all your machinima endeavours

Nice guide. I was never very good at writing scripts that anyone other than myself could read.

Well it's the basics to writing a good script, the next thing you need is abit of imagination and some good friends or team. You can include alot more that I've not touched on but I think it's enough for people to start writing scripts.

Marcus
www.blacktreeuk.net