Essay for Script Writing

Script Writing

Scripting, or writing a script, is a very important piece to the multimedia production process. Similar to preparing for a presentation, scripting helps you to organize your thoughts, determine what you want to convey and create a flow for your narration. It is the process of writing stories in the screenplay medium. Script writing is writing down the movement, actions, expression and dialogue of the characters in screenplay format. The process of writing a novel, a poem, or essay, is entirely different than script writing. In order to express yourself effectively for the screen, particular formatting methods are required. Screenplay format is used to express the story visually. Scriptwriters or screenwriters write for film, television, video games, and now even online web series. Script writing can be done for hire or on speculation in hopes to sell their screenplay or find an agent.

Emergence of scriptwriting started way back in Greek cultures where theatrical drama was very predominant for regular entertainment of the royals. This was further amplified by Shakespeare. His famous plays ROMEO and JULIET, HAMLET and OTHELLO are considered to be work of masterpieces of all times which laid the foundation for today’s art of story writing. With the emergence of TV and films it was possible for entrepreneurs and film makers to make running audio visuals on films captured by camera and lighting technology and showed to the audience as a complete story or film. The elements for a script are:

· Scene Heading.

· Action.

· Character Name.

· Dialogue.

· Parenthetical.

· Extensions.

· Transition.

· Shot.

Here are the important tips to make up a great video script.

Know your audience:
Before you begin writing your script, clear your head and think about the intended audience. Once you have structuralized your audience, you need to do your research as to what type of content will work for this target audience.

Write a Video Brief:
Once you have recognized the target audience, set the objectives of the video. These objectives would be in accordance to the message that you need to convey with the video.

Develop a story to tell your message:
Humans are social beings. No matter what the context, humans are drawn towards stories and emotions. You must keep this in mind while writing your corporate script as well. Keep a human element attached to the script no matter what the product is.

Make the first 15 seconds engaging:
The first 15 seconds of a video are the most important ones. The first 15 seconds decide if the viewer will watch the video further or stop mid-way. While writing the script, there must be a terrific cliff hanger at 10 or 15 seconds.

Keep the mystery alive
While writing the script, you must never describe everything or give all information away. Always remember, there is a major difference in novel writing and script writing. While writing a novel, you do not have any other aid for description; while in scriptwriting, your video will have visual elements, sound effects etc. to enhance your concept. It is advised to use these elements rather than explaining everything.

Clarity is important:
Sometimes when we write a corporate or an industrial script, we end up writing very technical and complicated content. Such scripts are difficult to understand for a layman. We must always try to write a script that is clear and easy to understand.

Read, Review, Re-write
As soon as you are done writing the script, you must read the script end to end once. Most of the times, we find few mistakes when we read it twice or thrice. Keep reading and updating the script until you are completely satisfied.

Thus a video without a script is like a person without thoughts. It is good to say, the script provides the structure for the entire film, if the script is not up to the mark, it won’t be easy to make a good film. The script is the backbone, on which the entire film stands.