The Process of Screenwriting

How to Develop and Commission your Script

IntroductionThe process of screenwriting is writing scripts for

the mass media, (TV, Film, Radio, Theatre e.t.c.)The main job of a screenwriter is to research a

story, develop a narrative, writing the screenplay and delivering it.

However there are some rules you have to stick to...

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 writer's 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 screen, scripts for short films, adaptations of other people's work orwork sent in from overseas.’

If you are sending your script to the BBC, you need to send it to: BBC Writersroom

Brock House3rd Floor19 Langham StreetLondonW1A 1AA

Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions_writersroom.shtml

How to Write a Script

How to Start your Script If you are struggling to start a script or can’t think of an

idea use this print screen.

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 artists expression? A post-modernist interpretation of angst? Or a large cheque? The first, simple, answer is: 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.

(Parker, Page 57)

Writing a Short Story If you want to focus on short films use this print screen as a

guideline on how to base your story and the basics of 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 his 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 of a short story as a play for one voice.

(Horstmann Pages 22-23)

The Right Ending If you are struggling to write an ending to your script this screenshot

might help you improve your ending.

(Horstmann Pages 44-45)

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0yqUmedyOM

A lesson on structure of a script

Writing a Short Story If you have written a short film, the ‘British Council Film’ website has various

information on how to submit your film and how to submit it to a film festival production.

Your film will need to be: Less than 45 minutes. This is the usual cut-off point for festivals to

consider films 'short'. (NB Documentaries may be considered up to 60 minutes).

Recent. We only accept films less than 12 months old. From the UK. We require films to be UK productions and have a UK

contact point, either the director or producer.