Script writing overview

1. RANDOM THOUGHTS ON DIRECTING

2. What is the story?
Write it down in ONE sentence.
1. Ideas can be distilled to one central
conflict. And in that central conflict lies
the germ of the plot.
2. Ideas can usually be expressed as a
simple sentence.
“Frightened wife falls in love with a ghost.”
“Woman commits crime to be with lover.”

3.  Story: Content & Plausibility
Measures the strength of the premise and the
ability of the writer to help the audience
believe the story in how it was set up within
the context of the world created.

4.  Story Arc/Plot points
Are the actions in the story escalating in
nature with dramatic and plausible
impact?
 Conflict: Desire Vs. Danger
Is the conflict strong enough to lead to a
“Good Fight” when choices have to be
made?
Is the climax well set up?

5. Main Character complexity
Is the protagonist imbued with enough
likeable traits to allow the audience “root”
for him/her? Is there a human flaw that adds
complexity to the character?
Visual possibilities
How visual is the story?
Can we “see” it?

6. 1.1. POINT OF ATTACKPOINT OF ATTACK
2.2. INCITING INCIDENTINCITING INCIDENT
3.3. CONFLICT…BALANCE becomesCONFLICT…BALANCE becomes
IMBALANCEIMBALANCE
4.4. TENSION…RISING ACTIONTENSION…RISING ACTION
5.5. CRISIS AND CHOICECRISIS AND CHOICE
6.6. RESOLUTION.RESOLUTION.

7. CHARACTER + OCCUPATION + WHAT
THEY WANT MOST + WHAT OR WHO
COULD STOP THEM

8. VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL DIALOGUEVERBAL AND NON-VERBAL DIALOGUE
 One is information given verbally.One is information given verbally.
 Second is the information the viewerSecond is the information the viewer
accesses through visual stimuli.accesses through visual stimuli.