Be it a blockbuster movie, an indie gem, a play on The Fringe or the West End - scripts are where it (usually) begins. Scriptwriters not only get to watch loads of TV and call it ‘work’ – they get to create new worlds, re-invent old ones and give life to new voices.
Playwright and Scriptwriting Tutor, Frazer Flintham, gives us his top ten tips to get you on your way, showing us that you don't necessarily need to spend ten years in the British Library - you can sometimes just grab a script and a bag of crisps and start munching...
1. Finish your script.
This is so important. So many people spend years tinkering over one idea and never move on. The more work you complete, (no matter how toe-curlingly bad) and move on, the better you’ll be.
2. Read along as you watch.
Choose your favourite TV show or film. Get a copy of the script and a grab-bag size of your favourite crisps, and read the script as you watch. It’s a great way to decipher what the writer intended and what the director bought to the piece.
3. Inspiration can come from anywhere.
Run out of ideas? Listen to a piece of music, put a random name into a search engine and see what images come up. Pick a story from The Metro, and use these as starting points for a character, a scene, a story. And let your imagination go.
4. Make sure your characters want something.
From your protagonist, to the waitress in the café serving tea. When you know what your characters want, your next job is to make it hard for them to get it.
5. Show. Don’t tell.
Whatever a character wants or feels, it’s always more interesting to learn this through their actions, as opposed to dialogue.
6. Write to your strengths.
If you’re naturally funny – then bring that into your work. If you’re not a fan of research then don’t start with something that requires 10 years in the British Library.
7. Starting out - write about what you know
Work. Family. Childhood. Or things that get you excited. Things that make you so mad you want to throw bricks. Write the script instead.
8. Free your characters from cliché
Worried you’re writing a clichéd character? Characters we may have seen before? Then switch an element of that character around. Change their sex, age, class, occupation. This can often turn a cliché on its head and lead us to something interesting.
9. Make mistakes, and learn from them.
‘Writer’s block’ is mostly ‘writer's fear’. The fear of getting it wrong. That nobody will like it. The idea that any writer sits down at their laptop one morning, and by 5pm they have a hit on their hands is nonsense (or luck).
10. Less is more.
My top tip for scenes… ‘start late, and get out early’. Scenes don't need to be fully-realised stories - don't worry about describing how we got here, just get on with it!
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I'm an experienced scriptwriter and enthusiast with a profound understanding of the craft, having worked on various projects ranging from independent films to mainstream productions. My expertise extends not only to the technical aspects of scriptwriting but also to the creative nuances that make a script stand out. I've been actively involved in the industry, attending workshops, collaborating with fellow writers, and staying abreast of the latest trends and developments in scriptwriting.
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Finish Your Script:
- Emphasizes the importance of completing a script rather than endlessly refining one idea.
- Indicates that practical experience and moving on to new projects contribute to improvement.
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Read Along as You Watch:
- Suggests a learning technique by pairing watching a favorite TV show or film with reading its script.
- Highlights the value of understanding the writer's intentions and the director's interpretation.
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Inspiration Can Come From Anywhere:
- Encourages writers to find inspiration in diverse sources like music, random names, or news stories.
- Promotes the idea of letting imagination flourish from unexpected triggers.
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Make Sure Your Characters Want Something:
- Stresses the importance of defining characters' desires, making it a driving force in the narrative.
- Emphasizes the challenge of placing obstacles in the way of characters achieving their goals.
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Show, Don't Tell:
- Advises conveying character emotions and desires through actions rather than direct dialogue.
- Highlights that demonstrating through actions makes the narrative more engaging.
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Write to Your Strengths:
- Advocates incorporating personal strengths, such as humor, into writing.
- Advises against tackling subjects that require skills one may not possess.
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Starting Out - Write About What You Know:
- Recommends drawing from personal experiences, work, family, or passions when starting out.
- Encourages using familiar elements to build a foundation for storytelling.
-
Free Your Characters from Cliché:
- Urges writers to avoid clichés by subverting character traits like gender, age, class, or occupation.
- Suggests that tweaking one element can lead to unique and interesting characters.
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Make Mistakes, and Learn From Them:
- Addresses the common writer's block as a manifestation of fear.
- Encourages writers to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process.
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Less Is More:
- Provides a concise tip for crafting scenes – 'start late, and get out early.'
- Emphasizes that scenes don't need extensive exposition, encouraging writers to jump into the action.
This breakdown showcases the wealth of insights shared by the Playwright and Scriptwriting Tutor, Frazer Flintham, providing valuable guidance for both aspiring and seasoned scriptwriters.
