Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [scriptwriting]

Questions regarding writing scripts and screenplays, for movies, TV, videogames and similar media.

59 questions
11
votes
3 answers

Should I explain the reasons for gaslighting?

I have an ambiguous script situation, 2 co-protagonists begin gaslighting the MC. They each have ulterior motives which they don't say. The reader is intended to infer the lies through contradictory statements, and the abrupt character change. The…
wetcircuit
  • 29,603
  • 4
  • 51
  • 129
11
votes
1 answer

How to name indistinguishable henchmen in a screenplay?

A large group of indistinguishable henchman feature throughout my screenplay. What is an acceptable naming method for them? Let's say I wanna call them 'Red shirts'. Can I ... A) Call them all RED SHIRT, even though they are different characters? B)…
Andy A
  • 379
  • 1
  • 3
  • 10
10
votes
5 answers

What is the process for turning a story into a "movie" script?

This is probably a slightly vague sounding question, but I'm curious as to how "stories" go to the point of becoming a film production (at least to the point of becoming a script).
RolandiXor
  • 809
  • 7
  • 17
7
votes
1 answer

How should my script refer to a character who's currently disguised as another character?

I've recently resumed writing a series of scripts for an anime I've been planning. One of the characters has the ability to shape-shift, and there are several scenes in which she initially appears disguised as another character, before…
F1Krazy
  • 11,447
  • 4
  • 38
  • 69
7
votes
6 answers

Are there some good books about scriptwriting to study?

After a little googling I found this: The Complete Book of Scriptwriting What are other good examples?
Dan Ganiev
  • 1,981
  • 15
  • 26
7
votes
4 answers

Formatting for stage, television, and the silver screen

What are the formatting rules for scripts? Are there significant variations? What differences are there between stage plays, television, and movies?
sjohnston
  • 4,785
  • 7
  • 34
  • 47
6
votes
3 answers

How to write character's emotional reactions in a screenplay?

Question : When writing my screenplay, I frequently find the urge to describe a character's emotion. However, I have read somewhere (I forget where) that this should be left to the actor to some extent, the actor should understand the story enough…
Andy A
  • 379
  • 1
  • 3
  • 10
6
votes
1 answer

Sluglines for same location but different periods, real and imagined

I'm writing a short film that has the vast majority scenes set in a pub, with the main male character about to approach a woman, and he imagines/projects some of the possibilities of this - it goes nowhere, leads to sex, leads to long term…
Spiffeah
  • 185
  • 1
  • 6
5
votes
2 answers

How should I include the sentence that a character would've said if they weren't interrupted in a screenplay?

I'm writing a screenplay with a scene were characters interrupt each other frequently. I think including the lines a character would've said if they weren't interrupted could help the actors and directors. Is there a standard way of doing this?
SlowlySwift
  • 53
  • 3
5
votes
1 answer

How to format a screenplay scene where the action alternates between 2 or more spots in an open space?

Question : In a screenplay, how should I format a scene in which the action and dialogue alternates between 2 or more spots in an open space? Example: I have a scene where the action and dialogue (let's say, with James and David) occurs on an…
Andy A
  • 379
  • 1
  • 3
  • 10
5
votes
3 answers

How to write dates shown on screen

I’m wanting to know how to enter dates that will be shown in text on the screen in a screenplay, I’ve see. Several ways to do it so I wanted clarification, thx for any help
Matt
  • 655
  • 7
  • 16
5
votes
3 answers

What's the meaning of the running numbers in left margin of a movie script online?

Currently, I am going through the script of The Battle of Algiers. On the left margin, there are numbers starting from 1 to 146. It is a 120 minutes long film. What are the significance of these numbers on the left from 1 to 146?
Omar Shehab
  • 225
  • 1
  • 4
  • 7
4
votes
3 answers

Do script readers start at the beginning?

Script readers-- the people who sift and sort the vast piles of scripts submitted to Hollywood -- do they start at the beginning? The reason I ask is that I know 99% of scripts are awful and just get thrown out after a couple pages....but if that's…
temporary_user_name
  • 3,325
  • 7
  • 25
  • 42
4
votes
6 answers

In a script how can I signal who's winning the argument?

Arguments, discussions, disagreements In my script I have a lot of "arguments" – loose definition: long discussions where characters disagree about what to do. These arguments don't escalate to a full-blown fight, rather they are more like sparring…
wetcircuit
  • 29,603
  • 4
  • 51
  • 129
4
votes
1 answer

Software for Reading Playscripts?

I recently wrote a play and wanted to know what it sounded like before I showed it to the director, actors and so on so forth. Hence I was wondering if there is a software that just simply narrates my script back to me. I have tried Windows…
The Man 95
  • 41
  • 1
1
2 3 4