Have you ever written a movie script?

Romania
December 6, 2012 4:50pm CST
I like movies, I enjoy writing and I find challenging and appealing the idea to write a script. I have a few ideas. Maybe I will start soon to connect them and visualize a story. What experience do you have in this area? Have you ever written a movie script? How was the process, it's easier or more difficult than a normal story? Also, have you ever been paid for a script? Is it difficult?
1 person likes this
8 responses
• Philippines
15 Jan 13
Yes it's definitely different from writing a normal story. A script doesn't need the elaborate descriptions of emotions and actions of a normal story. Movement is expressed concisely but clearly, and there's a format that you follow when writing it. I have more difficulty expressing what I would want the film to show when writing it in a script format than I would in writing normal stories. But I think it takes mentoring, practice and a lot of experience just like any writing venture. As for paid scripts I think it's a real challenge for most script writers or screenwriters than just writing on your own terms. Because of that-terms with your employer, you can't just write what you want. Movie making is a lucrative and most of the time (I believe) a very harsh business.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Dec 12
I wrote short scripts for class when I was still in film school. In some ways it's harder because everything you write has to be visual. In a book you can write what the characters think, feel, and taste, but in a script it all needs to be something that can be seen on screen. In other ways it's easier because there's fewer senses involved and there's less material. It has a strict format, but it's easy to learn. I didn't like it though. It just wasn't my style of writing, and it's disheartening to see your work ripped apart by countless revisions that you're not allowed to take part in (which is very much a part of the real biz).
• United States
11 Dec 12
lol, you usually do care about your work and your ideas. At least, I haven't met anyone who can write something and not be at least a little bit invested in it.
• Romania
7 Dec 12
I believe revisions are frustrating indeed, if you care about your work and ideas...
1 person likes this
• Philippines
7 Dec 12
I've written a script for television production. It's a 45-minute drama. Well, since it's television, I made a mainstream concept so that many people can relate to my story. If you have a few idea about what story to write, don't let them pass. Write them down on your notebook or even a piece of paper. Later, check which one you think would be most appealing. Knowing and building the main character is a good start. You must be able to visualize your character in your mind, how he/she looks like, his/her attitude, etc. After making the plot of your story and visualization, you can now start with the details of the story, the script itself. I have never been paid for a script because I never wrote a script again after graduating in the university. I think, writing stories is a good hobby but not a reliable job. However, I encourage you to try writing scripts for movies, I guess it would be a very fascinating experience. I'd try also if I have a chance. :)
• Romania
7 Dec 12
Thank you for your ideas. :) I believe that movies are in a big part about how people relate to the characters, about their fascinating personality (no matter how good or bad). Emotions are suggested through the characters.
• Philippines
7 Dec 12
I did for a film class. I guess it is more difficult because you have to write in a specif form and you have to write it almost as it appears on the screen. You also have to give leeway to the director because it's his /her style that will reflect on it. Also, you have to consider the actors and the characters for the production. Revisions happen every time, especially in the middle of production and you have to duplicate them immediately and in high numbers because everybody should have a copy.
• Romania
7 Dec 12
I agree it's not only about imagination like in normal stories. You also have to reasearch about format and technichal stuff... It will be an interesting challenge.
@devonavis (1854)
• Greece
7 Dec 12
I am sorry I ca't give you tips because I never tried one. I did try writing some scripts but for a small play only. These small plays that the teacher requires us in school and in a drama club, too. I think maybe writing a movie script is a lot difficult since one has to arrange the settings most especially the sequences. Since it is a movie, it includes many characters that makes it more complicated. But for a person who really loves writing, it is not a difficult one.:)
• Romania
7 Dec 12
Yes, I also wrote something for school, but it was a long time ago and the requirements were... school type. It should be a lot more difficult, because, as you say, you have to realistic and interesting shape the characters.
@edvc77 (2140)
• Philippines
7 Dec 12
I have written stage play scripts before. I find it quite hard and yoyu really have to see word for word correctly and have appropriate dialogs. It was a good experience and I remembered it at times. Have a nice day!
• Romania
7 Dec 12
Dialogues are indeed really important. The rest depends the most on the director, but the dialogues are your job. And they should have a meaning.
@tedifa (1232)
• Indonesia
7 Dec 12
I think writing movie script is more difficult than writing book,you should write about conversation and the story,conversation is more powerful on movie script,but that was challenge.
• Philippines
11 Dec 12
Yes, I had some several experience writing a movie script back in the day where I was still in college since it was part of my degree and my majors. Writing a screen play is not that hard if you know where your story line is placed. You need to know where and when you put on the scenes so that it can have element to the character and to the story itself. Although it may require a lot of time, since you should get familiar on the right screenplay format. It is worth the time and effort I had inculcated after all, I got good grades because of it.