Television is a unique entertainment industry and is proven to be the most consumed by media audiences. As an industry that is growing and in demand, there are of course some ground rules that need to be adhered to if you want to have a successful career in it. Interested in becoming a television show screenwriter? With the help of this article, you will surely find simple tips for creating detailed, concise, and quality scripts!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Selecting a Topic
Step 1. Choose a topic
If you have the opportunity to choose a script topic, spend as much time as possible preparing it. Undeniably, getting started is the most difficult part; but as time goes on, things will definitely get easier. Take a piece of paper or your laptop and write down all the ideas related to the topic of the event that come to mind. Often times, the best topics come from the life experiences of the thinkers, you know!
Step 2. Share all your ideas with the people closest to you
If your ideas are liked by many people, it's a sign that you deserve to invest the time and energy to develop them. Follow your instincts!
Step 3. Make a decision
Even if the topic you choose is not popular among the people closest to you, don't hesitate to use it if you think the topic is worth developing.
Step 4. Do your research
Before starting to write a script, first read the existing manuscripts. By doing so, you may get new ideas or even be inspired to revamp your old ones. Remember, a successful scriptwriter must be able to provide a new and fresh script to the producer!
Method 2 of 3: Understanding Script Elements
Step 1. Decide on the story you want to bring up
The story is the most important element that will determine the direction of your script; that's why you need to invest a lot of time and effort in this stage. Most of the stages in this section were developed at the same time; therefore, make sure you are able to focus on maintaining the coherence and accuracy of the manuscript. There are no specific rules for doing so. Some scriptwriters prefer to compose stories in sketch form; but some are more comfortable using mind maps, software assistance, etc. Choose the method that works best for you!
Step 2. Develop your story idea
Write down all the story ideas that come to your mind; at this stage, try to think about the overall concept and plot of the television show that you are going to make. For example, Glee is a very popular series that carries the concept of musical drama and romantic comedy. Broadly speaking, Glee tells the story of several students with different personalities; uniquely, they are members of a music club called Glee. The unique concept and plot carried by the series is what really traps the audience's interest! Believe me, an interesting and original plot is an important key to creating a show that can attract audiences; make sure you take as much time as possible to put it together.
Step 3. Choose a script genre
Based on the plot you have compiled, try to determine the most suitable genre. Is your script a mystery, soap opera, or comedy script? The possibilities are vast; Your events can even fall into two or more categories. Glee, for example, is a television series that contains elements of drama, comedy, and musicals. After that, you also need to determine the target audience; Surely you know that there is a fundamental difference between writing scripts for children aged 2-5 and soap operas for teenagers, right? Scripts that are written for American audiences to enjoy will of course also be different from scripts that are intended to be enjoyed by Asian audiences.
Step 4. Create a Pilot script
In general, audience interest is highly dependent on the Pilot episode or the first episode of your show. Thus, the Pilot episode must be full of details and information, but still be able to make the audience curious to watch the next episode.
Step 5. Determine the setting of the story
Describe the main setting that will guide your manuscript going forward; specify details regarding the time, age, weather, clothing, and the language used by the characters in your script.
Step 6. Develop the characters in your script
Every show needs interesting characters, relevant to your script, and able to entertain the audience. When developing script characters, make sure you refer to the pre-defined plot and genre of the script. Also make sure the character you create is able to make the audience feel involved and more interested in continuing to watch the show.
Step 7. Develop relationships between characters
At this stage, you need to create three main groups. The first group is a list of conflicting or conflicting characters; in the list, you also need to include details regarding the reasons and object of their dispute. The second group is a list of characters who are friends; also write down how strong their friendship bond is and whether the friendship will remain until the end of the event. The final group is a list of characters who love each other; this list contains the names of two characters who dated, married, or will date at one point in your script.
Step 8. Again, try to convey these ideas to the people closest to you
Believe me, this stage is very important to do to create a perfect work, especially because mistakes that occur at this stage will be more difficult to fix later. For that reason, make sure you ask people with more experience for criticism and suggestions.
Step 9. Develop the details
Make sure you develop every detail in the script; after doing so, make sure you also check for consistency:
- Storyline
- Storytelling
- Character
- Special equipment
Method 3 of 3: Scriptwriting
Step 1. Put all the ideas together and arrange them into a complete script
To make it easier for you to write in the correct format, try using the standard scripting formats that are already available. If the script is written for the purposes of the contest, the organizing committee should have provided the basic script writing rules that you need to follow. Generally, the producer or director of the show will also convey the scriptwriting format they want. Do not worry; basically the script writing format will not be much different from one another.
Step 2. Perform the editing process
The experience of writing scripts will shape you into a better person every day; In other words, the person who started the script writing process is no longer the same person who ended it. Make sure you always re-read the script that has been made and continue to improve the details that need to be improved.
Tips
- Don't worry about the audience's reaction. A quality show will naturally attract viewers; most importantly, keep the audience curious so they feel attached to the show you're creating.
- Understand all the information about the character you are creating, including simple details like their favorite food or drink. The key, if you want your character to feel real, is to make sure you plan it in as much detail as possible.
- Try to make connections with experienced television screenwriters; believe me, the tips they provide can lead you to success.
- Make yourself curious. Once you've finished writing one episode, make sure you're also curious about what you might write in the next episode.
