2. Script Development
Every time we watch a TV show or watch a film we are all taking in the work a
scriptwriter. Screen writing is all about being able to connect to people and understand
their emotions. According to Claudia Hunter Johnson in her book Crafting Short
Screenplays That Connect, the screen writers main purpose is to emotionally connect
to the audience.
‘The best screen plays - long or short - are written by those who know how
to connect - to themselves (their unique vision, material, process), to what
drama is, and most important, to others.’
I think it‟s very important that the scriptwriter is connected in what they are doing. It
helps them gain a better understanding of what they are writing and what sort of
person they are as a scriptwriter. If a writer isn‟t connecting to what they are
writing, they cannot expect the script readers on the other side to grasp the story
either, which means it‟ll be harder to get their script commissioned.
3. Connecting
Amy Dunkelberger explains in The Basics of Screenwriting:
‘As any screenwriter will tell you, the first few pages of a screenplay are
the most important - for both your audience and the people responsible
for producing your film. Script readers are an impatient lot, and if you
don't engage them right away, they will drop your script and move on to
the next.’
http://www.fathom.com/course/21701762/session4.html
4. Collaboration
As well as the connecting factor, there‟s also a stage of „collaboration‟. Once you
have submitted your script, your opening up your writing to other people therefore
involving them in to the development process.
This shows that even though it is your
own work, once it has been submitted to
a commissioning body, there becomes
more than you as the scriptwriter,
involved. Some can argue that this is a
bad thing as many people don‟t want any
interference with the work they have
done. Others would say this is a good
thing because it gives you more room for
expansion of ideas and there becomes
less pressure on one person if roles are
(Frensham Page 5) assigned.
5. Collaboration - Positive Factors
Claudia Hunter Johnson also thinks it‟s important to collaborate and has come up
with 10 reasons why it is a good thing to write with other people.
Some of these are:
•Writing with a partner doubles your chance for success
•A writing workout partner helps you stay motivated, focused, and productive
in the face of countless rejections
•Two imaginations really are better than one – better brainstorming and
creative breakthroughs
•Collaboration not only improves mental health, it makes you a better writer -
and a better person
She uses these reasons because of her experiences and what she has learned
from writing with partners. They are very good reasons because it shows what
could become of a screen writer if they proceed this way, and what type of person
they could become.
6. How Collaboration Is Useful
Shrek’s co-writer Ted Elliot also thinks that collaboration is useful:
‘As you struggle as writers perfect your craft, schlepping from studio to
studio trying to make that elusive sale or capture that dream assignment,
as you wend your way over the freeways that link Hollywood to Burbank,
and Beverly Hills to Century City, there is a final, overwhelming way in
which a writing partner can be beneficial. Two words: Carpool Lane.’
He is explaining that scriptwriting on your own can be a tiring, slow and tedious
challenge. Therefore writing with partners is a quicker, more interesting way.
Going back to Ted Elliot's‟ quote, he says “..Two words: Carpool Lane.”. It‟s
great that he uses such an example because it explains that writing with a
partner reduces the time it takes and gives the opportunity to bounce ideas off
each other, and it also takes the stress off the one person.
7. The point is you don‟t
have to be alone
when writing scripts
It doubles the
chance for success
Staying motivated because there is
and focused is going to be more
important as you than one brain
don‟t want to lose involved, therefore
track of what you are double the ideas.
doing. So having
someone else to work Two people
with will help you brainstorming
strive on. helps one other
expand on each
Understanding and others ideas,
working with other developing even
people contributes more.
to becoming a
better person
yourself.
Carpool relates to being quick, efficient and
a better way to do things, which in this is
case is to co-write scripts rather than do it
on your own.
8. Script Commissioning
Thousands of „proposals‟ are sent to television and network broadcasters all
the time, with ideas for new programmes. The proposals that you send out is
your chance to pitch your idea. These are then passed on to commissioning
editors. The commissioning editors are the people who pick the strongest
proposals and stories that they think have potential. An example of a
commissioning body is the BBC writers room.
9. The BBC Writers Room
The BBC Writers Room is an online submission site where it all starts basically.
Amateur writers can send their scripts into the writers room for different
sections of the media and hopefully get their work noticed.
The BBC does not accept any scripts that have been previously used by
shows/characters. Also samples, extracts, short stories, full series, poetry or
scripts from overseas cannot be accepted.
This is the quote that I got from the
BBC Writers Room website about
what sort of things they can accept.
It states the rules clearly so we can
understand.
They do not want a
full series of script,
just on episode/part.
E.g. 30 minutes long.
10. Script Submission
The process of script submission has 6 stages according to the BBC Writers
Room. They have brought together a „submissions flowchart‟ which shows the
stages at which things happen.
It seems very straight forward and once you get to stage 4, 5 and 6, this then
determines how much potential the script readers think you have. Not many
people actually make it to the final stage so its important that you put a lot of
thought into what your writing, don‟t copy anyone else, be original and unique
then you‟ve more chance of getting far.
‘Scripts that are championed by our readers are then assessed by the
Development Manager, who may meet with the writer, monitor their
development, recommend their work to other BBC producers and
departments, or place them on a development scheme. Only a small
number of scripts and writers progress to this stage.’
11. How To Pitch Your Script
According to Stephanie Palmer there are not any set rules to pitching a script.
It‟s important that you establish what you are going to say to see if the listener
engages into your script, and understand what you are trying to do. It‟s also
important not to oversell yourself while pitching, or explain too much.
