1. Scriptwriting LA B
When learning to write a script one must understand the difference between the different forms
of scripts, they need to learn to work with different forms of scripts, the most common scripts
are: master scene, shooting, and radio script.
MASTER SCENE SCRIPT
This is the standard format accepted for film production because it presents an accessible and
clear format for producers to show to investors, it's the clearest way to mix description and
dialogue for readers to understand the plot.in this format technical info is very limited. This
format is split into narrative description, scene headings and dialogue blocks.
The first thing we see is the scene heading AKA slugline and has three parts interior/exterior,
location and time of day. These need to be written on one line together and always capitalised,
INT and EXT are the abbreviations always used for interior/ exterior time of day is always DAY
or NIGHT in this case the heading says INT. OFFICE - DAY
the narrative description or action is the telling of the story as it would play out on the screed,
and it begins below the Heading. When the action is written it must be visual and focused on the
storyline so the story moves forward. Most of the time the writer does not direct the movie, so
they have to be as clear as possible. It helps the creators visualise the story's development. in
this case the action perfectly describes the setting, and how the characters are behaving, giving
us clear immersion.
Its important to only write what can be seen or heard in the scene. As that is what will be written
into the screenplay, a screenwriter should only suggest to the reader the characters feelings
through actions or dialogues.
2. Some other things that must never be done when writing a master scene script are screen
numbers, camera angles or third person use for example the sentence “we see the man
running” should be written as “the man runs”.
SHOOTING SCRIPT
Different from master scenes as they have different purposes, shooting scripts are used during
production and written in more detail than master scene and commonly include scene
numbers,transitions, camera angles and actor movements. These are used for reference by
directors to understand how certain scenes will be shot, this is why they include all the
necessary info the director requests.the screenplay is a selling tool and the shooting script is for
purely production.
Similarities between shooting scripts and spec scripts are that both use slug lines, courier 12
font and 1 page equaling to rouly a minute of screen time and a shot description that explains
what certain camera angles will represent on screen.
The crew will follow every instruction written in the shooting script. This is because there are
very specific camera shots, how sound will fit in the shot and how shots will be framed
This will help crews on how they will work on scenes while filming, this saves time and money.
As there is already an established storyline and how the characters will act.
The scene numbers are needed in a shooting script, unlike the master scene, the layout of a
shooting script is necessary to present scene numbers. By numbering each scene the crew
3. using it can keep track of what has been filmed and what hasn't because scripts for movies are
commonly hundreds of pages long. This is needed to be as efficient as possible , because some
scenes might require more time to shoot or are confusing so a crew member can keep track
with the scenes and use references.
When a scriptwriter commissions a script. They will think he will use a screenplay and not a
shooting script. the screenwriter typically does not write the shooting script thus they use the
master scene format to sell narrative as the shooting script focuses less on narrative and more
on how to produce the narrative and a commissioner might not have technical knowledge to
fully understand a shooting script so this would complicate his understanding of the
narrative.after all these formats provide different aspects of movie making. a shooting script will
typically be written after a script.
RADIO SCRIPTS
A story cannot be told visually when writing unlike a screenplay, as there will be no screen.
Therefore there is a lot more dialogue
(OFF) indicates when an actor is supposed to be away from the microphone.
(V.O.) voiceover, a character narrating over sound like dialogue or music.
(LOW) an actor should speak quietly.
(D) indicates a character speaking through a device like a telephone.
(CLOSE) an actor should be in close proximity to their mic giving an intimate feel.
These indications give a quick explanation on what to do for each line. So they know how to
properly do the line they need to say.
4. We can see how different a radio script is compared to other examples before. the formatting
allows the codes and conventions to be different from the other kinds of scripts. This is needed
because radio is entirely audio based with no visuals, therefore the formatting is purely
concentrated on dialogue.it mixes some elements of master scene and shooting script,but
doesn't have notes on how the actors should appear because that is irrelevant.
The radio script uses shorter lines that describe what happens with music or sound effects that
are added in post production or with a soundboard. In the example above we have specific
sound effects that appear, these would have needed to be planned and added during or after
production. The scriptwriter helps the production crew with this to save time and money. Sound
effects will help an actors performance instead of needing to describe the actions so the
audience can imagine the situation.
