8 Script Writing Rules

Last week I wrote about 8 creative writing rules I tend to follow. But I realised that they were all related to creative prose. Although I do mainly write prose, I also enjoy occasionally writing scripts and have taken script writing modules at university. So I thought this week I’d write about my top 8 script writing rules. So here they are:

1.    Have your characters doing something – It’s always good to make your characters do something while they’re talking. Not only does this improve your script visually as it creates action on stage but it also gives the characters reason to interrupt their own dialogue with comments about what’s happening at that time. This is always a good tool for making your scripts more realistic. Which links in to my next rule…

2.   Inconsequential dialogue – Your characters shouldn't be too grounded in the present. Inconsequential dialogue is often the most interesting dialogue and it also helps build character. It is usually a good idea to start the real action of a play after a good amount of seemingly pointless chatter to give the audience time to know your characters.

3.    Begin in media res – For those of you who don’t know, this means start in the middle of the action. By this I don't mean starting in the middle of something dramatic like a car chase. Even starting mid conversation can be very effective. Some scriptwriters think that after you've written a script you should always cut out the first scene. This may be a bit drastic but it can be effective to begin your play after the action has started and reveal what’s already happened through the dialogue. The audience is clever and will pick up on the clues you leave for them. But this only works if you do it subtly. Which brings me onto…

4.   Subtlety and subtext – Often what lies beneath the surface of what is actually said is the most important part of a script. Subtext should be subtle. Once again, your audience is clever and will pick up on subtext without you having to jam it down their throats.

5.    Make use of idiolects – Characters will seem more real if they have little characteristics or ways of talking that are unique to them. Make sure the idiolects match their character though. An upper class gentleman probably won’t make grammatical errors or say ‘like’ a lot. Just make sure your characters don’t all sound the same.

6.   No tautologies – This is when you show something through both dialogue and the stage directions. It seems like a petty rule but scripts seem more professional if you avoid telling the reader that your character looks sad in the stage directions and then having the character say ‘I’m sad’. It’s just not necessary.

7.   Be wary of silence – Silence can be a really useful tool in script writing if it’s used well. But silences seem very long when you’re watching a play and the audience could get bored. It sounds cliché but we were told that having something like a ticking clock in the background can help solve this problem. Look out for it in films and TV shows. It’s ridiculous how much a ticking clock is used to fill a silence. 

8.   Read aloud – I’d recommend this with any creative writing but especially with scripts. Sometimes you can write something that sounds fine in your head but when you read it aloud or get someone to act it out for you, you realise that some of your sentences are almost impossible for the actor to say. A simple rule but a very important one.

So there you have it. Scriptwriting is a very different art form to prose but is so much fun to get into. Unfortunately I won’t be writing any rules for poetry as I am a terrible poet. Maybe I’ll try and get a guest blogger at some point to write one.

Thanks for reading.