2. Introduction
The process of screenwriting is writing scripts for
the mass media, (TV, Film, Radio, Theatre e.t.c.)
The main job of a screenwriter is to research a
story, develop a narrative, writing the screenplay
and delivering it.
However there are some rules you have to stick
to...
3. Rules and Regulations
According to ‘BBC Writers Room’ “We accept scripts (or episodes) for
film, TV drama, radio drama, TV and radio sitcom. Also stage plays, but
only as a calling card for a writer's talent’.
However, ‘We don't accept scripts for existing shows – we want to see
your original work, script samples, short stories, novels, sketches, or
ideas/treatments for programmes, scripts sent by email - we don't have
the resources to print them or assess them on screen, scripts for short
films, adaptations of other people's work or
work sent in from overseas.’
If you are sending your script to the BBC, you need to send it to:
BBC Writersroom
Brock House
3rd Floor
19 Langham Street
London
W1A 1AA
Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions_writersroom.sht
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4.
5. How to Start your Script
If you are struggling to start a script or can’t think of an idea use this
print screen.
Let us start from the beginning, what are we
after? Is it a premise? An interesting
situation? A character? Some action? A
dilemma? A social issue? An artists
expression? A post-modernist interpretation
of angst? Or a large cheque? The first,
simple, answer is: It could be all those and
many more besides. However in essence, the
start of a screenplays development is an idea
of which the writer believes in. The
parameters of the idea will vary from project
to project and radically from an original
feature film to a tertiary story in a television
series which is in its seventh year of
production.
(Parker, Page 57)
6. Writing a Short Story
If you want to focus on short films use this print screen as a guideline
on how to base your story and the basics of a short story.
The standard BBC slot for short
stories is fifteen minutes long, which
means about 2,300 words. The most
important thing here is to create
characters that an actor can bring to
life in his performance. First person
stories, in which the tale is told by a
clearly characterised narrator, are
often pretty successful , and it is
wise in any case to confine yourself
to one person’s view point. It may
help to think of a short story as a
play for one voice.
(Horstmann Pages 22-23)
7. The Right Ending
If you are struggling to write an ending to your script this screenshot
might help you improve your ending.
At the end, the audience should
feel a sense of ‘rightness’.
Whether the conclusion is
happy or sad, the audience
mustn’t feel cheated. The ending
should tidy up any unfinished
business left hanging in the plot
and return us to the level of
everyday life from the
heightened tensions of dramatic
experiences.
(Horstmann Pages 44-45)
8. Writing a Short Story
If you have written a short film, the ‘British Council Film’ website has various
information on how to submit your film and how to submit it to a film festival
production.
Your film will need to be:
Less than 45 minutes. This is the usual cut-off point for festivals to
consider films 'short'. (NB Documentaries may be considered up to 60
minutes).
Recent. We only accept films less than 12 months old.
From the UK. We require films to be UK productions and have a UK
contact point, either the director or producer.
9. Reference Page
Slide 3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions_writersroom.shtml
Slide 5
The Art and Science of Screenwriting- Philip Parker- Page 57- ISBN: 1-84150-000-3
Slide 6
Writing for Radio Third Edition-Rosemary Horstmann-Pages 22 to 23-ISBN: 0-7136-4649-7
Slide 7
Writing for Radio Third Edition-Rosemary Horstmann-Pages 44 to 45-ISBN: 0-7136-4649-7
Slide 4
http://film.britishcouncil.org/our-projects/on-going-projects/short-film-promotion-scheme
