When setting out to film something, the first step is to write it. Whether this is a complete script for your short film or a rough outline for your newest YouTube video, it’s important to get a plan on paper before you begin to shoot the thing itself.

If you’re working with a cast and crew, a script is the vital first step in getting what is in your head into their heads. It will allow your collaborators to see that you have a complete story, or a consistently funny sketch, or a music video concept that will sustain an entire song. Often, if you’re trying to convince cast or crew to join you on your bold creative endeavor, they’ll ask to see a script before committing so that they know you have the goods.

However, there’s another reason to write out a script that is less practical and purely creative. Put simply, writing a script forces you to see if your own idea will work all the way through. There’s nothing more disheartening than beginning to shoot something and realizing you’re not quite sure how to get from the middle to the end. By putting everything in a script beforehand, you’ll catch a lot of the problems before cameras have even been turned on. And trust us, it’s much easier to fix a problem “on the page” than it is to fix it on set or—even worse—in the editing room.

"Writing a script forces you to see if your own idea will work all the way through"

But what if you’re an improviser? The kind of person who likes to find inspiration in the moment and just wing it? Well, we’d still recommend—even if most of you will ignore us on this—that you write a script first. This way, you ensure you have a starting place that works. Then, if you can come up with a better idea on set, you can always throw the script out and go with the new idea. Even for a free-wheeling, seat-of-your-pants filmmaker, a script can be a safety net in case improvisational inspiration doesn’t strike when you need it to.

What is a screenplay/script?#

A script is a blueprint for a film. It allows a reader to imagine what the finished project will look like and—if that reader is part of the crew—it gives them a plan for realizing that vision. A script explains the events of the film, telling us where the characters are, what they say, and what they  do.

Tips#

Read Examples#

One of the best ways to learn how a screenplay works (and to hone your own style) is to read a lot of screenplays. If you’re setting out to make a video or film, that’s probably because you’ve seen a lot of videos and films that have inspired you. Likewise, before setting out to write a script, seek out screenplays that can inspire you. Most screenplays for modern films can be found online by googling a movie’s title along with the words “Screenplay” and “PDF.” You can find everything from massive blockbusters...

• Avengers: Endgame
• Inception

To award-winning dramas...

• Knives Out
• Nomadland

Learn Style#

If you read a lot of scripts (And you should!), then you’ll notice that stylistic choices for the finished product are often suggested in the writing style. The best scripts feel like the movies they will become. For example

On the other hand,

The most simple way to put it is that a script should tell us what we see and hear. Unlike a novel, where you can play psychologist and burrow deep into your characters’ psyche, a script should focus on the surface. If you want us to know what a character is thinking, you'll have to describe the way they are behaving rather than just transcribing their inner thoughts. What do your characters look like? What do they wear? What do they do? And how do they behave while doing it? These are the questions that are answered in the script.

Be Succinct#

But a script shouldn’t tell us everything we see and hear! Sometimes beginner writers (especially if they have aspirations to direct as well) get bogged down with describing every aspect of their vision, and the script becomes too dense to make sense out of. A good script tells readers what’s important.

In other words, don’t say this…

When this will do just fine:

Now if one of those students was going to be your main character, then maybe you do want to take the time to give them a description. Or perhaps it’s important that the scene takes a long time, for instance to build tension or lull the audience into a false sense of security. But the point here is that while the script tells you what you’ll see on screen, it shouldn’t tell you everything that you see on screen. What is important for the story, the characters, and the tone? Everything else can go.

Your Great Idea#

There's one element that happens to be the single most important thing when it comes to writing a a great screenplay: a great idea.

No amount of proper formatting or concise screen direction or vivid character descriptions will ever make up for the fact that the only reason to write a screenplay in the first place is because you have a great idea. So challenge yourself to come up with an idea that’s so funny or dramatic or scary or weird that its something you would want to see.

Once you have that idea, flesh it out. Think about how long it should be, what sorts of story beats it needs, and what types of characters you can dream up. Is this idea best suited to a web series or a short film or a sketch video? And if, after toying with this idea, stretching it out to see if it breaks, you’re still excited about it, then it might just be time to sit down and write a screenplay.

If this post has inspired you to try to write your own script then read more about how to format your script and what tools to use. Trust us, this stuff is considerably easier when using a tool meant for screenwriting.

• Formatting Scripts and Screenplays
• Screenwriting Tools

Or maybe your great idea doesn’t need a script at all. Maybe a thoughtful treatment or a series of hand-drawn storyboards or even a quickly typed-up outline is enough for you to get going.

• Planning Non-Scripted Content

The important thing is that you write out some kind plan. Because once your great idea becomes a great plan, that’s when you can get to shooting.