Finding the right script writers for our projects can be challenging. We share tips and tricks to figure out how to find the best script writer possible.
What do Script Writers do?
Script writers are the people responsible for the script or screenplay in a piece of content. Script writers can create scripts for all sorts of content such as: film, television, documentaries, corporate videos and advertising of various types. Before we venture into where to find the right script writer, let’s try to figure out what the basics of a script are.
Format
The first area we should consider is the format of the script. For starters, we need to use the right font. Screenplays are typically written in Courier, Courier New or Courier Final Draft, in a size 12.
Using special software to write our screenplays is always a good idea. This software will take care of things such as fonts and margins while we take care of the story.
Classical Design for Script Writers
Scripts are typically created using a standard classical design approach. This means that there are certain aspects we need to remember when attempting to find the right script writers for our project:
Structure
The first aspect to classical design that’s immediately apparent in content is structure. Script writers will often try to master this form, before attempting others.
Traditional scriptwriting uses three acts. Roughly speaking, the first one introduces the action, the second act is replete with complications and the third act resolves the story.
Note that each act leads to the next with the use of a turning point. Thus, the first act ends with a turning point leading to the second act. The second act, in turn, leads to a third act with the use of a turning point as well. This second act, by the way, is the longest one in the script and will use a midpoint, right in the middle of the act and therefore of the script.
The script itself will usually start with an inciting incident. The third and final act will generally have a climax and a resolution, which bring the story to an end.
Scenes
The scene is the basic unit in a script. We can talk about structure and acts and they’re important but the scene is really the driving force of the story. Sometimes, scenes will be put together in sequences.
At its most basic, a scene needs certain elements. Robert McKee, in his book ‘Story’, defines a scene like this: “A scene is an action through conflict in more or less continuous time and space that turns the value-charged condition of a character’s life on at least one value with a degree of perceptible significance. Ideally, every scene is a story event.”
Script Writers and Plot
Plot is a crucial element in the creation of a script. Classical design usually requires certain elements in a plot, such as:
Causality
One action leads to the next and so on and so forth. Things happening in the story need to be motivated.
A Closed ending
Endings usually resolve the story entirely. Although there may be a glimmer of another story coming along (this is typical of movies which lead to sequels), the ending is usually the definitive conclusion of the story.
Linear Time
Classically designed stories use linear time, for the most part. What this means is that stories follow a traditional start-to-finish progression.
External Conflict
Conflict is arguably the most important aspect in a screenplay. A story without conflict can easily bore its audience. Classical design will usually want to include conflict that is external. This means that the characters will encounter conflict ‘outside’ of themselves: with the circumstances, other people, etc.
Although it’s true that many stories have characters with internal conflict, classical design usually stresses external conflict.
Single Protagonist
The protagonist is the most important character in a story. Classically designed scripts will generally have one single protagonist with a very strong desire. Such desire is the driving force of the character and of their arc as well. The dramatic movement of the story in such a story generally requires a single protagonist who desperately wants something.
Consistent Reality
A consistent reality is a story world that essentially replicates and follows a set of rules. These may mimic the rules of the real world, but the key is that they be consistent from start to finish.
Active Protagonist
Active protagonists are protagonists who move the story forward themselves. This means they’re not only reacting to the things going around them, in a rather passive sort of way. Instead, this type of protagonist wants something and this moves things forward.
Other Types of Plots
Some script writers create stories using minimalist or anti-structure techniques. Although these storytelling techniques are very interesting, they’re not really in the mainstream of script writing styles.
Minimalist screenwriting uses open endings, internal conflicts, multi-protagonists and even passive protagonists. Anti-structure plots include things such as coincidences, non-linear time and inconsistent realities.
Types of Scripts
Genre for Script Writers
Genre is a definitive aspect of script writing, particularly when it comes to fiction writing. Perhaps the most important genre in fiction script writing is the myth genre. Myth genre is a timeless form of storytelling. Christopher Vogler has developed this tremendously, in his book ‘The Writer’s Journey’. It’s worth a read.
The most basic myth genre can be rather simple, but offers quite a bit of opportunities for creative storytelling. Basically, we have a story which we populate with a series of archetypes such as: the hero, the mentor, the threshold guardian, the herald, the shapeshifter, the ally etc.
The story begins in the ordinary world of the hero. This hero receives a call to adventure, which is initially refused. Eventually, the hero sets out on the journey or quest, meeting with a mentor and crossing a first threshold. Tests, allies and enemies abound before approaching a metaphorical inmost cave, where the final ordeal is resolved. This leads to a reward and the road back and return.
Although this genre seems rather simple, it does help to organize a story. In fact, we may use a similar template to craft pithy content such as ads too.
What About Non-Fiction Script Writers?
We’ve been discussing script writers here, particularly fiction script writing. This, however, is not all the script writing there is. Non-fiction forms of script writing are also extremely important and, thankfully, they stand to benefit from the different aspects and techniques we’ve been sharing here.
Documentaries
Documentaries are, as we know, non-fiction accounts and stories, presented in TV or movie-form. Although at first glance they seem to be very different to fiction movies, the structure is usually the same.
For starters, documentaries generally have a running time similar to fiction works. A typical movie will usually be between 90 and 120 minutes long. This means that a script will be about 90 to 120 pages long. There are some exceptions, for sure, and you’ll possibly know of some movies which exceed the two-hour mark (‘Once Upon a Time in America’ for example).
Documentaries usually run for about 90 to 120 minutes as well. Calculating the pages in a documentary script, however, may be a bit misleading. The issue with documentary scripts is that a full script may sometimes include the transcription of conversations. As such, it’s unusual to have a full script before shooting the documentary and, once the documentary is shot, this script will include transcriptions.
Corporate Videos
Corporate videos are a very interesting example of how to use techniques from fiction script writing. In essence, corporate videos can very closely mimic fiction movies.
There are some techniques which seem to work quite well in corporate videos. These include things such as voice-over narration. Although this technique is used sporadically in fiction movies, it can work wonders in a corporate video. This is because corporate videos often have large amounts of information that needs to be delivered. It’s important to note that techniques such as this one are handy, but we must be careful not to bog down the flow of the video with too much voice over exposition.
Advertising
Although at first glance ads are too pithy to benefit from script writing fundamentals, we really can use these techniques to good effect here. There are many types of ads, for different things: television, internet (YouTube for instance) etc.
There are other ads which don’t have a visual component, for things such as audio ads and radio commercials. This type of content can also profit massively from the basic storytelling structures and techniques of fiction screenplays.
Script Writers Online?
Acquiring a script writer online is now easier than ever. Bunny Studio, for example, has a roster of writers of the highest qualities, among other creative solutions on offer.
These writers enter the Bunny platform after a very stringent test, whereby only 2% of applicants are chosen. Thereafter, they start fulfilling projects, which can be either Speedies or Contests. Speedies are projects that clients want fulfilled by any of the writers who receive the invite. Contests, on the other hand, require three different proposals from different writers and the client chooses the one they like the most.
Interestingly, however, it doesn’t end there. One of the most salient aspects of Bunny Studio is the quality of its customer care. If you have a writing project which demands a more specific writer, the Bunny staff will be eager to assist you. This can be particularly useful when attempting to create a screenplay.
Get in Touch Today!
Bunny Studio is ready to assist you. Hire script writers today! Get in touch and let’s get writing!
