Our first Kafunda #KreativeKlinik this month was facilitated by Nisha Kalema, multi-award winning actress, producer and writer who took us through her creative process for script writing and shared a few gems on how to come up with a perfect script that will translate to visual perfection under the Topic: ‘Visual Writing For A Movie Script. ‘
Some of the notable take-a ways from her klinik revolved around different types of scripts, how long it takes to write one and some of the most important things one should consider as they put their script together.
There is no set length of time it should take to write a script, but professional screenwriters are often given deadlines they have to meet, so being able to write quickly and efficiently is certainly an asset.Deadlines are often flexible depending on what kind of script you are working on. Biopics usually take longer since there is a lot of research that has to go into scripting them.
Screenwriting is the art of writing a script for a feature film or television show, and there are many different genres of screenplays to write. Each genre is unique in the types of stories they tell and in the way they are written. Learning the intricacies of each genre will help you become a more balanced screenwriter.
The common screenplay genres include:
Drama: Drama screenplays explore stories with high stakes and a lot of conflicts. They’re plot-driven and demand that every character and scene move the story forward.
Action/Adventure: These are fast-paced and include a lot of action like fight scenes, chase scenes, and slow-motion shots.
Fiction: They build worlds and alternate realities that are filled imagined elements that don’t exist in the real world.
Comedy: These are funny and entertaining.
Horror: These are shocking, suspenseful, and scary. Their main purpose is to leave people with an overwhelming sense of fear and dread.
Fantasy: Fantasy screenplays feature magical and supernatural elements that do not exist in the real world.
Biopic: This is a film that dramatizes the life of a non-fictional or historically-based person or people.
On the Ideal Process for Script Writing:
Outline: Much like a roadmap, an outline will tell you where you are and where you are going. That doesn’t mean you can’t make a few side trips, but without that destination you’ll be lost.
Pre-Write: Do the Pre-write right and you will save you time and fill less frustrated.
-Identify and design your main character.
-Build the main conflict.
-Structure of the main story points.
Remember Your Audience: A screenwriter is writing for his or her audience. Always. Who that audience is depends on the kind of movie you’re writing. When in doubt, put yourself in the chair.
Write a synopsis: A Synopsis is the essence of the story, told in the order the audience will be watching it.
Always Be Cutting: Not everything you write is gold. Some of it needs to be flushed away.
Rewrite: Whether you like it or loathe it, you have to rewrite, and you have to rewrite well.
Get notes from the right people: Screenwriting can get lonely. For days and days, it’s just you and your laptop so get the right people to look at your script to get some feedback. When it feels good, you are ready to go.