Scriptwriting for Extended Productions

1: Understand the formats of scripts for film and TV products

• Script formats e.g. use of standard font, page layout, use of abbreviations and generic terminology, page headers and footers, page numbering, colour coding and style.
• Media sectors e.g. radio, television, computer games, film
• Style of script e.g. house styles, signposting, in and out cues, genre of product, tone and mode of address.
• Information required in a script e.g. depending on media product type.
• Character direction e.g. description, movement
• Camera direction e.g. basic camera movements, prepositions etc.
• Shot descriptors e.g. close-ups, angles, zooms etc.
• Production team information e.g. set, costume and direction suggestions 
• Script considerations for different genres e.g. entertainment and factual programming.
• How scripts are produced to appeal to or directly relate to different audiences e.g. differentiated by age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic background and geographic location.
• Legal considerations e.g. copyright, blasphemy, obscenity law, libel, defamation and plagiarism.
• Ethical considerations e.g. taste, decency, offensive content, censorship, representation of events or individuals.
• The importance of intellectual copyright.

2: Understand how to produce original creative writing

• Plot and plot development e.g. seven basic plots, use of more than one plot, use of sub-plots, mapping key plot events
• Use of language e.g. rhythm and tone to engage, excite or evoke emotion, providing clarity and direction, structuring and developing narrative and story arcs, the construction of wider, long-running narratives, use of persuasive language, terminology, tone and syntax to promote and convince listeners or viewers of a message or meaning.
• Use of language in speech e.g. dialect, slang, regional accents, colloquial terms, jargon, politically sensitive language, verbal shorthand and buzzwords.
• Clarity and intended meaning of language e.g. use of ambiguity, innuendo, ambiguity, hidden meanings, allusion, suggestion, implication and inference and identification of how intended meanings have been communicated.
• Characters e.g. character archetypes, tropes and clichés, character descriptions, male and female descriptions, protagonists, antagonists, or minor characters, diversity and representation  
• Character development e.g. Internal and external character development, character arcs, use of character maps

3: Research and produce a script for a film or TV product

• Ideas generation e.g. analysing a brief, research, brainstorming, discussion. 
• Researching and preparing background material for scripts e.g. primary research, secondary research
• Primary research activities e.g. original interviews, focus groups, surveys, questionnaires, visits and observations 
• Secondary research activities e.g. reading and analysing previously produced content on similar subjects, online forums/discussions and opinion pieces.
• Analysing materials collected e.g. quantitative and qualitative analysis, relevance, identifying facts and quotes for use in the script, inspiration for content.
• Producing a script proposal e.g. the title, an overview, genre, scenario, suggested target audience, unique selling points, product intentions, character briefs
• Produce script using appropriate linguistic conventions e.g. syntax, vocabulary, target audience considerations, allusion and reference, formal and colloquial language use, definition of terminology or jargon.
• Use appropriate presentation format e.g. word processed, formal tone and style, effective communication, industry expectations.
• Drafting and editing in light of feedback