Writing a Script or Screenplay at Your Gainesville, Florida Apartment
Whether you’re a casual writer hoping to experiment with new styles or a more experienced script writer looking to write for the silver screen, drafting your first screenplay can be both exhilarating and highly rewarding. Even if you just want to make a short movie with friends, trying out new styles of writing can help to broaden your horizons and help you think outside of the box when it comes to your prose.
Before you find a quiet corner in your Bellamay Grand Apartment to sit down and start work on your screenplay, you may want to use these tips to help you get started:
- Establish and maintain a clear voice – While every writer has other authors that they admire and emulate, write in a way that is true to yourself and communicates your voice, thoughts, and directions clearly. Similarly, make sure that all of your characters have unique voices as well – for example, in a mystery story, the tone of a police detective should differ from that of the beat cop working with him, or even the members of the community they’re trying to help.
- Vernacular is important – When your characters speak, they need to converse in the natural vernacular of the setting. If the film is contemporary or set a few years ago, the dialogue should sound much like it does in everyday life. If, however, the movie takes place in Victorian London or in the far future, do some research and/or predictions and adapt each character’s speech appropriately. And, no matter when your movie takes place, it’s important for your dialogue to have clarity and flow naturally.
- Give directions – Even though you’re not writing for the stage, actors still need direction about how they should interpret a certain scene, especially if their delivery is critical to the feel or mood of the scene. While some sentences (for example, “Look out!”) have a rather clear tonal connotation, more subdued lines should have directions for the actor set immediately before in italics or another distinguishing text.
- Exposition should be shown – Especially with a highly visual medium like film, the old adage of “show, don’t tell” rings true. While some lines of direct exposition are usually necessary, they can often be interspersed gently and seamlessly throughout your script. Use your set descriptions and directions to help your actors envision the setting and avoid spelling things out with stilted, overly explanatory dialogue. Instead, weave context clues into your dialogue and let your audience figure it out.
- Plot twists are your friend – Whether you’re ending a scene full of dialogue or with a pivotal climactic moment, always leave your audience wanting more. While every scene should not have a massive life-or-death cliffhanger, a few moments of doubt sown throughout the script will keep viewers guessing and attentive for what’s coming next.
Armed with these useful tips, you should be ready to get to work on your screenplay in the comfort of your Gainesville, Florida apartment. To learn more about our apartment homes, community amenities, or to schedule a personal tour, please contact our leasing office at Bellamay Grand today.
