How to Write a Shooting Script
Once you’ve finished writing your screenplay and you’ve managed either to secure a production studio that will film it or you’re ready to begin filming yourself. Writing a shooting script is the next step. You’ve cast your actors and crew. And you know what you want to achieve from your film. Knowing how to write a shooting script is your next big challenge in order to bring your film to production.
What is a Shooting Script?
Firstly, the shooting script is the filmmaker’s communication to the rest of the crew. As to what the production is about and how the film should look. Writing a shooting script is basically like planning the production phase of your film.
Just as you created a rough draft, outline and final plan for your original screenplay. Moreover, you’ll go through a similar process in creating the shooting script. One which outlines the Director’s vision and how it will be delivered visually on the set.
Along with the shooting script, you’ll likely create a storyboard and floor plan. To build the foundation of shots, scenes and visual elements that are to take place in the creation of your film.
How to Write a Shooting Script
Writing a shooting script is all about planning out each of your scenes and sets. So that when you pull cast, crew and equipment together for production. You’re prepared!
When writing your shooting script, you’ll want to focus on the following elements:
- The camera – what camera angles will you use? What distance is the camera from the cast? What position is your subject in in relation to your camera?
- The lighting – what lighting are you using? How does the lighting accentuate your subject? How is the lighting enhancing your vision?
- Character blocking – how are your subjects framed within the camera? How are other objects on the set framed? What actions are you showing? Where do you want the audience to focus?
All in the Planning
As you can see, learning how to write a shooting script is really all about planning the visual elements of your scene. So that each set and scene can be filmed exactly as your vision desires.
Furthermore, the shooting script provides an outline of your vision for the rest of the crew to follow so that they can achieve the desired look.
Shooting Script Format
As you prepare to write your shooting script you’ll want to make sure that you follow standard formatting procedure. If you’re using a software to write your shooting script, many of the basic formatting procedures and protocols will be established for you.
However, if you’re formatting your shooting script on your own, make sure that you pay attention to include the following details:
- The number of the scene.
- The number of the shot.
- A brief explanation of which characters are in the shot.
- An explanation of what is happening in the shot (the action).
- What time of day is it? And what is the setting?
- What camera or equipment is needed?
- Where is the scene located?
Summary
Finally, these details will be included for every shot. And every scene that you outline in your shooting script.
As you learn how to write a shooting script you’ll go through your entire script. Scene by scene. And write out each shot for every scene, one by one. Line by line, scene by scene, shot by shot. You’ll visualize how your film is to come together on video.
Make sure to include all of the above details, and as much information about the visual representation of your film as possible so that your cast and crew can achieve your desired artistic vision in reality.