Unit 19 learning aim A

 Scriptwriting report 

Intro 

 

A script is a document that consists of stage directions, dialogue, setting, characters for movies, games, and TV shows. Most screenwriters start their script with a logline, which is a one or two sentence description of the entire movie’s plot. They then begin with an outline of the plot, consisting of the beginning, middle and end, with each section summed up in a sentence. Building on that, they write a treatment, which is a more “fleshed out” description of the script, which should read like a short story. After that, the process of the scriptwriting can begin, which is a process only achieved through demanding work. Once the screenplay has been written, you must properly format and edit it. There are many script templates available on the internet which can be used, and editing your work can take several revisions before you arrive at your final draft. 

Scriptwriters are responsible for making sure their work is coherent for the director and the actors, as they are the ones who are relied upon to tell the story. Writers must include clear stage directions and must provide the emotions necessary for certain scenes. 

 

Roles and responsibilities of scriptwriters in the media industry 

 

 

 

Pitching: One of the most common ways a scriptwriter is hired is pitching their work. Writers will reach out to executive producers digitally or in person. One must be able to convey and sell their ideas in a way that intrigues and interests. Pitching your ideas is a skill many writers must pertain before sharing their script. 

 

Adaptations: Another way writers get hired is through adapting an already established piece of media (e.g., a game, TV show or movie), and expanding on the story by converting it into another piece of media. This is frequent practice with streaming services such as Disney+, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. 

   

Rewrite: one of the most common ways for a screenwriter to get hired is through a rewrite. This is usually common in the television sector of media, which is why seeing more than one writer on a show is common. This is when a writer was fired or when a script was written “in house,” and another writer was hired to take over and improve the script. 

 

Case study: Joss Whedon 

 

Joseph “joss” Hill Whedon, born June 23rd, 1964, in New York, USA is famous for his scriptwriting work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as his writing choices including Strong female role models and catchy dialogue. He has been nominated for many awards for his work, including best writing (Toy story), and outstanding writing for a drama series (Buffy).  

 

Whedon was born in Manhattan and was raised by the son of a scriptwriter for television shows, and a high school teacher who was a feminist, which is possibly where his feminist agenda began. At 18 years old, he joined the film studies program in Connecticut. Graduating in 1987, he moved to Los Angeles to pitch his project, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to no avail. He managed to get a job working on the sitcom Roseanne in 1989, whilst continuing to pitch his idea to directors. By 1992, Whedon had managed to get his film released, featuring actors like Donald Sutherland and Kristy Swanson, to mixed reviews from critics. He then went on to write for Toy story. 

In 1997, Whedon got a chance to retell his idea of Buffy the vampire slayer in the form of a television series.  

For his writing process, he has 10 key rules, of which we shall cover a few of.  

• Finish it. “I have so many friends who have written two thirds of a screenplay, and then rewritten it for about three years” 

• Establish structure. “Structure means knowing where you’re going; making sure you don’t meander about” 

• Track the mood of the audience. “You have one goal: to connect with your audience. Therefore, you must track what your audience is feeling at all times” 

• Write like a movie. “If something is lush and extensive, you can describe it glowingly; if something isn't important, just get past it tersely” 

Demands and requirements 

In order to improve their craft, writers will go to great lengths. Some examples include: 

 

• Take scriptwriting classes. Taking classes is an effective way to hone in their writing, especially if they are a beginner. When taking classes, you learn from experts who have experience, and it creates connections in the industry. While scriptwriting is not an industry where a specialised education is required, it can help to teach you the basics and create great opportunities. 

• Finding a mentor. A mentor is first and foremost a useful contact and connection in the industry. They can also offer writers advice and feedback on their work, as well as promoting their work and help with organising pitches for them. 

• Creating portfolios. In order to become known in the industry, writers may create and share their portfolios. A portfolio is like a CV, featuring all the writer’s best work and can help producers when trying to find a writer. It also can expand their online presence and help to get people talking about their work. 

 

When writing for a certain media sector, a writer may encounter certain aspects of writing that differ from other media sectors.  

 

For example, in the film sector, a script can be written under a lengthy schedule, especially if it is a stand-alone story and not a sequel, allowing for more creative freedom and ideation. This is different from writing in the television industry, as it requires a scriptwriter to work under a strict and short schedule to get an episode out in time. However, the writing process for scriptwriting in the film industry is not without its demands. For example, films tell stories which are independent media texts, and therefore a movie typically has a shorter runtime than a season of a television show. this means that a concise yet comprehensive storytelling structure that cannot rely on the luxury of multiple episodes of storytelling is required. 

However, the demands and requirements of scriptwriting does not stop at the differences between time constraints, such as the demands of writing for videogames. When writing, scriptwriters will need to consider the interactive nature of a videogame, and how a story can change due to the actions of a player, differing from the straightforward narratives of most media types.  

Another scriptwriting requirement is the visual emphasis of a film screening. The average film requires a larger-than-life theme, which can often involve compelling visuals and immersive storytelling to keep the audience’s expectations of cinema met.   

 

Legal and ethical considerations for scriptwriters in the media industry 

 

When working in the scriptwriting industry, writers must consider the legal requirements of their job. 

• Copyright. The definition of copyright states that it is “a type of intellectual property that protects original works”. When creating a script, a scriptwriter may need to adhere to copyright laws if they decide to feature somebody else’s work, otherwise they may end up in legal trouble. 

• Plagiarism. While sharing similarities to copyright, plagiarism is when ideas or work from someone else are presented as your own without permission. The differences between the two stems from the fact that copyright laws protect brands and products, whereas plagiarism is the stealing of ideas or work. 

•  The public domain. This refers to media which has lost its copyright protection due to it expiring, allowing free use over the property. When writing a script based on property in the public domain writers must make sure that all properties they utilize are under fair use. 

 

 

 

 

Case study 

 

When Guy Ritchie’s “the gentlemen” released in 2019, Mickey De Hara claimed that the film was a “substantial” recreation of his own script, claiming that multiple scenes had been stolen and repurposed into another film. 

Because of this, Ritchie was sued for plagiarism. The lawsuit was filed in the London High Court.  

Mickey De Hara allegedly claims that Ritchie had paid him to write a sequel to RockNRolla, based on his own experiences with drug possession and jail time. According to the lawsuit, he claimed that Ritchie’s movie plagiarises the characters and plot seen in De Hara’s script.  

One such piece of evidence is that in De Hara’s script, a character named coach is the superior of a group of thugs called “The baby squad”. This can be seen as a direct copy of the characters seen in the Ritchie movie, as a character named the coach, played by Colin Farrell is the superior of a group named “The Toddlers”.  

De Hara has denied that there was not any attempt to reach out to him about this matter from Ritchie.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethical concerns for scriptwriters 

 

• Defamation. Defamation is when a media text attempts to damage the reputation of a certain person, company or organisation. Defamation can be split into two different types: Slander, when attempts at defamation are spoken, and libel, which is when it is written. If a media text is based on a real person, it is important to not present it as defamatory. 

• Censorship. Writers must remember their age demographics for their media texts, as well as what is allowed in a movie. This is especially a present issue for TV shows, as their shows cannot feature any violent content, swearing, or sexual content before the 9PM watershed.  

 

Case study 

An example of ethics being disregarded in a movie production is with Netflix's film: “no limit”, which ended up resulting in a lawsuit. In the movie, which is loosely based on the plaintiff’s life as a free diver, it is suggested that our main character Pipin Ferreras sabotages the air inside his wife’s oxygen tank and leaves her without enough air to get to the surface. The plaintiff accuses Netflix of suggesting he murdered his wife; however, Netflix suggests that their disclaimer that the film is only loosely based off the events of Pipin’s life. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed sum.  

Evaluation 

To summarise, a scriptwriter's roles and responsibilities are to come up with themes and ideas, prepare pitches, develop plots and characters and writing scripts for different media texts. They can obtain work through creating portfolios, pitching their work, and being hired for a rewrite. It is important for scriptwriters to develop their skills and meet demands as they are hired to work for others, and their work must be interesting, or they are less likely to achieve work. They must also adhere to the legal and ethical considerations of their profession as it is vital to complete their job legally.  

 

Reference list 

Aguado, K. (2021). Legal Agreements Every Screenwriter Must Know. [online] Pipeline Artists. Available at: https://pipelineartists.com/legal-agreements-every-screenwriter-must-know/ [Accessed 26 Oct. 2023]. 

D.K.Wilson (n.d.). The Secret How 97% of Screenwriters are Hired. [online] Available at: https://freshmenscreenplay.com/the-secret-how-97-of-screenwriters-are-hired/. 

Eldridge, A. (2023). Joss Whedon | Biography, TV Shows, Movies, & Facts. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joss-Whedon. 

Harrison, E. (2023). Guy Ritchie ‘sued by writer’ who claims The Gentlemen copied his rejected script. [online] The Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/guy-ritchie-the-gentlemen-lawsuit-b2320288.html [Accessed 26 Oct. 2023]. 

Indeed Career Guide. (2023). How To Be a Good Scriptwriter: 14 Steps To Improve Your Skills. [online] Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-be-a-good-script-writer. 

Krueger, J. (2014). 5 Differences Between TV and Screenwriting | WriteYourScreenplay. [online] www.writeyourscreenplay.com. Available at: https://www.writeyourscreenplay.com/5-differences-between-tv-and-screenwriting/#:~:text=Feature%20film%20writers%20are%20used [Accessed 26 Oct. 2023]. 

Studio, A.W. (2013). Joss Whedon’s Top 10 Writing Tips. [online] Aerogramme Writers’ Studio. Available at: https://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2013/03/13/joss-whedons-top-10-writing-tips/#:~:text=WRITE%20LIKE%20A%20MOVIE&text=If%20something%20is%20lush%20and [Accessed 26 Oct. 2023]. 

victoria188 (2016). Script Writing – Law and ethics. [online] Script Writing. Available at: https://victoriamannscriptwriting.wordpress.com/2016/02/04/script-writing-law-and-ethics/ [Accessed 26 Oct. 2023]. 

Fuster, J. (2023). Netflix Slapped With Defamation Suit Over Free Diving Film ‘No Limit’. [online] TheWrap. Available at: https://www.thewrap.com/no-limit-free-diving-movie-defamation-lawsuit-netflix/ [Accessed 1 Nov. 2023].