How to write a successful film script

An excellent script is one of the most important elements of making a successful film; and because of this writing one can be an incredibly daunting and time-consuming process, especially if it is your first time.

Below are some top tips which we hope will help ease you through the process.

• Consider these questions

1. Who is the audience? Note, there may well be more than one group so do try to prioritise them.
2. What is the objective of the film? I.e. how has this film come about and what are your reasons for making it?
3. What are your key messages? A useful exercise is to consider ‘upon watching this film, the audience will…’ What do you want your audience to understand, feel, think as a result of watching this film? And what do you need to show them to achieve this?

• Keep it simple

Don’t try and overcomplicate what you do, audiences will only engage with your script and film if they can easily understand what you are trying to say. A friendly but informative tone will resonate with everyone.

• Tell a story

We cannot emphasise how important this is, as humans we are far more likely to remember information when explained in a narrative format. Rather than tell your audience information, take them on a journey with you- it will make for a far more memorable final product.

• Be ruthless

It is very common for the first several attempts to be full of unnecessary information and be far too long; try to cut the content down and ensure you only include information which feeds into your original objectives.

FYI a good rule of thumb is approximately 100-120 words will be spoken per minute of film.

• Quality control

Run your script past people to gain their opinions- colleagues and a cross-section of your intended audience is ideal but also so are those who aren't familiar with your organisation… it should resonate with them even if they don’t know the ins and outs of what you do.

• Utilise your resources

If you are working with a production agency, use their expertise! A decent production company will consult with clients at the scripting stage, they can act as a sanity check to see how much those outside of your organisation understand what you are communicating, or if you wish may write the whole script for you. Either way your production agency should be instrumental in ensuring your script delivers exactly what you need it to do.