Different readers and sites all seem to offer different breakdowns of your script. While I’m sure 99% of the time we are all looking at the same factors, it can cause confusion, especially if you’re just starting out and seeking screenwriting help.
To help you understand your feedback from Script Corner Services, I will now explain how and where I generate the score card for Script Corner.
If you’re unaware, I will give your script an overall score out of 5 (I include half points, so it is essentially out of 10). Further to the overall score, you will receive an additional score relating to four factors of your script: Plot, Characters, Tone, and Writing.
I believe these are the fundamentals that make up a great script, but as you will see, there can be an overlap between them all. Your goal is to knock it out of the park for all four. These script writing tips will help you understand and implement feedback effectively.
Lets go!
1. Plot
This is the sequence of events that make up your story. It encompasses everything that happens in your script and how those events are structured and presented to the audience. A strong plot keeps the audience engaged, makes sense logically, and delivers a satisfying narrative arc.
Exposition: This covers how well the script sets up the story, introduces characters, and provides the necessary background information without overwhelming or confusing the audience. Try to deal with exposition in the most entertaining way possible – no clunky conversations. It must feel natural.
Pacing: This evaluates the rhythm of the story, ensuring that scenes move at an appropriate speed, maintaining audience engagement and balancing action with quieter moments. You want what are sometimes referred to as tent poles in your script – the big moments – and you want them to be nicely spread across your story.
Structure:
- Progression: Looks at how well the story advances, ensuring each scene builds upon the last.
- Arcs: Examines the development and transformation of the main characters or storylines.
- Turning Points: Assesses the key moments that change the direction of the story, keeping it dynamic and engaging. Tent poles!
2. Characters
The individuals who populate your story. Well-developed characters are essential for making your script compelling and relatable. They should be complex, dynamic, and serve to drive the narrative forward through their actions and development.
Dialogue: Evaluates how natural, engaging, and unique the characters’ spoken words are.
Depth: Looks at how well-developed and multi-dimensional the characters are, ensuring they are not one-note.
Variety: Assesses the diversity of characters in terms of backgrounds, personalities, and roles.
Originality: Examines how unique and fresh the characters feel, avoiding clichés and stereotypes.
Relatability: Looks at how easy it is for the audience to connect with and understand the characters’ motivations and emotions.
3. Tone
It is important to hone the overall mood, style, and feel of your script. It’s the emotional and atmospheric quality that pervades your story, influenced by factors like genre, setting, and the writer’s voice. A consistent tone helps immerse the audience and supports the script’s themes and messages.
World/Setting: Evaluates how well the script creates and maintains a believable and immersive world.
Voice: Assesses the distinctiveness of the writer’s voice and how it contributes to the story’s uniqueness. I love a script where the writer is authentic and their personality and style oozes off the page.
Consistency: Your work needs to remain true to itself, you don’t want the tone of your writing to sound like it’s been written by completely different people.
Themes: Looks at the underlying messages and ideas and how effectively they are woven into the story.
Genre: Evaluates how well the script adheres to or innovates within its chosen genre.
Audience: Assesses the script’s appeal to its intended audience, ensuring it meets their expectations and interests.
4. Writing
The technical and stylistic aspects of your script are the core of what makes this script yours. This includes everything from correct formatting and grammar to the clarity and expressiveness of your prose. Good writing is essential for communicating your story effectively and professionally.
Presentation: Looks at the overall professionalism of the script, including readability and visual appeal.
Formatting: Evaluates adherence to industry-standard script formatting rules.
Punctuation/Grammar: Assesses the technical accuracy of the writing.
Clarity: Looks at how clear and understandable the writing is, ensuring it effectively communicates the story and emotions.
Style:
- White Space: Evaluates the use of space on the page, ensuring it is visually appealing and not overwhelming.
- Energy: Assesses the dynamism and liveliness of the writing.
- Voice: Looks at the distinctiveness of the writer’s voice, ensuring it shines through in the script.
By understanding these elements, you can better interpret the feedback you receive and focus on the areas that will elevate your script to the next level. Each factor plays a critical role in the overall success of your screenplay, and excelling in all four areas will help you create a compelling and memorable story.