Mslexia

Mslexia, the magazine for women who write | www.mslexia.co.uk

Essentials

SCRIPTWRITERS' JARGON

Calling card/ Spec script: Script you are not being paid to write, commonly used by aspiring scriptwriters to showcase talent

Development: when a script is taken on by a production company to be drafted and edited, following the securing of finance for the project. In Britain three or four films out of ten will be made after development stage

Option/commission: the sale of your script to a producer. The option fee is like a novelist’s advance. The rights to the script are later bought out in full after a royalty percentage from film profits (minus the option fee) is paid to the writer

Outline: The plot structure to your story, avoiding unnecessary embellishments

Pitch: a verbal description of your script/ story idea to a producer/ creative executive. The aim is to ‘sell’ your script in less than 10 minutes
Producer:the person who finds new writers, develops projects (sometimes even casts or edits)

Production: the film-making process

Post-production: Everything that takes place once the film has been shot (editing, grading, music, visual effects)

Runner: the lowliest position in production companies – a good way to get your foot in the door of the industry

Script format: the industry standard for script layout. See www.films.com.br and www.screenwriting.info

Script reader: production companies employ readers to assess scripts. Commonly readers view the first ten pages, only reading in full if there is sign of talent. About 15 per cent are read in full. You can also pay for a script report from a script reader (see www.firstfilm.co.uk or www.scriptfactory.co.uk)

Synopsis: A brief description of the overall story

Treatment: describes what happens in your story; includes a detailed storyline, outlines of cast members and locations, and an idea of the ‘look’ of the film. Usually 5-25 pages long. Very little dialogue is used in most cases

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