Basics Film-Making: Screenwriting is the second in the Basics Film-Making series and is aimed both at students on film production courses, as well as those wishing to write a short film. The book teaches the key elements of screenwriting through examining areas such as dialogue, sound, setting, shots and structure. It also provides advice to new film-makers on how to market their productions. This is an essential guide to screenwriting and will teach you to write and produce artistically satisfying shorts.

How to get the most out this book. Introduction. What is screenplay?: The screenwriter; Writing for the screen; What is script? Script forms - feature film/short film; Good practice; Finding your ideas. Concept/Treatment/Pitch: Essential elements of storytelling; Genre/form; Log lines; Treatment; Step treatment; The pitch; Script formats. First draft: Character; Creating the world; The physical world - mise en scene; Action; Tone and genre; Dialogue. Second draft: Writing the second draft; Whose story is this?; Voice-over; Making dialogue convincing; How do I explain what's happening?; Refining dialogue; Mise en scene - next steps; Beginnings and endings. Script editing: Critiquing and feedback; Analysis: character and world; Analysis: action, interaction and structure; Analysis: word and image; Analysis: closure/ambiguity; After effects and meaning. Screenwriters: unscripted 144: Alisha McMahon; James Condon; Thomas Gladstone and Alexander Johnson; Alexander Woodcock; Mark Herman. Conclusion. Glossary. A Nice Cup of tea; complete drafts. Picture credits. Acknowledgements.