By Charlotte Bracken

Understanding of Script

Commissioning

IG1 – Task 2

IntroductionIn this report I will show understanding

of script commissioning is and also describe in detail of what process a script writer will go through to the development of a script to be forwarded for production using second hand resources such as books, magazines and websites which will contain all the information I will need.

Commissioning is clearly stated on the BBC for any screenwriters wanting a clearer understanding. It explains what will happen to an idea which has been sent in to the BBC Commissioning team. The BBC is straight forward and gives specific details which people will find very helpful. It gives a section on whether a person is eligible to register or not. It is one of the main places where people can freely send in scripts which can give many people an opportunity to start their career, if they had one in the media business. I think the BBC is good for what it does as it is one of the worlds largest broadcasting organisations.

“Each offer sent to the BBC Commissioning team is automatically and securely logged with a unique reference number for your records following your submission. e-Commissioning enables the BBC to handle the huge volume of proposals it receives faster and more effectively so producers submitting proposals to the BBC receive a quicker response” (Online)

“ITV today announced three major new drama commissions for 2011, written and created by three of the UK’s leading screenwriters Peter Morgan, Anthony Horowitz and Sally Wainwright” (online)“ITV Director of Television, Peter Fincham, said: “ITV is increasingly building a reputation for working with the very best writing and acting talent.  These three new commissions, written by three of the UK’s most acclaimed screenwriters, join an impressive and varied range of drama for 2011, alongside the likes of The Oaks, Monroe, Kidnap and Ransom, and the return of Primeval.” (Online)

ITV’s commissions part of the website seems more complex than the BBC’s. It talks about three new commissions which have been placed in ITV by “three of the UK’s leading screenwriters Peter Morgan, Anthony Horowitz and Sally Wainwright” (Online). The ITV doesn’t seem to look for new talent in the screenwriting yet they seem set on using the very best writing talent. This gives no one outside of ITV to show off what they have.

“We were looking for 12 talented, original and diverse writers who currently have no broadcast credit but wish to write for television drama” (Online)

Channel 4 offers people to a chance to have script they have wrote seen to and decide whether it is original and good or it’s copied another TV series with the narrative. This offer is open every year for a limited time only as they look for a certain amount of people who have talent of writing original scripts. This gives newly formed talented writers a chance to work with professional writers and develop new skills and the chance to get ‘in’ to the industry. Channel 4 in my own opinion has set up a good idea and a great chance for people who enjoy doing script writing and which to get a career out of it. Not many stations would give this opportunity only a few.

Screenwriting can be one of the easiest things in the world, if u have a natural talent for it or an understanding of the structure and layout. Some people need to develop their skills more when writing a script by researching it within depth to get a more clear understanding. There are many sources in the world which can help you undertsand more about how to script write to professional standards via magazines, websites and even books which I, myself have also used throughout my presentation. The development of a script can seem very complicated as you have to think of a main story line which involves the beginning, middle and end what will hold a plot within. A main protagonist (Character) is also important as most stories evolve around that character because that single character will be in most scenes and will have the plot, or story line based around them and their life. It helps establish a story which can be more detailed and specific lining up the narrative for the audience to follow. Some people in the world do not get that successful in script writing where others go on to make TV programs or soaps which are watched by a whole nation.

“a story is composed of three sections: a beginning introduces a complication of a character’s life, launching the story. The middle section presents developing action, a series of revolutions and discoveries, which drives the story forward. The end resolves the story conflict, often through a reversal of fortune for the main character!” (Book)

This section of a book resource which I have looked at explains a brief explanation which everyone seems to know about stories or screenwriting. If an idea of a story did not have a beginning, middle or end then there wouldn't be no story so thinking of the basics is one of the first main things to do. Each of the three main sections have to be set with in detail to set the story, getting a better narrative for someone reading the script is a better start as they can base a small image in their mind on what the story will most likely look like and predict what will happen to decide whether its good or not.

“Developing a character through story provides the quickest way to a narrative spine and therefore, a potential main story. However, developing story through character will provide you with a clear understanding of the character’s motivations and, therefore, a potential plot and ultimately a main story. Both routes work and both are regularly used by different writers to arrive are essentially the same position” (Book)

This quote can give the script writing a main direction on where to go. Having a main ‘narrative spine’ and having the main protagonist put into place and basing the story around the character can often help people as its the quickest way to get a story. A good script which will get looked at should have a main story and a good plot to keep the reader of the script interested. Clear indications of what is expected of a script is vital as a script needs to be the best it can be.

“If your script is ‘optioned’ by a producer – where they buy the rights to exploit that property for a set period of time- it will go into ‘development’. Here the producer will discuss the script with you and properly give you ‘notes’ asking you to rewrite or change certain parts to their suggestions (if amicably agreed) or demands (if not).” (Book, Page 5)

When a script has been chosen, a ‘collaborative process’ will take place where a producer will read it and possibly make some changes. These changes must be agreed before anything else happens. This section of the source I have chosen gives a brief insight on what is expected. The write must be open to changes in the script.

“being a visual medium, these ‘sometimes’ are visible actions and desires that can be seen on the screen – they form the action of your story. Expressing your story concept will help you achieve clarity about your characters and the action of your story” (Book, Page 44)

This source gives the same information as most of the other sources I have used. It is all based on screenwriting breaking it down and giving individual tips which can help someone further along the way. Writing a script to professional standards is not easy and straight forward as its the little details you have to look out for. Again, the quotation taken from the source talks about the character in the story as it the story is always based around the character as it helps get an in depth feel on what the story will be about and whether its original or not.

“Developing new ideas is the first essential part of working as a screenwriter. Most professional screenwriters have upwards of seven projects in various stages of development at any one time. A writer submitting storylines to an existing television writers will be expected to arrive with a minimum of five ideas and may well work through fifteen before one is accepted for the series.” (Book)

Writing a script doesn't always come to someone as easy as it does with others. So using a book like “The Art and Science of Screenwriting, Philip Parker” is a good place to start as it helps the person work and understand from a professional screenwriters perspective. Giving the person a better feel for screenwriting. Writing a script professional standard can be tricky as you have to learn what not to do.

“The success of a show does not hinge solely on casting; HBO (Home Box Office), for example invest heavily in their writers, many of whom are established Hollywood scriptwriters. Writing is considered integral to the authenticity and integrity of the show” (Magazine)

This section of the magazine shows and highlights that the writers are very important during the creation of a program. For a show to be a success, there has to be a decent, well thought script behind it. Without the script there would be no show. The Home Box Office or the HBO invest in script writers especially Hollywood scriptwriters. This can show people that you have to have skill in script writing and have professional standards. Starting off little can help you go bigger. Hollywood seems to be a place where everyone would like to end up someday as its one of the main places who have the best programs and even films.

ConclusionAfter conducting all of this research, I have found out many things in order to write a script and submit it to a broadcasting organisation. It can be very simple, or complex depending on the organisation. To script write you need to be very creative and open minded to write a good story which may later on be changed slightly. Talent is one of the key ways in which to write a good script. Even if you are not sure on what exactly to write or even structure your script there is help all over which people can access. In my own personal opinion, organisations just like the BBC, have opened opportunities to many people in the public who have a gift or even want to learn. Knowing there is a place where people can hand something of their own work and for it to be chosen and read by professionals gives more people hope in that they can do it. Reading all of the sources I have used in my presentation of understanding of script commissioning, I have some understandings in which the BBC has helped me more as the website I have used gives detailed specific information which people will need for their script. The books go in depth of what is expected in script writing and doesn't give much on commissioning itself but still is very helpful and useful in many more ways.