How To Write A Script Analysis

Writing a script analysis is a tricky thing to do, but it’s very helpful in many ways. Not only does writing a script analysis help you identify weaknesses in your screenplay, it can also help you create stronger scripts! Here are some reasons why you should consider writing a script analysis.

It can help you find out if your story has true protagonists and antagonists. You will know who your characters are and what makes them tick, which can boost your writing confidence.

You may be able to fix poor storylines by looking at how they work. By understanding the components of a plot, you can make sure that yours has enough of them!

If you want to become more knowledgeable about screenwriting, doing a script analysis is one way to go about it. Most good writers have their flaws and things that they could improve upon, so getting insights into those areas can help you as a writer.

Heck, even Hollywood professionals sometimes get screened for and asked to explain the workings of their stories! So, don’t hesitate to try writing a script analysis if you’d like some tips.

Here’s an easy primer on how to write a script analysis.

Look at the narrative

A script analysis is any writing or storytelling technique that looks at the text, or segment of a story, directly. You can do it as reading-focused or as creative writing focused.

When you read fiction, there are certain markers that writers include to tell their stories. There’s usually a protagonist and a goal, along with a setting and timing. In nonfiction, it’s more about identifying themes, which are recurring ideas or concepts in a piece.

With screenwriting, however, there’s another element to look for - the script analyzer.

A script analyst doesn’t have a character, they don’t have a goal, and they may not even have a plot. But they always exist within the context of a given scenario or situation. For example, if someone asked you what you were doing this weekend, you could describe your plans as an event organizer, or you could talk about how you plan to watch football on Sunday.

As writer’s we need to be aware of the presence of script analysts in our work. They play a big part in helping us understand the narratives we create for ourselves and others.

Examine the characters

A good script analysis makes you look at the story in terms of its individual parts-the characters, the setting, and how well these three pieces fit together.

This is an important step in writing your own scripts because it helps you understand what kind of stories people like to read and how they want to be influenced by writers.

Characters are always the most powerful element in storytelling. People relate to others who feel and think like them, so why not use that as your source of inspiration?

As writer’s we spend a lot of time thinking about what our character should do next or whether their action was justified, but very few of us take time to consider what makes each character tick.

What qualities do they have? What emotions do they experience? When were those feelings triggered? These questions can help you write more authentic dialog and descriptions.

Setting is also key when it comes to narrating a story. Make sure your readers know where everything takes place and if there are any references to things outside of the frame of the story.

Identify the themes

The first step in writing a script analysis is to identify the major thematic elements of the film. These could be characters, settings, storylines, etc. There are several ways to do this. You can use notes from the filming process as material.

Another way is to read through the screenplay multiple times and take note of what parts you remember or feel significant. Then, organize these pieces into categories and figure out how they relate to each other.

The final method is to create an outline with key points underlined and then connect all of the important ideas. By doing this, you will also see if there are any recurring themes that keep reappearing.

These recurring themes help show how much importance the writer gave to certain aspects of the story.

Find the weaknesses

There are three main things that can weaken the writing of your script or strengthen the reader’s perception of the character. They are the story, the characters, and the setting.

The story is what tells the audience what happens and how it affects the characters. The plot is the framework for this to occur within. A strong plot has an escalating buildup towards a climax and then a resolution.

The story should be clear and unambiguous- there should not be any question about what is happening in each scene nor why the scenes connect with one another. Make sure everything in the narrative makes sense and is consistent.

Characters are someone else’s view of the world. We look at people and we think, “that person would be so out of place if they acted like that.” Or, “I wouldn’t want to be around them because I know what kind of person they really are.”

Setting is important because it gives us context for the stories we tell ourselves every day. What environments we use as examples help make sense of other situations.

Any of these three parts can be weak, but looking for specific signs of weakness will help you identify where the problem lies. If you are struggling to write a particular element, try comparing yourself to writers who have succeeded before. You may find the solution in their work.

Revise the script

After you have finished reading the script, it is time to revise the script! This means making changes to the story, the characters, or both.

This can be done in any of these three areas depending on what needs revision. If there are problems with the plot, then you will need to rework the storyline. If the characters feel fake, then you will need to revamp their personalities.

If the problem is too much dialogue, then you can cut down on some of the fluff that was included before.

There are several ways to do this; you can use your own voice for parts, ad libbing (speaking off-script) or using shorter sentences. You can also add more action or suspense by including more events or conversations.

Running a final ‘revise’ session after editing is important so that your writing doesn't suffer due to poor editing earlier on.

Produce a draft

Once you have your script finished, it is time to produce a draft! This can be done in several ways, depending on what type of writer you are. Some people write their drafts longhand while others use pre-written scripts as templates.

Whatever method you choose to do, make sure to take your time to really work on your writing. Your first draft should not be too polished, otherwise you will lose focus and end up editing more than producing anything new.

When was the last time you wrote something that wasn’t perfect? I doubt there has ever been an occasion when this has happened.

Edit the draft

After you have written your script, it is time to edit it! While there are some who believe that the first writing of a script is the hardest, editing is actually the most difficult part.

This is because when you wrote your initial version, you probably focused more on telling the story rather than analyzing the story. You wanted to tell this tale and in order to do so, you needed to get through the main plot points first.

But now that you’ve got the ball rolling on analysis, it is important to take another look at the story and see what needs work. Does the conflict feel forced or natural? Is the protagonist believable? Are there enough references to make the setting realistic?

If you notice any of these things, then you should rework the script to fix them! There is no reason to let poor quality material stand without correction.

Review the draft

Once you have written your script, it is time to review it! This can be done in several ways, depending on how much editing you need to do before you feel it is ready to be read.

Some people choose to edit their scripts at the same location every day or week, which helps them get comfortable with the writing process.

By doing this, they eventually learn when the story feels finished and the dialogue sounds natural.

For more advanced writers, there are online tools that will let you test out your script’s flow and whether or not your characters sound believable.

You may also want to consider getting some professional feedback on your work. There are many ways to gain this such as from reading free chapters of books or paying for an individual critique.