How To Write An Animated Film Script
Writing for animation is very different from writing for live action films. There are several reasons for this, but one of the biggest is that animated movies have longer breaks between scenes than normal feature length stories.
This break time can be used in many ways- some writers use it to brainstorm or prepare new scenes, while others may need to relax and refresh after all the hard work they put into previous scenes.
There are also things like flashbacks, where you rewind the movie to go back in time, which require more written material to make sure everything makes sense.
When creating your script, think about how you could take a short break during filming and what parts could be extended due to these breaks.
Write as if you were writing the script
Writing an animated film script is very different from writing any other type of screenplay. You should know how to write like a writer before you begin writing your first movie!
Just because something is animated does not mean it needs to be fun to watch. An audience will lose focus quickly when watching an overly humorous or action-packed movie.
General tips for writers include keeping scenes short, avoiding excessive use of adverbs, and using simple language. When writing a new section, try to create a bridge by introducing a topic and then developing it more in depth.
When investing in animation equipment, do not buy too much unless you have a lot of money to spend. A good starting point is enough for most beginners.
Take notes
Writing for animation is very different from writing for live action films. An important thing to note is that while stories for animated movies are usually focused on events, narratives, and sequences of scenes, content in animated movies can also include longer pieces called segments or episodes.
This doesn’t mean that you have to write long stretches of fiction, however! There are some great tools available now that allow you to create and edit short animations easily. You may want to try your hand at creating your own cartoons to see how easy it is!
There are many ways to get into the animation industry so whatever style you choose to pursue, there will always be opportunities to hone your craft. The best way to learn about story telling is by reading lots of books and watching lots of TV shows and movies.
This article has discussed some basics of storytelling for feature length films, but there are no rules saying that this structure cannot be adapted and applied to another format as well.
Organize your notes
Now that you have the script skeleton down, it’s time to start organizing your notes. Use note-taking apps or make use of notebooks to organize your ideas.
Start by making lists related to each element in the screenplay. These can be lists of characters, scenes, themes, etc. Make sure to not only include the main points, but also the supporting details such as examples and metaphors.
Once all the major items are done, begin adding some additional notes to give more insight into the story and its elements. You can do this at any stage until you feel the writing is fluid and natural.
These extra notes can relate back to what was earlier written or new information that has been gathered since then.
Connect with the cast and crew
As mentioned earlier, being a writer for a film is a lot of work! There are so many different people involved in creating a movie that there’s always someone new you need to meet and get along with well.
If you’re ever struggling to make progress as a writer, go out to a movie or watch TV to find your next writing inspiration. A good way to begin writing your own script is by reading other writers’ material - take some time to read through their notes, comments and rewrites before getting into the process of drafting your own screenplay.
There are also various online communities where aspiring screenwriters can share tips and tricks, talk about projects they’ve started and get feedback from others in the industry. You could even create your own website or profile page to give yourself a platform to spread your creative ideas.
Learn to take risks
As we discussed, writing for animated films is a lot of risk taking! You are investing your time in creating something that may or may not be accepted by others. Your script could be trashed and you could lose all hope of being paid for it as well.
But this should actually push you towards making the movie more quickly! If someone else can make great movies with bad scripts, then you’re already ahead of the game!
Your chances of success increase exponentially when you write your own material.
Focus on the story
An animated film script is not like any other type of screenwriting. You will need to be very familiar with how stories work before you can begin writing yours.
Screenwriters write stories about characters and settings, then add in some events, but that’s it!
Animated films are different. They start with a setting and a few events, but beyond that they really get going.
What makes an interesting movie narrative? A story must have a protagonist and a climax. The plot usually has several episodes or sections where something important happens.
In an animated feature, these three elements are even more essential because there are no real characters.
Know your market
As we have discussed before, story is a very universal element that can be applied to any genre or medium. This makes it important to know your audience, what types of stories they enjoy, and how to tell a story that fits with their preferences.
As mentioned earlier, people who enjoy animated films love stories that are humorous, relatable, and/or feel good.
Films that fit into all these categories are easy to find so this is not a significant challenge! However, writing a film that features one or more of these elements may present a slight problem.
When creating an animation script, writers must keep in mind that the movie will eventually be filmed, therefore there should be no instances where the narrative falls flat. You do not want your hard work to go to waste because the director could not stand the current state of affairs for ten minutes.
This is why it is important to test your material out frequently. Try reading through your script using real time settings and see if you can watch the movie like a normal person would.
If you get stuck at a crucial moment then stop and reevaluate whether or not what you wrote made sense and try to address the issue, but never rewrite content just to make things flow easier.
Get an agent
An animated film script is very different from any other kind of screenplay. It does not have chapters or scene numbers to follow, it is not written in narrative structure, and it does not contain dialogue.
Instead, every frame is one shot that tells part of a longer story. This means your writing must be able to connect all the pieces together into a cohesive whole.
Your agent will help you do this by creating strong character relationships, engaging action, and keeping the flow natural and smooth.
Agents are also a great source of creative input for your writer. They can suggest ideas and insights for characters and scenes, as well as push you towards different genres and styles.