How To Create And Organize Script Versions: Improve Your Screenwriting Productivity

Script versions are the lines of dialogue that can be changed in a script. For example, if you have ever seen a play or musical, each performer has their own version of the script.

The number of versions for a script is usually determined by the writer, who might write several different versions so that the director and actors can have some flexibility in how the script is performed.

A script version usually gives an actor more freedom to change the dialogue in order to suit their own character or add something to make it more natural when they are performing.

Lines from one version might not even appear in another version of the same script, depending on which character comes up with the line.

Some versions might even leave out entire scenes or characters, making it possible for one actor to play several parts in the same play.

This is similar to stage directions. Many scripts will provide detailed descriptions of what is taking place on stage at each moment during the course of a performance, but it is also up to the director and actors to decide how exactly they want these directions interpreted on stage.
 

What Are Script Versions?

A script version is a complete, annotated version of a screenplay.

It includes all scenes, deleted scenes and alternative takes. It may also include the shooting script for a film that hasn’t been released yet.

The script version is often used by screenwriters who want to discuss their work with other people in the industry, such as producers and directors.

“The advantage of the script version is that it has all the information in it,” says screenwriter Beatrix Christian. “You don’t have to do all the work of figuring out what’s what.”

The danger of sharing your screenplay in its script version form is that it can be easily copied and distributed illegally online.

Hence, some writers prefer sending their scripts via email or through private file-sharing sites because sharing them in public forums might encourage piracy.

Before you decide to share your screenplay on a public forum, contact an intellectual property lawyer to learn more about how you can protect your intellectual property from unauthorized use and distribution.

   

WGA Script Revision Colors And Hierarchy

When I started to learn about scriptwriting, the first thing I did was look for a software that would help me write my scripts. I searched for it and found Final Draft, which costs $149.95.

It has helped me write scripts in a good professional way. Final Draft interface is very simple and easy to use.

It uses three basic colors when you are writing scripts, namely; white, yellow, blue.

Each color is used in different situations.

White is used for scene headings, character headings, scene descriptions, remarks, and stage directions.

Yellow is used for the speaker’s name or a character’s name which appears at the beginning of every line of dialogue or action lines.

Blue is used for time codes that appear at the top right corner of each page.

Time codes are placed on every page to let you know where to start reading from when you open your script.

This color is also used for stage directions that appear on the left side of the page under the characters’ names.

Tighten Up Your Script with the Right Revision Colors

The WGA Script revision system is designed to help your screenplay shine through all of the clutter in Hollywood.

This system has been around since the early 1990s and is still a powerful tool for any screenwriter who wants to get noticed.

Scripts are read by humans, not computers. The WGA revision system can make your script more reader-friendly so that producers and executives can find your work faster and easier.

   

WGA Script Revision Colors 

The basic premise is simple: change up your sentence structure, add a few new adjectives, and use bold or underline formatting to make the script “pop off the page”.

How To Do Screenplay Revisions Properly

Revisions can be a difficult process. If you haven’t read my previous posts about writing, I suggest you start there. But for now, let’s focus on revisions.

Expect to do multiple drafts of your screenplay. If you’re in a writing group or class, expect that everyone will turn in their first drafts and receive feedback from each other and the instructor.

You’ll have time to take the feedback into consideration before you revise your own draft. When you revise, think of it as polishing up your work, rather than rewriting it completely.

Don’t try to fix everything all at once because it will make your script too long and unwieldy. Instead, concentrate on one aspect of the story at a time. Make sure that each scene contributes to the whole and is as clear as possible.

If you’re just getting started with screenwriting, I recommend setting aside time every day to work on your script. 

Even if it’s just 10 minutes here and there, it will  add up to hours over the course of a month. Over time, your script will become easier for people to read and understand.

 The most common advice given to screenwriters is that the first draft is never any good. This doesn’t take into account that a screenplay has two separate but intertwined lives.

It’s not just a document you can improve and refine to create a usable story, it’s also the tool you’ll use to sell your story to the people who will bring it to life. 

In order to do that, you need to be able to handle notes with grace and see past the initial reaction of “but I spent ages on that bit!”

   

Write And Produce Your Scripts All In One Place

It’s not easy to write a good script. It’s also not easy to produce it.

This is why so many people fail before they even start. They don’t know how to do it and then give up.

Trying to do both jobs at once can be overwhelming and discouraging. That’s why we developed Screenwriter Pro software for Mac OS X.  It’s the best screenwriting software on the market today.

It gives you everything you need to write and produce your scripts in one place. Screenwriter Pro is designed for people who write and produce their own scripts or screenplays instead of paying someone else to do it for them.

If that sounds like you, then this is the best screenwriting software for you.  It will save you time, money, and effort while producing professional results.

Since 2011, we’ve been offering quality video production services to our clients.

We’re based in the heart of London and as a video agency, we offer a range of different services to suit all budgets, ideas, and projects. 

Trying to write a script and produce it yourself can be hard work.

This is why we offer both services under one roof. Our team of talented writers and producers is here to help you with everything you need from scripting your video project, to directing, filming, and producing the finished piece.

You’ll find that our team members are friendly, professional, and experienced at creating branded content for companies across the UK.

We have a range of packages available to suit all budgets and we’re also able to take on smaller or urgent jobs thanks to our fast turnaround times.

We offer everything from small testimonial videos for your business, to corporate training videos, event videos, and animation work.

Our talented team of directors can work with you to create the perfect video short or long-form video production.

Why Make Script Versions?

Script versions of your video are a great way to make it more accessible to people who have trouble with the spoken word.

If you’re shooting something that’s going to be used online, you should consider adding a script version to your video, because most people will have better luck with a transcript than they will with subtitles.

Who can benefit from script versions? People who have trouble hearing or understanding the spoken word. 

That includes folks who are hard of hearing and those who have cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s disease or autism.

But there are plenty of other reasons for making a script version of your video, including A transcript that makes it possible for someone to skim what’s being said and still get an idea of the video’s purpose.

   

People can use auto-play features on screen readers and mobile devices to listen to the audio while they read the text.

If you’re making a product demo, you can use the transcript as a quick reference for step-by-step directions.

When you link to your video on social media, a script version makes it easy for someone who isn’t able to watch it directly (on Facebook, for example) to get the gist of what’s being said without any extra effort.

Actors should always be prepared to audition with a script version of the material. The main reason is that the casting director needs to be able to see whether you can deliver your lines clearly and with intention.

Your goal is to make the reading as natural as possible; the casting director should hear a heightened version of your regular speech patterns, not an exaggerated version of your performance.

Do not try to make your acting choices obvious–let them unfold naturally, just as they would in full production.

A good way to keep yourself from overacting is to read the lines without any emotion (in other words, tell the story without feeling it). 

Another reason for doing a script version is that sometimes casting directors will change parts of the scene or cut some dialogue when they are looking for a specific type of actor for their project.

It’s better for you if you know how to perform those changes on the spot rather than get caught off guard.

If you know the exact words that are going to be spoken by each character, you’ll be able to give a naturalistic performance no matter what changes are made.

   

Creating A New Script Version

The most common reason we want to be able to create a new version of our script is that we are working on the 5th draft of our screenplay and we want to start over with a clean slate while preserving the work that we have already done. 

Here’s what I mean: say you’ve been writing your screenplay for months and now you’re working on the 5th draft and it’s time to start all over again.

You don’t want to lose all the work that you’ve already done so instead of starting from scratch, you decide to make a copy of your 4th draft as your new 5th draft.

This way, when you start working on your new 5th draft, it will only contain the changes that have been made since your 4th draft.

A script version is a specially formatted text file that contains all the dialogue, action, and sound effects of a video game. It is used as a reference for people who are working on the game’s development, such as translators, testers, and programmers.

A game will often have multiple script versions for different languages and regions. The first step in creating a script version is to export the script data from a game in its native format.

Then the files are imported into a specialized tool called a text editor.

The editor allows you to edit the contents of the script files while also helping you identify and fix problems with them.

How To Add Watermarks To A Script

Adding a watermark is a great way to protect your work from being stolen.

Tutorial:

Open up the Title page in your script. Find the “Title Page” layer and select it by clicking on it in the Layers panel (see image).

1. Click and hold down the “Add a Layer Style” button at the bottom of the Layers panel and choose “Distort”; then choose “Ripple.”A new layer should be created below the Title Page layer named “Layer 1.”

2. Rename this layer to “Watermark.”

3. Change the Blend Mode of this new layer to “Screen”. Now when you look at your Title Page, you should see white text on a black background (see image).

4. This will be your watermark. Go back to your Layers panel, and click once on your original Title Page layer (the one above Watermark).

5. This will ensure  any changes you make from here on apply only to this Title Page layer.

   

Select Filters>Noise>HSV Noise…and apply Adding watermarks to your script can be a good idea if you want to protect the integrity of your work.

6. There are many ways to add watermarks, including doing it yourself with scripts that you find online. However, this is not always the easiest way and you may end up making mistakes or adding inappropriate content.

The best advice for adding watermarks to your script is to get a professional in the field to do it for you. These professionals understand copyright laws and know how to add watermarks correctly.