Needing help on script-writing!

[Marinta]

I'm a beginner at the whole 'making a webcomic - posting it online' in general, and I somehow made it through the character development stages, and how the pilot is going to flow; I'm just stuck on script-writing.

So, my question is: How can a beginner write a script that will make sense - even after weeks/months passed? Or, how can you just write a script in general?

[SuperBiasedMan]

I've written a potentially helpful tutorial before that would provide some light reading.

If you feel up to it, there's a book by Robert McKee called 'Story', it's about script writing for films but applies broadly to narrative and is very helpful for understanding the whole process.

[Gibson Twist]

I'm not entirely clear on where you need help. Are you just asking how someone writes a script, or are there specific areas that are problematic? The physical act of scripting is probably the easiest to do. Is it the action that is giving you trouble? Choreographing the panels/pages? I can probably help you if you can be more specific about what's tripping you up.

[Marinta]

I'm not entirely clear on where you need help. Are you just asking how someone writes a script, or are there specific areas that are problematic? The physical act of scripting is probably the easiest to do. Is it the action that is giving you trouble? Choreographing the panels/pages? I can probably help you if you can be more specific about what's tripping you up.

I believe it's handling the panels/pages, and actually sitting down and writing it. Most of the time when I try to do either of them, I just stare at the page and do nothing, or I get frustrated at the fact that this should be way easier then what it's actually happening.

[Gibson Twist]

I'm still not 100% sure if I understand, but if I do understand, this is the best advice I can give you. First thing, make sure you have at least the basic storyline written out in longhand. If there is certain dialogue you know you want, write that out too and put it more or less where in the story you want it to go. You can even get adventurous and write out the whole thing with just actions, descriptions and dialogue without breaking it up into panels and pages. It's much easier to make the panels and pages if you can break up the material that exists instead of trying to craft it a panel at a time. It's easier to know how to get where you're going when you know where you're going. Find the first panel, find the last panel, it's much simpler to find the panels in between them.

John wakes up. John gets out of bed. John walks into the bathroom. John gets into the shower.

John - I hate Mondays.

In script form, this could be several panels, or just a couple. This could be an entire page, perhaps even more, depending on how you break it up later and how you want the story to read. I couldn't possibly tell you how best to break it up, that's all down to personal choices as a writer, and how you want the individual story to flow. Sometimes it works to drag it out, sometimes you want it move more quickly. Figure out the essence of what you want the work to say, then say it. Sounds really oversimplified, I know, but a lot of writing is just that...you fill in your own blanks. It's like Lego, you use the pieces you need to use to make what you want, you cast away the rest, and the only thing that decides which is your own vision. Later, find an editor (someone you trust to tell you the truth without being overly nitpicky, preferably someone who knows how to tell a story themselves) to help you figure out how to refine it.

Try doing something called thumbnails. Thumbnails are small, sketchy versions of the comic page. Do as many as you need to do to get the visuals straight while getting across the information you need to get across. Don't worry about the art being good, don't worry about details, all you need to worry about is basic figures and objects, blocking, where your word balloons will go (if any) and what words will be in them. A lot of artists who have trouble making their own scripts do this, and a lot of writers do it to help them get a visual feel for how to describe the script.

If you've done this already or if it doesn't help and you still have the same trouble, then I'm not sure what else to tell you. Like I say, I might not understand exactly what is the problem, or you might just not be very good at storytelling and may want to consider finding a writer with whom you can work.

[Rivana]

I am not and expert but, like you, I am also new to this whole webcomic thing. A quick advice I can give you is this:

Divide and Conquer.

1. Make a plot outline. This doesn't have to be detailed but it's basically a loose description of events as they happen in your story.

2. Next will be the detailed script

3. paneling based on your script.

4. Make the comic page

Example of what I did:

Here's an excerpt from my original plot outline:

1. Novan - name of the 'world'
Odilon - faction1 (wants to preserve the 'old' ways)
Eltheros - faction2 (rebel nation)

2. Rumors of portal/rift to Eon appearing at Odilon terrirtoy

3. Anton, alarmed by the news formed a small secret group to investigate. Handpicks individuals whom he think are able to the task . This is a secret mission and Anton wants to make sure that their activities would not seem to tie up to him in the view of Odilon and his subordinates.

3.1 Vale - A former leader of a mercenary group that worked with Eltheros but failed his last mission. He was chosen to lead the portal recon group due to his prior experience. Vale was given the chance to avenge his fallen comrades and/or redeem his name in the eyes of Eltheros.

<plot continues obviously but I won't spoil what happens next lol>

Detailed Script:

Vale sitting on a chair in deep thought right outside Anton's 'office',

Vale's thoughts: It's my fault, and now I'm paying for it . . .

suddenly a soldier called him. " "His highness will see you now. Conduct yourself appropriately."

-Vale enters a room seeing Anton looking outside a big elaborate window overlooking most of Eltheros.

V: You called for me?

A: *still not looking at Vale* I have a new mission for you.

V: *flatly* Sorry, not interested. *turns around to leave*

A: *turns to face Vale* Don't you owe your men a favor after they died defending this nation?

V: What do you wish me to do?

A: Rumors of a strange portal in Odilon have surfaced. The details are in the briefing. *hands him a piece of paper* You are set to meet with a few others. Be discreet. If the rumors turn out to be untrue we don't want the unnecessary attention.

V: *looks puzzled* Why take the risk if there's a chance that this could be a hoax? Is there anything special about these portals?

A: Our ancestors originally came from these rifts. They stopped appearing many years ago and Odilon now concentrates its efforts on getting rid of us..'outlaws' off Novan.

V: I understand..but where did these portals lead to?

A: A world that was called Eon. It used to be Novan's prison realm where they exiled the evildoers of this world. Until things got out of hand. *smirks* So here we are. Do you not know anything about your own nation's history?

V: Well I-- *ignores the question* So, you're implying that we're criminals?

A: Absolutely not. There's no reason for us to pay for the sins of our ancestors.

Then Paneling (script may or may not change at this point but the idea is the same. I obviously changed the script a little in the finished product.

ANd here's the result:
http://eon.smackjeeves.com/comics/1188689/1/

Hope that helps even for a little bit.

[stripedwine]

Script writing for yourself should be just that-- do it the way that you can understand and write out best without getting frustrated because you're trying to format like a "pro" or something. But your post doesn't seem like you're having the most trouble with the writing format, but rather like you're asking for help with coming up with a story or turning ideas into an actual narrative?