GUEST EDITORIAL: How to Write a Powerful Film Proposal?

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How to Write a Powerful Film Proposal?

by Jessica Fender

If you have just graduated from film school or are an aspiring scriptwriter, one of your major ambitions is to get your story on the big screen. It requires a lot of dedication and commitment to be able to do that. Each scriptwriter has their own way of storytelling. Every script is unique so each of them also has access to different film producers depending on their requirements. 

Just like when applying for a job, to make sure that your resume is up-to-date for a film proposal to be accepted, you need to take care of the meticulous details. Here are some of the things you should think of while writing a film proposal.

Identify the audience

The first and the most important thing to get your script approved is to identify who the film is for. Identifying your audience ensures that the film has to offer value. Each genre of film has a different audience. Every audience expects a different kind of storyline and theme.

Know the script

This can be better put out as having your script memorized. Before a production company could approve your film, they need to have a good idea of what your film is about and the idea behind your film. You can take inspiration from other movies in the same genre. Every genre is different and requires different skills. A business movie plot will be very different from a romantic movie. Make sure you know how to differentiate them.

Just like any other career essay for a job position, your script will decide whether it is going to make it to the big screen or not. So, make sure you know the script by heart. Production companies listen to many pitches, so they know when a script is written half-heartedly. Your hard work should be evident in your script if you have put in the right time and effort into writing it.

Begin with a synopsis

A synopsis is one of the integral parts of a film proposal. A synopsis tells your audience what to expect from your film proposal. It should be unique and attention-grabbing but should not give away too much of the film plot. It should just motivate the audience to keep listening to your proposal further. With the synopsis, you can tap into the audience’s imagination and keep them curious about what happens next.

Come up with an attention-grabbing logline

A logline is a short phrase that summarizes your entire film. You can be as creative with the logline as you can. Think about a creative logline, and you can pitch it to the production company. Think about how you could pitch your story to the company within 30 seconds or lesser. 

When evaluating film proposal production companies value the logline a lot. Since they have a lot of story plots available on a daily basis, they often assess the film plot by how catchy the logline is.

Explain your characters

The more evidence you have to support that your film is going to turn out great, the more production companies will be introducing it to the big screen. One of the ways to do it is to break down the descriptions of your characters. It is not a difficult task if you are invested in your script. 

Make sure that the characters are easily distinguishable from each other. Two or three lines in your description may be enough if you choose your words wisely.

Define your characters well

In order for your film to be approved the scope of your project should be good. To make a film you also need resources. A film company will often judge the resources for a film from your script. They often have their own contacts and extra characters available to facilitate you.

Make a small wish list for each character that demonstrates their profiles in a simple manner. Make sure you promote inclusivity in your characters and do not have unrealistic beauty standards. In a nutshell, you should get your vision across to your audience via your characters.

Choose the right pattern

Just like a professional essay has a general pattern to follow, you also have to follow a pattern while writing a script too. A film story consists of an introduction, climax, and resolution. You may get as creative as you like within these three acts however, try not to change this sequence for a good impression. These three parts often make your script easy to read for the production company. You do not always need a co-writer or an editor if you are dedicating the time and effort required by your script alone.

A script is often explained using storyboards. A storyboard tells the audience why you have written it a particular way. You also illustrate your story via a storyboard. If you keep some simple visual rules in mind you often do not need a professional illustrator to do this for you. The framing of your storyboard matters a lot too. It lays out the elements that are a necessary part of your script.

Elaborate what resources you need

As a scriptwriter, your job is not only to get the film written but also to elaborate on what resources will your film require. A production company needs a strong plot and a captivating idea within its budget. If you are going beyond the budget or expecting a huge number of resources in your film then your script has more chances of getting rejected.

Make sure your script is free of grammatical errors

Even if you have an amazing plot and a well-articulated storyline, your script may not get approved by production companies if it lacks the basic grammar and punctuation checks. A proofread script will have minimal errors. This also shows your audience how much effort you have put into writing the script.

You can always find assignment help online on aussiessay.org if you are not able to edit on your own. Make sure that the final product that reaches the production company is well edited and proofread.

Conclusion

Scriptwriting requires a lot of attention to detail and continuous improvement. Only then the script can make it to the big screen. Do not get demotivated if your first few experiences are not very good. They will eventually get approval. You have to keep working hard to hone your skills to be able to achieve your dream to get your story to the big screen.