Tutorial - Script Writing

For February, I've decided to share my writing process for the ML Office AU! I'm not sure if this counts as a tutorial, but I'll try to convey how I work. Please note that this post includes spoilers for the opening of the Allegra Arc (not the whole thing, mainly just part 1)!

So, the entire process took me 2 full working days - this included brainstorming, outlining, script writing, editing, and preparing the scripts for the voice actors. Past arcs have taken me less time to prepare, but this one was significantly longer (3,571 words compared to 1,833 words for the second arc). I do everything in Google Docs.

At this point, I already have a timeline of events for the entire series (which I made several months back). This list includes big plot points for each arc, almost like short summaries of what needs to happen. I'm not going to share the 4th arc's summary because spoilers, but here's what arc 3 looked like:

As you can see, there's a bit in there about Marinette noticing Allegra's behavior towards her. When I sat down to write the script, this bit didn't really fit anywhere so I cut it. I wanted to set up for arc 4, but decided that it would mess up the flow of things.

While I was wrapping up on arc 3, I started to change gears to prepare for work on arc 4 and randomly a thought struck me. When I get these weird bursts of inspirations for the script, I usually write them down in a notebook or use Google Keep if I don't have one available. I then transfer it to my Google Doc and this is what I came up with for the opening:

This is how my brain works ahaha xD Little bits of events that lead into each other (hence the >>). A lot of the times I get these ideas that aren't fleshed out, but I love them so I make them work. At this point though, I was finding it difficult to outline this way because there were too many specifics and I needed to flesh out the entire arc before getting into the details, so I changed tactics to...whatever this is:

A lot of this stuff isn't super understandable, but as long as I know what I'm talking about, it's all good lmao. The entire arc's outline is written like this, and it came out to 409 words. 71 of these words didn't make the final cut - if those scenes did, this thing would have ended up being like...20 parts instead of 14 😬. Plus, as I was writing the actual script, I didn't feel the need for those parts anymore.

At this point, with the full outline complete, I start working on the actual script. Sometimes, I'll put placeholders for parts to go back to if I can't figure things out at that moment. It helps to skip around because it doesn't stop the flow of creativity and I have things to connect to when I go back and write previous bits. For example, I left most of Part 5 unwritten since I didn't know what kind of conversation I wanted Marinette and Felix to have. In Part 9, I have Felix say, "I did say it was a stretch" to Marinette, even though he didn't actually say that anywhere previously. When I went back to write Part 5, I added this line in to keep things consistent - so sometimes it helps to skip things and go back!

This is what the first part of arc 4 ended up becoming after edits:

Once the entire script is finished, I set it aside and do other things. I find it helps to go into the editing stage with fresh eyes, so for me I finished writing Monday night and picked it back up on Tuesday to edit. I typically look for continuity, whether everything feels like it's necessary, and if I can change the dialogue to flow better. I'll cut, add, and change things in this phase until I feel the script is finished and ready to be recorded.

Editing doesn't take me a full working day, but cutting up the script and adding notes for each VA took up the rest of my Tuesday. Here's what I sent to Marinette's VA:

Aaaaand here's what I sent to Felix's VA:

For reference, RED words are directions, BLACK words are the VA's dialogue, and BLUE words are everything else included for context. Note that I didn't include Felix's interview in Marinette's script because it has nothing to do with her. I have also added certain words in bold italics to show where the emphasis needs to be.

My scripts don't look like industry standard scripts lmao, actual scripts look like this:

I find it easier to work the way that I do because I try to cut things up by scenes and dialogue, plus I can read the directions easier (and I'm too lazy to format to the above xD ). So, if you really want to be a screenwriter or just write your own script for something, I wouldn't recommend my method of finalizing a script - but maybe it'll help your writing process?

So that's it! Thanks for reading and if you have any questions, feel free to comment below and I'll get back to you!