Learn Script Language

Whether you are writing a movie, play, tv show or a graphic novel, there
are universal terms when writing a script. Below are some to help you
get started:

Close up: Full face of your character. Close ups help you design an
exciting page. Often they are pop images such as a close up of an eye,
mouth, object, etc.

Cut to: Transition from one scene to another. This helps your graphic
novel move rapidly. In the beginning of movies, as credits roll, there may
be many “cut to’s” to create the mood for the movie.

Establishing shot: General view of area. This usually sets the time,
place, and mood of your graphic novel. Many times the splash page is
the establishing shot.

Exterior (EXT): Outside view. After several “inside” panels of a room,
(even if you show your characters at different angles) the panels may
get monotonous. Once you’ve established who is saying what, then
showing an outside view will help break up the monotony. By using
balloons with pointers, your characters can be talking from a building,
house, or skyscraper for an exciting exterior view.

Flashback: Cuts to a story from a past storyline. It is important to
establish your character before he/she/it flashes back.

FX: (sound effects) POW! CRASH! BANG! KE-POW! POP! Sound effects
are great tools to use for action and to make something pop on your
page.

Interior (INT): Inside room, house, hallway, etc.

Long shot (LS): At a distance. It can be medium or extreme. When you
design your pages, you may be showing many long shots to create
movement on your page.

Over the shoulder: Camera is looking into the face of the other
character from the first character’s vantage.

Point of View (POV): A scene is seen from one character’s perspective.

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