Screenplay Writing Tips

Cheatsheet Content

1. Core Structure & Elements Logline: A one-sentence summary of your story, usually including protagonist, antagonist, inciting incident, and stakes. Synopsis: A 1-2 page summary of the entire plot, often used for pitching. Treatment: A detailed prose summary (10-30 pages) covering plot, characters, and key scenes, before writing the full script. Standard Format: Use industry-standard software (e.g., Final Draft, Celtx) to ensure correct formatting (margins, character names, scene headings). 2. Scene Headings (Sluglines) Format: INT./EXT. LOCATION - TIME OF DAY INT.: Interior scene. EXT.: Exterior scene. LOCATION: Specific place (e.g., KITCHEN, OFFICE, FOREST). TIME OF DAY: DAY, NIGHT, DAWN, DUSK. Be specific if important (e.g., LATER, CONTINUOUS). Example: INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY Sub-headers: For minor location changes within a scene, use a sub-header (e.g., A beat later... ) or simply new action lines. 3. Action Lines (Description) Show, Don't Tell: Describe what the audience SEES and HEARS. Avoid internal thoughts or emotions characters aren't expressing. Concise: Be brief and impactful. Every word counts. Present Tense: Always write in the present tense. Active Voice: Use strong verbs. Sensory Details: Engage sight, sound, and occasionally smell. Character Introduction: When a character first appears, capitalize their name and briefly describe them (age, key physical traits). Example: A grizzled DETECTIVE (40s, tired eyes) sips cold coffee. He stares at the crime scene photos. 4. Dialogue Purpose: Advance the plot. Reveal character. Expose conflict. Provide exposition (sparingly). Authenticity: Make sure each character's dialogue sounds unique to them. Avoid generic voices. Subtext: What's *really* being said or felt underneath the words? Economy: Cut unnecessary words. People rarely speak in perfect sentences. Parentheticals: Use sparingly. They indicate a character's tone, action, or attitude, but only when essential and not obvious from the dialogue or action. Example: JANE (annoyed) I told you not to do that. Voice Over (V.O.): Character speaks but isn't physically present in the scene. Off-Screen (O.S.): Character speaks from off-camera, but is physically present in the scene. 5. Character Development Goals: What does your character want? (External and Internal) Obstacles: What stands in their way? Stakes: What do they lose if they fail? What do they gain if they succeed? Arc: How does the character change or grow throughout the story? Flaws: Give characters imperfections to make them relatable and create conflict. 6. Plotting & Pacing Three-Act Structure: Act I (Setup): Inciting Incident: Kicks off the main plot. Call to Adventure: Protagonist is challenged. Act II (Confrontation): Rising action, complications, stakes increase. Midpoint: A significant turning point, often a false victory or defeat. All Is Lost: Lowest point for the protagonist. Act III (Resolution): Climax: Final confrontation, highest stakes. Resolution: Tying up loose ends, new normal. Pacing: Vary scene length and intensity. Build tension. Set-ups & Pay-offs: Introduce elements early that become important later. 7. General Tips Read Screenplays: Study scripts of films you admire. See how professional writers do it. Watch Films Critically: Analyze structure, character, dialogue, and pacing. Outline: Plan your story before writing. Index cards or beat sheets can be useful. Drafting: Get the story down first. Don't aim for perfection in the first draft. Rewriting: This is where the real work happens. Be ruthless. Cut anything that doesn't serve the story. Feedback: Share your script with trusted readers and be open to constructive criticism. Page Count: Aim for roughly 90-120 pages for a feature film (1 page $\approx$ 1 minute of screen time). Visual Storytelling: Always think visually. How can you convey information or emotion without dialogue?