Top Ten Screenplay Essentials
There
are many parts to building a screenplay. It's a mistake to think you just sit
down and write one. A screenplay, like an automobile, has many components, and
they must be arranged and fastened in the right places. There are thousands of
parts to a car, as is the case with the construction of a screenplay. However,
all of those thousands come from these ten major building blocks. Take care of
these ten screenplay essentials, and you will - without a doubt - end up with a
better script.
1.
Story and Character:
A
screenplay starts from a High Concept idea, from the development of an unforgettable character, or in the best case from both.
2.
Outline Before Writing:
Know
at least how the story ends,
begins, as well as the screenplay’s five
major plot points before writing the script.
3.
Three-Act Structure:
The
experts can debate sequences, but all agree the story is told in three
acts, with a turning-point to end Act I
and II.
4.
Original Voice:
Clear
and concise writing is key, keeping action description at four lines or less, but the action should
still sound original.
5.
Screenplay Form:
Professional
screenplay format is a must as well as correct page appearance: lots of white
space, no “I” pages, and block pages.
6.
“What happens next?”:
All
scenes must move the story forward, reveal character, or both. Any scene that does neither are not necessary and
should be cut.
7.
Short Scenes:
A
screenplay must move
fast, so three pages should be the
absolute maximum before you cut to a new location. Half a page is typical.
8.
Brief Dialogue:
Remember,
film is a visual medium. You show the story. Never tell it through verbal storytelling. Keep lines of dialogue short.
9.
Under 120 pages:
One
script page equals one film minute, so a drama is about two hours (120 pages);
a comedy is closer to 90 minutes (90 pages).
10.
Know the Logline:
In
one sentence, you must be able to pitch “what the story is about,” and make a
comparison to other successful Hollywood films....
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