Writing Screenplays

 

There are several elements to writing a good screenplay.

Character:

Dialogue

Action

Desires

Plot:

Story line

Structure

Conflict

Setting:

Description

Time

Place

 

When thinking about screenwriting, it is important to understand that screenplays, or scripts, are the written part of a visual medium. When you write a script, you should only include things that can be seen.

For instance, in a novel or short story, you may write:

Julia stood by the dock and remembered the way her grandmother used to tie back her hair when the ocean breeze got too strong.

In a screenplay, you would write:

Julia stands by the dock. The breeze whips her hair around her face. She smiles as she ties it back with an old scarf.

Notice the verb tense in the screenplay section. Scripts are always written in present tense. The temptation when writing in present tense might be to write using a passive voice with words such as “is” or “are,” but because screenplays are meant to be active and part of a visual story, active verbs should be used as often as possible.

Writing a screenplay:

When writing about character, first think about what your character wants out of the story. Why are we watching this person? Why should we care what happens to them? Why should we care whether or not they reach their goals?

In thinking about these questions, you can find characteristics that you and other people can relate to. For instance, you can give your main character (protagonist) a hobby that they really enjoy. Most people like to watch characters who have a passion for something outside of themselves.

Also, you can give them a goal or desire that people can relate to, such as saving a child, getting a good grade, or winning a race.

However, when you have a good protagonist, you also need a good antagonist. The antagonist is stopping your main character from getting what they want. Sometimes the antagonist is a typical bad guy, but he or she can also be someone who just wants something different from the protagonist, such as a parent or a teacher.

This brings us to story. In the beginning of your story, your protagonist should want something. In the second part of the story, your antagonist should stop them. In the third part of the story, your protagonist should either figure out a new way to get what he or she wants, or should fail, but learn something new about himself or herself in the process.

Put your story in a place and time that makes sense and you'll have the beginning of a great script.

ACTIVITY

WRITE

Write a three to five page screenplay. In it, be sure to have a character who wants something and another character who is trying to stop them. Make sure to use dialogue that takes into account the age and lifestyle of your characters.

REVISE

Revise your screenplay for word choice, spelling, and punctuation.

PUBLISH

Have other people read the different parts of your screenplay aloud.