How to write a script

How To Write A Script: 23 Steps to Write a Successful Script

If you want to learn how to write a spec script, you need to develop a deep understanding of the structure, format, and art of screenwriting before you begin.

1. Find inspiration:

Art is all about imitation, so use these tips to help you get inspired.

2. Read about screenwriting:

Learn as much as you can about the art of screenwriting from professionals. Consider reading these highly valuable screenwriting guides to help you hone your writing skills.

3. Make it extraordinary:

Find ways to make your work stand out from other screenplays by:

4. Identify a conflict or theme central to your story:

Consider events happening in the world around you or unifying concepts you’d like to explore as inspiration.

5. Select a film genre for your story:

You can also combine film genres to make something unique.

6. Pick a setting for your film:

Use your theme and genre to help guide your setting choices.

7. Create a dynamic protagonist:

The protagonist should have a central goal they want to achieve throughout the screenplay.

8. Build an oppositional antagonist:

This could be a person, idea, or event that keeps your protagonist from easily achieving their goal.

9. Write a logline that summarizes your idea:

This one- or two-sentence summary should clearly capture the main ideas in your script.

10. Create a story world:

Establishing the world in which your story exists is vital for writing an authentic and believable screenplay. Key elements include:

11. Make your concept or story more interesting:

If you’re having trouble breaking out of traditional script ideas, use these strategiesto help you add interest to your screenplay:

12. Outline your script:

When you create your screenplay outline, include specific details related to:

13. Establish interesting characters:

While things like hard work, luck, and dedication all play a part in writing a great script, pushing your imagination is the most important factor. Ask yourself these questions to help bring your characters to life:

14. Think outside of traditional character traits like “loyal” and “handsome.”

Look for unusual descriptors like:

15. Format your script:

Before you begin fleshing out your script idea, you should have a working knowledge of screenplay elements. The most common elements and transitions found in a screenplay include:

16. Create your first draft:

Write your script’s first draft by setting specific goals and deadlines, writing a predetermined number of pages per day, ensuring your dialogue sounds natural, and keeping your script around 90 to 120 pages.

17. Revise your script:

After you’ve written your first draft, take a break from it for a week or two to reset your mind. To write is to rewrite, so it’s vital that after your brief break from your screenplay, you come back to it.

18. Share your script with others:

Seek feedback from people you trust to help you refine your script. Ask them for notes on the concept, plot, setting, characters, and dialogue to help you refine all elements of the screenplay. Use professional consultants, like from Script Reader Pro, to get even more valuable feedback.

19. Rewrite:

Rewriting is a vital component of revision. Make changes and updates to clarify your story based on notes from trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors as well as your own thoughts.

20. Edit:

Look for and fix any grammatical or spelling errors as you see them during the revision process. Ensure your screenplay’s format is appropriate and matches the specifications of scripts.

21. Prepare your script for presentation:

Once your script is complete, prepare and bind it for presentation:

22. Use screenplay formatting software:

Using screenplay formatting software can save you an enormous amount of time when planning and writing.

23. Surround yourself with creatives:

Find a community that supports your dreams, like a film school.
Documentary screenwriting follows its own process since much of the script is created after filming occurs, which changes the order and manner in which you create the screenplay. For more information on writing a script for a documentary, check out this video.

With dedication, perseverance, and education, you can become an outstanding screenwriter. You can learn more about scriptwriting and how you can improve your skills by applying to the Nashville Film Institute here.

Script Writing: Everything You Need to Know

When script writing, your script, also known as a screenplay, should detail character dialogue, scene settings, and actions that take place throughout a film, TV show, or another visual story. Your screenplay should properly tell your film’s entire story from start to finish because it’s a blueprint of the plot and character development before the film comes to life on screen.

Quentin Tarantino explains his writing process:

How to Write a Script

Writing a script helps express your creativity and make a story come to life. It often takes time and dedication to craft well-rounded characters and a compelling plot. These steps can help you create a captivating script:

1. Read other scripts

Download a few scripts or screenplays to find examples of well-written dialogue, characters, and storylines and to learn what producers are looking for in terms of genre conventions and themes. It might help to take a few writing workshops to develop your skills or better understand how to craft a strong script.

As a writer, you want to consider the production probability of actually selling the script:

For story marketability, writers are typically encouraged not to follow market trends since by the time the script has been polished, the trend may no longer be popular.

In general, you should write what is interesting to you with a story that you are passionate about.

2. Build your world

Think about the location of your story. Detail your world well enough to help audience members vividly imagine it. Consider the genre of movie that you want to create. A few elements to consider in world-building are:

3. Develop your characters

Determine who your main character is and note their:

For other characters:

When building an antagonist, consider:

4. Organize your story with a synopsis

A film synopsis outlines the story in the order that your audience will view it. The stages of your story typically include:

5. Write your first draft

As you build your first draft, follow your synopsis, and start building your story.

Take risks while you write this first draft, and try to get your ideas out as best as you can. You can revisit these ideas later during your rewrite to see if they work well with your plot.

Consider writing a 1-2 sentence logline that summarizes the plot of your script so anyone can easily understand what the main ideas of your story are. Ex: the logline for A Quiet Place might be: “A family must live in dead silence so they can avoid monsters with incredible hearing abilities”

5.1. Formatting Elements to Include in a Script

Above is a great source from Writers Store that shows the basic formatting need in a script.

Many cinema production programs teach students how to properly format scripts so that filmmakers, actors, and production crew members can easily read it. Since production companies receive new scripts every day, they may disregard a script that’s not properly formatted.

You can either format the script yourself or use a scriptwriting software like Final Draft, WriterDuet, or Amazon Storywriter that automatically formats it for you. Here are some elements to include:

Here is more video detailing the basic elements to format a screenplay:

Length of a Script
There are many different types of scripts, so the length depends on what genre and visual storytelling project it’s for. As a general estimate, one page of a properly formatted script equals one minute of screen time. Many scriptwriters use 12-point Courier font for proper formatting and to more accurately estimate the length of the production.

Here are the typical length estimates for a variety of visual storytelling projects and genres:

6. Reread the first draft

Reread your script and cut any parts that seem irrelevant to the overall story. It can help to print the script out and highlight or mark sections to address in the rewrite. Make note of sections that have:

7. Rewrite your script

Scripts usually need a few revisions before you’re ready to send them to a potential buyer. Each action should push the story forward. Continue rewriting until you accomplish this. Make sure your rewrites are addressing:

Scriptwriting takes a significant amount of time, discipline, and motivation. By understanding what a strong script looks like and knowing how to outline your story properly, you can feel more confident in your ability to start and finish a strong script.

You can learn all skills related to film making by applying to the Nashville Film Institute here.

How to Write a Movie Script: Screenplay Format and Examples

U nderstanding how to write a movie script, also known as a screenplay, can seem daunting at first, but once you understand script format and structure you can then focus on your creativity.

We’ll take you through the process of writing a screenplay so that you can begin building that great movie idea into a professional script.

What Is A Screenplay

What exactly defines a screenplay?

A movie script, also known as a screenplay is a document that ranges anywhere from 70-180 pages. Most movie scripts come in around 110 pages, but there are a number of factors that play into the length.

Before we go too deep into page count, let’s talk about the things you really need to know so that you can get started on your script ASAP.

How To Format a Screenplay

What is standard screenplay format?

Screenplay format is relatively simple, but it’s one of those things that can seem a bit daunting until you’ve actually learned how to do it.

The basics of script formatting are as follows:

StudioBinder screenwriting software does all the required formating, so you can focus on the creative. Below is a formatted script example:

Script formatting breakdown in StudioBinder

Many scripts begin with a transition, which may include FADE IN: or BLACK SCREEN. Some place this in the top left, others in the top right of the page where many transitions live. Other scripts will begin with scene headings, or even subheadings of imagery they want to front load.

SCENE HEADING

The scene heading is there to help break up physical spaces and give the reader and production team an idea of the story’s geography.

You will either choose INT. for interior spaces or EXT. for exterior spaces. Then a description of the setting, and then the time of day.

Here’s a screenplay example:

Script format example in StudioBinder Screenplay Writing Software: Scene Heading

There are rare cases where the scene begins inside and goes outside, or vice versa, and in these situations you may write INT/EXT. or EXT/INT.

Some scripts take place all around the world, so often screenwriters will use multiple hyphens to give the scene headings even more detail:

Screenplay format example in StudioBinder Screenwriting App: Scene Heading Details

This helps the screenwriter avoid having to point out the geographical location in the action lines, saving space to write more about the actual story and keep readers engaged in the story… not the formatting.

SUBHEADING

Script formatting example in StudioBinder Sciptwriting Software: Scene Subheading

The reason many writers do this is to avoid the notion that we’ve entered an entirely new scene, though you could always include CONTINUOUS in place of DAY or NIGHT by creating an entirely new scene heading.

It’s a matter of personal style and rhythm vs. production considerations.

TRANSITIONS

In the bottom right of the page you will place transitions, but in modern screenwriting these seem to be used less and less. The transitions that seems to have really stood the test of time are CUT TO: and FADE OUT.

Here’s a screenplay example:

Screenplay formatting example in StudioBinder Sciptwriting Software: Scene Transition

You may also include something like DISSOLVE TO:, but these are used less and less, probably for the same reason you avoid camera shots.

CHARACTER INTRODUCTIONS

When you introduce a character in a screenplay, you want to use all-capital letters for the name of the character, then a reference to their age, and finally some information about their traits and personality.

Here’s a screenplay example:

Script format example in StudioBinder Scriptwriting Software: Character Introduction

Again, screenwriters have found other ways to do this, but this is the most common and production friendly way to introduce a character.

We have a post on how to introduce characters in a screenplay that goes into the creative considerations of introducing characters, so I highly recommend you check it out after this post to learn more.

ACTION

Action lines are where you describe the visual and audible actions that take place on screen. You want to write in third person in present tense.

Here’s a script example:

Script format example in StudioBinder Screenwriting Solution: Action Lines

Often, you can make your script a better read by eliminating redundant pronouns and conjunctions. Big sounds and important objects can be written out in ALL CAPS to emphasize their effect on the story.

DIALOGUE

Your lines of dialogue will be set underneath the character to which they are assigned. Dialogue is pretty straightforward from a formatting standpoint, but it is the most difficult part of screenwriting.

Script format example in StudioBinder Free Screenwriting App: Dialogue Lines

If you want to learn more, check out our post on 22 Screenwriting Tips for Writing Better Dialogue where I go over a bunch of ways to audit your screenplay for good… and bad dialogue.

EXTENSIONS

These occur when a character says something off-screen (O.S.), or if dialogue is voice-over (V.O.). You will see extensions when a character ends a block of dialogue, performs an action, and speaks more.

Here’s a script example:

Screenplay format example in StudioBinder Web-Based Scriptwriting Software: Extensions

This takes the form of continued (CONT’D). Professional script writing software will help you with this, but it will not be able to predict when you want something said off screen or in voice-over.

PARENTHETICAL

You can use a parenthetical inside your dialogue to show small actions, or even a change in mood without having to jump out to an action line.

Here’s a screenplay example:

Script format example in StudioBinder Free Script Writing Software: Parenthetical

Parentheticals are really good for directing actors, and adding sarcasm and nuance to performances on the page, but you may want to be cautious about adding them too much. Actors are professionals, and if Al Pacino finds parentheticals in a script, he may get his feelings hurt.

CAMERA SHOTS

The best professional screenwriters know how to suggest shots without actually writing in shots, but if you really insist on describing a particular shot in your screenplay you can format it like a subheading.

Here’s a script example

Script format example in StudioBinder Online Screenwriting Software: Camera Shot

This lets us know that the shot is supposed to be set so that we see things from Filbert’s perspective. Writing out shots is often frowned upon, but if you’re directing the film, maybe do it sparingly.

How To Write A Movie Script

Use proper script font & margins

The screenplay font used to write movie scripts is Courier 12pt.

Courier is used as the standard screenplay font because it creates a page to screen ratio of 1:1. Where one page of a script translates to one minute of screen time, so this is one area that really shouldn’t be modified.

Page margins for a professional movie script are 1” for the top, bottom, and right side margins. The left margin is 1.5” for punch hole space.

StudioBinder provides a completely FREE and unlimited screenwriting software, so you don’t have to be worried about script fonts and margins.

StudioBinder’s FREE Screenwriting Software

Because StudioBinder is cloud-based, you will be able to access your securely saved screenplay from any computer in the world. Our software helps you properly format, create versions, and automatically syncs to a number integrated production planning features.

Technology is there to make our lives easier, though I applaud you for having an interest in learning about professional screenplay font.

If there ever comes a time where screenwriting software is completely eliminated due to some sort of cataclysmic event, I think we’ll all have bigger concerns than understanding how to write a movie screenplay.

Now… let’s talk screenplay page count.

what is screenplay format

Consider your page count

How long should your movie script be?

It’s a difficult question because comedy scripts generally come in somewhere around 90 pages (1 hour + 30 mins) while action and drama scripts come in around 110 (1 hour + 50 mins).

It’s harmful to worry about this too much because what you really need is a script that is lean, mean, and compelling at every turn.

If you think your script is a bit thin, you may need to add a bit more, but every page you add means more money needed to produce the film.

If you write a great 80 page script, you may just have a screenplay that will both excite production teams, but also viewers with small bladders.

What Is A Script

Plan out script beats & story structure

Story structure is a much more difficult topic to nail down when compared to formatting, so buckle up. Many screenwriter, directors, and viewers find that classic story structure leads to formulaic moviemaking.

It totally does… and that’s why many movies are xeroxes of xeroxes.

So why is this still the best way to have your screenplay produced as well as a really helpful tool for writing your screenplays?

Production companies, studios, producers, and executives have poured years, and maybe even decades into learning the business of feature films, and the vast majority have used classic story structure.

Do screenwriters and directors all follow it perfectly? — No.

Do screenwriters and directors all understand structure? — Yes.

You have the Save The Cat Beat Sheet, Three Act Structure, The Hero’s Journey, The Story Circle — all of these are ways to make that great idea you have become a coherent story that emulates the human experience.

We all have highs, and we all have lows.

The true benefit of story structure is that it gives you a plan to build so that when you sit down to write you don’t just stare at the blank page.

It’s just a navigation map for your big roadtrip… one that producers and studios will want you to have so they can bank on your screenplay.

One of the non-negotiable support documents you want to create is a screenplay outline. This is where you can create your own roadmap, with all of the considerations you personally care about for your script.

Script outlines often present the scene page count, overall story beats, and the relationship each scene has with the other scenes in your script. If you’re trying to overcome writer’s block, a script outline will keep you focused and help you write your story.

How To Write A Screenplay

How long does it take to write a screenplay?

Many are curious how long it should take a screenwriter to write a movie script, and while it will always depend on a personal schedule you will be best served by setting up a rigid, professional writing schedule.

When professional screenwriters are given time to write a screenplay, they’re provided a time range between 1-3 months (30-90 days).

In the past, I’ve set my personal writing pace at 6-7 pages in an 8 hour day of writing, which roughly translates to about 15 days of writing.

If you’re truly focused on your script, planning out the structure, theme, characters, setting, and plot may take you a couple of weeks.

The short answer is that it should take around a month.

Some screenplays I wrote took 6 months… others took 2 weeks.

The time shrinks with each screenplay because you become more and more familiar with the overall process like any other craft or job.

Your inspiration and creative energy will only grow when you work on your projects and scripts, and it will only shrink when you don’t.

Movie Script Writing

Make a screenplay title page

The next step is to create your title page for your screenplay. This is a somewhat interesting, albeit brief topic of discussion. Part of this comes from the fact that screenwriter used to add personal info on the page.

This is still totally fine, but there are much better ways to make sure potentially interested parties have a way to contact you about your story that doesn’t require you to include your home address.

You shouldn’t be scared to put yourself and your work out there, but you should use technology to give yourself a smoother process like adding an email address designated to your writing so that personal emails don’t get mixed up with important screenwriting emails.

Sample Script

Other important screenwriting notes

There are some nuanced screenwriting practices that may seem correct, but can actually confuse or hinder the physical production.

One example is your time of day in your scene heading.

Professional screenplay software will give you about a half dozen options including MORNING and SUNSET. This is an ironic moment where screenwriters actually hurt productions with proper formatting.

These should generally be avoided unless the time of day is absolutely integral to the story because your script will import into production planning software and create stripboards that instruct the production to schedule the actual shoot times during a very small window of time.

Most morning and sunset scenes are filmed whenever and however a director and production team can figure out because planning your entire day of filming around 1-2 hours of available light is a great way to lose a lot of time, money, morale, and built up trust.

Even if you have a character who wakes up late for work, you really won’t need to use MORNING because that scene will most likely be filmed during the day, or may even be filmed on a soundstage with artificial lighting. What about the rules with action lines?

Screenwriters like Quentin Tarantino will sometimes include character motivations or aspects of the film that will not be shown on screen. Generally, this practice is frowned upon in screenwriting.

But he’s Tarantino… right?

The reason you don’t want to go too crazy with this is because it becomes a slippery slope where novice writers default to adding information the viewer can’t see or hear to the screenplay to give padding and context.

The truth is that writers should focus on building things we all get to see on screen, and not focus on motivation that isn’t apparent on screen. That’s also generally what character breakdowns are for, which you can include with your screenplay to producers, directors, and the actors.

Tell me if this sounds familiar.

You generally understand script formatting, but after reading a number of popular movie scripts you’ve actually become more confused.

When you read movie scripts and screenplays you quickly learn that many screenwriters play fast and loose even with script writing format, however, they all get pretty close and predominantly use their somewhat liberal interpretation of script writing format to help readers visualize the scenes in a way that keeps a good pace, flow, and rhythm.

“Why am I trying to learn and follow rules that may hinder my ability to tell a compelling story through the written word when the most successful writers and directors don’t seem to give two hoots?”

Really, two hoots? What is this… the 1950’s?

Point is, you’re right. Often the professional scripts we get to read are either early drafts or straight up spec scripts, which means they’ve written the scripts without an attached plan for production.

Now, if you want to learn how to write a script that will be used for actual production, also known as a shooting script, you might as well write your screenplays in a way that is totally production friendly.

Up Next

How to Become a Screenwriter

Now you understand how to write a movie script, make sure to take a look at How to Become a Paid Screenwriter. Our post is full of helpful lessons you can apply to your own professional screenwriting career.

How To Write a Script

Hundreds of full-length books have been written answering the question of «how do I write a script?»

To say that I could condense everything down into one blog post would be a lie. But, I can provide you a rough map to chart out the steps of writing a screenplay, with plenty of avenues and offshoots to explore at each stage.

You don’t have to follow these steps in order. In fact, I recommend you don’t, and that you follow these steps in the order that feels best to you. I do, however, believe that you will have to follow every step (at least once) to write a screenplay.

Overview:

This is all to say that this post doesn’t provide the way to write a screenplay, but it does provide a way to write a screenplay. Your way will be your own.

How to write a script

Before you can write a screenplay, you have to know how screenplays are written. Luckily, they follow relatively simple guidelines. Screenplays consist of two things: what the audience can see, and what the audience can hear. (You can check out this great article from Writers Store detailing what those pages look like, or this one from ScreenCraft that focuses on television scripts.)

There are exceptions to those rules, but I wouldn’t worry about them especially if you’re just starting. You are creating a written blueprint for a movie or tv show, which by nature are audiovisual mediums. So keep your screenplay to audiovisual writing.

The screenplay format has a bunch of technicalities that have developed over years to make it easy to track timing, identify actors, props, create a clear read, etc. In the 21st century, we don’t have to worry too much about the details behind the formatting, because we have screenplay software that does it for us. Our software of choice is Arc Studio Pro, but any modern software should make it easy to format. (If it isn’t easy, find a new one!)

Further reading

Action steps

Open up a screenwriting software (you can try Arc Studio Pro for free) and just play around with the formatting, making sure that you keep your writing only to things that can be seen or heard.

Take an idea, make a premise

Ideas are loose and scattered, while a premise indicates a story. So before you start writing too much, make sure that your idea is strong enough to be turned into a premise.

A toy that comes to life is an idea. A toy that comes to life and is threatened by a newer, shinier toy is a premise.

One way to think about a premise is that it includes an obstacle or a challenge, whereas an idea likely doesn’t. When you have a premise, you’re on to something that can be turned into a story.

Further reading

Action steps

Keep a notebook and write down all the ideas in and around your screenplay. Note which ones are ideas, and which ones are premises. Explore what can be done to turn your ideas into premises.

Find a theme

The theme of your screenplay is the thing that connects it to the audience. It might be called «the bridge of relatability.» The specifics of your story make it unique, but the theme of your story makes it universal.

A theme is more than just an idea or word. It is your opinion around that idea or word. «Family» is not a theme, but «Family is the most important thing in the world» is.

The main character of your screenplay will likely, by the end, reflect the theme. They will conduct themselves in a way that bears out the prevailing theme of your story.

Further reading

Action steps

Write a few statements that could be a theme for your story. Which one fits the best? As you continue to rewrite, revisit this exercise and make sure it still fits, as your story may change. Identifying the sharpest theme you’re exploring will point to opportunities to explore it further.

Clarify your protagonist

Most stories are driven by the main character. The screenplay should not be something that happens to them, but something they make happen. To do that, you must ensure that your main character has a want.

Definition: Want. This want is what drives the plot. It is a goal, and they take steps to get it. The steps that the protagonist takes to achieve this goal are the things that reveal their character.

Do they cheat, lie and steal? Or do they hustle, strive, and overcome?

Filling out your protagonist with the specific ways in which they operate within the world is what makes them unique. (And the specific plot points they encounter that take unique solutions to overcome shape them as well, but more on that later.)

A good main character will likely also have a need.

Definition: Need. This is something they may not be aware of and is likely a lesson that they must learn.

They will likely not achieve their want if they don’t learn the lesson that is their need.

Contradicting wants and needs is what can help make the main character complex and compelling.

For example, in The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy wants out of Kansas. She wants to be in a more exciting and fun place. By the end of the film, however, she realizes that she needs to be surrounded by her family and those she loves.

At the beginning of Star Wars Episode IV, Luke wants adventure. By the end of the story, he has realized that what he needs is trust (in himself, others, and also the force).

Further reading

Action steps

Think about your main character. Do they have a clear goal? And do they have clear room for growth? Making sure these two things are intrinsically connected will ensure a compelling character arc.

Nail down the structure

Arguably, the structure is the most technically important part of a screenplay. There are many different models for screenplay structure, just as there are many different architectural blueprints for different types of buildings.

When first starting, I recommend not trying to differentiate between which of these models is better than the other, but simply identify which one seems the easiest for you to follow and understand.

As you’re shaping your story, these structures will help you identify where the big turns are, and help you make those shifts in your story that take it from beginning to end.

The structure can help you see how scenes fit into sequences, and how sequences fit into acts.

You’ll also likely encounter the words beats, turns, pinch points, plot points, and all other sorts of vocabulary.

You don’t have to memorize these to write a screenplay, and there is no real agreement on what exactly they all mean.

Further reading

Action steps

Make sure your story can be broken down into distinct parts. Do those parts naturally fit into one of the many models of screenplay structure? If not, then your story may be like a run-on sentence, just going and going, but not really changing, and saying the same thing over, and over and over, again, and again, while your audience is waiting for a shift to get to the next thing.

Identify and/or create these shifts, creating a structure for your screenplay.

Complicate the plot

Now that you have a good view of your structure, it’s time to get a little messy with it. Following the models to a tee will have your story end up as the median average of all movies or shows.

Vary it up by extending certain sequences or truncating others. But don’t do that arbitrarily.

This is where you can forget about structure for a bit and have fun with the story and characters.

Try to get in the mindset of your characters, and «let them make their own choices» even if it seems to go against the structure or plot.

You’ll likely discover unique ways to get to where you’re going and now your story is starting to be more and more «you.»

Further reading

Action steps

Whether it’s an outline, treatment, or actual pages, abandon any plans and see if your characters can «break the plot.» Explore what happens if they do everything to avoid what you need them to do to move the story forward. This will present you with a) a true-to-life character, and b) options for obstacles in their way.

Write the scenes

To write a screenplay, you have to write a screenplay, and that means scenes. That is you have to detail every action and every line of dialogue from everyone that’s on screen.

My advice for scene writing is that before writing one, really make sure you know what each character in the scene wants. Try to identify it, focus on it, then turn everything off and just write actions that are them trying to get that thing (or avoid that thing if that’s their goal.)

Scene writing is hard, and most early pages do not seem like real life, and they don’t seem like the movies either. That’s okay. You will rewrite them later.

But right now you just have to trust that all that work on theme and structure and character is rolling around in your head while you’re focusing on writing a character trying to get what they want in this one moment in your story.

Further reading

Action steps

Write multiple versions of the same scene. Write one, and the next day, try to write the same scene again from scratch. Don’t look at the previous day’s work. You’ll be amazed at what sticks in your memory, and what doesn’t and it can be a great way to identify what is crucial, and what is not.

If you ever get stuck on what a character will do or say next, on a notepad next to your keyboard just write a list of all the things they won’t do or say. It can be a great way to discover the next beat in the scene.

Keep writing

If I had to rank these steps in order of importance, this would be at the top and everything else would be tied for last. Figuring out how to keep your engines going on good days and bad days is crucial, and being able to show up consistently is the key to good writing.

Forming good writing habits means looking at how you feel when you create and structure your routines around writing in a way that supports you. Some people do small daily sessions, while others have one or two days a week that they completely dedicate to writing.

Assessing yourself and your needs is the key to discovering the best practices.

Feel free to get lost for a bit in optimization techniques and productivity hacks, but don’t spend too much time there. Listen to your mind and your body, and balance your time accordingly. Celebrate the time you spend writing and not the quality of the output. That will come if you just keep writing.

Further reading

Action steps

Track your writing habits and track your mood and feelings. See if you can spot any correlations, and then make small adjustments until you find a schedule, rhythm, and routine that works for you. If after a while that starts to feel stale, mix it up, and try something new, but always listen to your gut (so long as it’s not the part of the gut that wants to procrastinate.)

Get it read

A screenplay isn’t designed to be kept in a folder on your computer. You have to get it out into the world, and that means getting it to read.

Starting, this likely means reads from peers, which can be found in local or online communities. You may even be able to join or start a writing group that meets weekly to trade pages and feedback.

When you get feedback, the key is to stay open. Even if a reader’s reaction or opinion seems way off, you can always look to learn from it. And a reader’s solution may not be the best either, but seeking to understand why that’s what they’re pitching can help you see the best solution for your story.

Further reading

Action steps

Find a group of readers for your work, whether it’s a local or online community. Get your screenplay out to a few people, and be open to their reactions and thoughts.

Keep writing, again

It’s cliche because it’s true, but «writing is rewriting.»

Rewrites are where good stories become great.

This is where you take the feedback you’ve received and make changes. Some may be small, but others may be big. Don’t let the size of changes that make your story better keep you from making them.

I’ve heard rewrites sometimes described as breaking a bone that needs to be reset. It can hurt and feels like you’re moving backward, but it’s the only way to go forward in the long run.

One thing that’s worth keeping in mind is identifying whether issues are «script problems» or «story problems.» To me, script problems are places where the intent was right on, but something in the writing wasn’t getting through to the reader. It just needs to be clarified. Story problems are choices that are made that fundamentally do not work with what you’re trying to accomplish in your story. (Another way to think about these may be technical choices vs artistic choices.)

Identifying which is which in your script is half the battle in solving them.

Further reading

Action steps

Create a list of things to accomplish in your rewrite and seek to address each one individually. Don’t rewrite page by page, but rather problem by problem.

Do it all again

This is a very simplified roadmap of how to write one, and no matter how much you read about it, it’s always easier said than done. But these steps outline the broad steps of what you need to write a screenplay.

And if you followed them all, and you did it, and you haven’t lost your mind, then go ahead and start the next one. It’s gotta be easier than that first one, right?

Breakdowns

Level-up your screenwriting software

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How to Write a Script – (Pictures and Examples Included)

What is a script? How long does it need to be, and most importantly, how to write a script are some commonly asked questions amongst new, up and coming scriptwriters.

A useful measure of your script’s length is the same way most writers and producers calculate your script length – one page of your screenplay equating to one minute of the film on screen. Simple, right?

Writing a script can take as long as you want it to but, assuming this is a part-time project to be done while balancing other commitments, allocating 12 weeks of work should be enough time to complete a solid first draft.

I should mention before going forward, if you haven’t yet, you should try using a free scriptwriting software like Celtx. This will automatically format your script in Hollywood style format, which is considered industry standard.

But anyways, the possible sources of inspiration for your script are endless. You could base your story from your own life, a book you read, a play you saw or a wild dream you just had. At this stage, before getting into writing your script, you have complete creative license and agency, the creative origin point of this entire project.

Typically, later down the line, scripts will be revised, partly rewritten, and tweaked to accommodate the needs of directors, producers, and the studio’s needs. But, right now, you’re in the creative driver’s seat!

If you’re feeling a little uninspired on the creative direction of your script, then a great trick is to take notes on the go of the interesting conversations, news articles, and people you encounter. This can be as simple as taking notes on your phone or a notepad.

Don’t worry about finding a blockbuster-worthy moment straight away; often the best insights and creativity are found in day-to-day encounters. Keep an eye out, take note, and switch on your creative antenna in the process.

Ready to dive deeper into all of the points we’ve mentioned above to learn how to write a good script? Join this creative expedition that outlines all you need to know about writing your very first script.

Do Some Homework and Play to Your Strengths

Write to your strengths. Like any new craft, scriptwriting will come with some fresh creative lessons. Through the process of your first script, you will learn how to build a script from an infant idea to a finished product, all while becoming familiar with the formatting and terminology along the way. Therefore, for your first script, writing to your strengths is a great place to start.

What are you already good at? What do you already have a natural strength or interest in? Is there an area of work or the world that you know well? These questions are not designed to find any expert-level knowledge, they’re designed to probe what your strengths are.

You may be the comic of your group of friends, so try starting with a comedy. Perhaps you are the family historian, so a historic film or one with investigative themes may come more easily to your skillset.

Another way to approach writing to your strengths is to set the film in a place you are very familiar with, such as your hometown or country. Also, if you are not sure of your strengths, why not ask the people around you for some help?

Through conversations with others, you may realize areas of your life that you are passionate to discuss, whether it’s about your childhood, sport, social injustices, work, or family life.

Try to Read Some Scripts

Many of our most beloved films have their original scripts available online and are easily accessible for us to read and analyze. Try to find even two or three film scripts online for stories you are already familiar with and give them a read.

This is an enjoyable exercise, and chances are you will be amazed to read how such memorable scenes and movies were once first sketched out in words. You may even be surprised to see how stripped back the visual notes and script cues are that created these entire visual worlds on screen.

Your script should emulate this neat, efficient writing style when you are translating ideas for visuals into words.

And reflect on why you like them or why they’re bad. This is one of the best (and most fun) ways to learn how to write a script.

Take note of details you appreciated and try injecting similar elements into your own work. We can all easily sit back and enjoy our favorite films, but consciously analyzing the films we enjoy and taking notes of what elements work is helpful for getting our own scriptwriting and creative hats on.

If you’re not sure how to start picking apart your favorite films, take down notes for each of these categories: sound, dialogue, setting, character, editing, and lighting. These are some of the key script elements which create the mood and atmosphere on screen, so picking apart what you found effective will certainly inform your own script.

Unlike great movies where all the elements flow and work together seamlessly, bad movies make their separate elements easy to spot and analyze. For example, The Room (2003) is a cult-hit “bad movie” which will help you see how key film elements, such as editing and dialogue, are disjointed.

If watching a great movie is eating an amazing meal at a restaurant, then watching a bad movie is more like stepping behind the scenes and into the chaotic kitchen.

Also, if you already have an idea for a film, do a little research into this genre. You may find more creative inspiration and wisdom in what the existing genre is doing and, perhaps, how your film could be a fresh take on an angle currently missing in the genre.

How to Write a Script From a Single Sentence

You have an awesome idea, and you know what you want to do with your characters, but are you still wondering how your script will actually get written? This is a great place to be. Before cannonballing into the deep end, take these steps to thoughtfully build up your script like a screenwriting pro.

The first essential step is to write your script’s logline, also sometimes known as a “slugline.” This logline should be no longer than two sentences or about 50 words in length. Your logline should capture your script’s main obstacles or action into a single-sentence nutshell.

Of course your entire script cannot be boiled down into one line, but loglines are not designed to be comprehensive and fit your entire story in; they should describe the thrust of action facing your characters and hook the reader’s attention into reading the rest of your script.

The logline tends to focus on the central character’s mission and contextualizes them in the place they are starting. The logline for documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbour (2019), about the life of TV personality Mister Fred Rodgers reads, “A portrait of a man whom we all think we know, this emotional and moving film takes us beyond the zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe, and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.”

You will notice an effective logline gives us a flavor of the story, a hint at the narrative but continues to leave readers seeking more information and depth. Your logline will be an excellent summary to keep on hand while writing your final script because it anchors your narrative and reminds you of your initial storytelling goals. Think of it as your storytelling mission statement.

Developing a Beat Sheet and Treatment

The next key step in learning how to write a script is to make a beat sheet and treatment for your script. You can make your beat sheet and treatment documents in either order, depending on your own preference.

Your beat sheet is essentially a bullet-pointed skeletal version of your script. From beginning, middle to end, all the key moments are jotted down in chronological order. Each “beat” is a sentence or two long and simply states the action taking place.

For example, “Hannah arrives at work and realizes her car is missing”. Again, it is useful in this stage to avoid overly floral and descriptive language so that the action is really laid bare. It’s very common during this stage to identify gaps in your narrative, which is exactly why this exercise is so important.

Suddenly you may find yourself with some creative gap-filling and work to do, and that’s great. This is the ideal time for you to spot untethered parts of your story and fix them into place. There are two common and constructive methods for crafting a beat sheet: using a Word document to bullet point these action beats or using index cards with a sentence on each and ordering and reordering them as needed.

If running through your script in chronological order is proving too difficult for now, try starting at the end or the middle and working backwards. Most scripts are structured in a tripartite way, meaning you will have one third dedicated to the beginning, a middle third with a focus on the action, and the last third for the dramatic final act.

This storytelling structure follows a “set-up, confrontation, and resolution” approach. Splitting-up your bullet points over three pages, with approximately 30 points on each, will be roughly enough beats for a 90-minute movie. Whether you have a bullet pointed list or ordered index cards on a board, your finalized beat sheet should make it clear how your script’s action unfolds from beginning to end.

Next, with your logline and beat sheet completed, it is time to write your script’s treatment. This is a 3 to 5 page document which uses descriptive language and brings your lean beat sheet into a short story format which more vividly brings your story and characters to life.

This is the perfect opportunity to highlight your character profiles in detail by describing their characteristics and motivations. A script treatment is often used as a kind of marketing tool which would accompany your script when being sent to potential buyers or producers, therefore it is important to have a strong treatment which actively portrays the themes, visuals, and overall tone of your script.

Writing your treatment is like writing a descriptive and polished blurb for your film.

Now, it is time to open your scriptwriting software, jump to the first page, set yourself a realistic deadline for completing this script and get writing. Start by writing your script’s title page – this includes the film’s title, your name and contact email on the title page, and then get into the script!

Familiarize Yourself With Scriptwriting Language

It’s essential to familiarize yourself with scriptwriting language before writing your script.

Most screenplays are considered to be a “spec script”, as a short way of saying “speculative script.” Later in the creative process your script would need to be iterated by directors and producers into a “shooting script” to get the script camera ready.

A shooting script contains more detail for editing purposes and camera angles for the purposes of filming, which directors will infuse based on their own visions. Remember, while you are writing your ‘spec script’, you do not need to include details on camera angles or how scenes will transition at this stage. Stick to the story.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to learn a whole new scriptwriting language to write. However, there are a handful of terms which you should learn because you’ll employ them constantly while writing. By starting your screenplay with a baseline familiarity or, better yet, a firm grasp of these terms, then your work will flow more easily.

These terms are the fundamental building blocks of scriptwriting language and will come up in every script you read or write!

With all these scriptwriting phrases and abbreviations under your belt, you’ll find it easier to write and make sense of the scriptwriting software you decide to use. Almost all scriptwriting software today intuitively formats your script out for you – meaning it will add details like parentheticals and formatting conventions like capitalized scene headings wherever appropriate, which makes your life easier and script better.

Conclusion

Like any new challenge or project, there will be ebbs and flows of inspiration and willingness to see your screenplay through to the end. It’s useful to anticipate difficult moments where you feel at a loss as to how to continue and finish this massive endeavor.

That’s ok! And what every writer on the planet experiences regularly. If you prepare for moments of “writers’ block,” then you’re better preparing yourself for successfully overcoming that hurdle.

Also, if you hit a writers’ block then you’re in good company as countless notable scriptwriters experience this too. Recently Taika Waititi reassured an audience that opening your laptop, staring at a blank document, feeling sad, and then closing your laptop is “still classified as writing”.

Writing an amazing script will require constant dedication – be patient with yourself and stick at it!

Author

Andrew Stamm is based in London with his wife and dog. He spends his working time as Partner and Creative Director at Estes Media, a budding digital marketing agency, and performs freelance scriptwriting services on the side. Off the clock he loves to bake, hike, and watch as many niche films as possible.