So you’ve watched countless movies, and in your heart of hearts you dream of crafting a narrative for the big screen. But you’re asking yourself – how do I write a screenplay? Make no mistake – mastering the craft of screenwriting can be a daunting task for a beginner, but as with any craft, there are rules and practices that can be mastered, and which will give you the fundamental skills that you need to get in the game.

Before diving into writing a screenplay, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the language and fundamentals of screenwriting.

The very first thing you should do is study the three-act structure, which consists of the setup, confrontation, and resolution in a story. This structure provides a blueprint for your story’s progression, helping you maintain a cohesive narrative flow and build narrative tension. So what’s narrative tension? It’s the very essence of a screenplay! There should be no moment where the audience is reading or watching your film without asking themselves what is going to happen next – whether they wonder what a character will choose to do, whether an obstacle will be overcome, whether a promise is true or false, or any number of other questions large and small. If there is no question in mind, there is no drama.

The three-act structure is a narrative model that divides stories into three parts — Act One, Act Two, and Act Three, or rather, a beginning, middle, and end. There are some famous moments in a 3 act structure that most movies have unless they are very experimental. The inciting incident is a pivotal moment in the Three-Act Structure that occurs early in Act One. It serves as the catalyst for the entire story, disrupting the protagonist’s ordinary world and setting them on a new path. It’s when E.T. and Elliot first meet, or when Jodie Foster hears the first signal in Contact.

The midpoint is a major plot point around the middle of the film which has big ramifications. Often, it marks the point of no return for the protagonist. It’s where they realize that they can’t go back to their old life or way of behaving, and must continue forward on their journey. In The Godfather, it’s where Michael Corleone kills Sollozzo and McCluskey in the restaurant. In the first Harry Potter movie it’s where Harry and gang discover the Philosopher’s Stone is hidden in Hogwarts and someone is trying to steal it.

The low point of a movie is where the protagonist hits rock bottom. They’ve seemingly lost everything, and are at their lowest ebb. In Star Wars V it’s where Luke realizes Darth Vader is his father. Once the hero has rallied and mustered the strength to carry on, they enter a period of rising action, where they face further obstacles and challenges that build tension and suspense leading up to the film’s climax. In North By Northwest the climax is where the protagonists are chased on Mount Rushmore. In Psycho, the climax is when Norman Bates alter ego is revealed in the cellar.

Once you understand these key ideas and how they might play into your own ideas, you’ll need to start learning about screenplay format. Check out our in depth blog on script formatting here.

A strong screenplay begins with a compelling concept. Take time to brainstorm ideas and explore different genres, themes, and characters. Consider what unique elements or perspectives you can bring to the story to enhance narrative tension.

Craft a logline, a concise summary of your screenplay, in one or two sentences. This logline should convey the essence of your story, enticing readers to want to know more. It should encapsulate the central conflict and the protagonist’s journey, creating curiosity and anticipation. It includes the main character, set-up, and central conflict in a concise, enticing way but it does not blow the ending!

Here’s an example of a logline for the movie “Jaws“: “When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a small beach town, it’s up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.”

Creating believable and engaging characters is crucial in screenwriting. Develop characters that are multidimensional, with unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. Ensure their dialogue is authentic and reflects their distinct personalities, while also being succinct and impactful. Each character should have clear goals and obstacles that drive their actions throughout the story, contributing to the narrative tension.

Characters should evolve as they face challenges and learn valuable lessons. This journey is known as their character arc. Some examples –

– Jodie Foster’s character in Contact, Dr. Ellie Arroway becomes embroiled in a political and religious controversy that threatens to derail her work. Her character arc is one of personal growth as she learns to stand up for herself and her beliefs. She also learns to let go of her past and move on with her life.

– Elliot’s character in E.T.: Elliot is a young boy who befriends an alien. When E.T. becomes sick, Elliot helps him get back home. His character arc is one of coming-of-age as he learns to take responsibility for his actions and care for others. He also learns to let go of his fears and embrace new experiences.

Organize your story upfront by creating a detailed outline. This step helps in structuring your screenplay and ensures a logical progression of events, building narrative tension. Divide your story into acts, outlining key plot points, character introductions, conflicts, and resolutions. You’ll find new ideas crop up as you write the script, but you should have answered key structural questions in advance.

Once you have a solid outline, it’s time to start writing your first draft. Remember, this is a creative process, so do allow yourself to experiment and take risks. Focus on storytelling, character development, and dialogue, rather than perfecting every sentence. Let it flow. Ultimately every scene in your film will need to further the plot, but in a first draft sometimes great dialogue and moments come from scenes that are later discarded.

After completing the first draft, step back and take some time away from your script. This break allows you to approach the revision process with fresh eyes. Read your screenplay critically, looking for areas that need improvement, such as enhancing narrative tension. Focus on refining dialogue, tightening pacing, and enhancing character arcs.

At this point in your process, if you’re still fundamentally asking yourself, but how do I write a screenplay? it’s time to invest in some education. There are many film schools out there, but professional one on one classes such as those offered by Script E.R. can help. We’ll hold your hand through every step of drafting a screenplay and be there to answer all of your questions in real time.