How to Write a Screenplay

• An idea
• A screenwriting program

Steps

1

Step One

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First, read screenplays of movies that you like. There are a number of sites online that post screenplays (like www.script-o-rama.com). Go so far as reading the screenplay along with the movie. This might be a better education than reading a book about screenwriting.

2

Step Two

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This probably should go without saying: find a good story, something that hasna??t been told 1000 times before. However, mimicking a popular movie in the early going can help you get a hang of the process.

3

Step Three

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Get a screenwriting software program like Final Draft. There are other free programs or macros available for download online. Much easier than trying to format the screenplay in Word or other word processing program.

4

Step Four

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Outlinea??have some idea where the screenplay is going. Separate the screenplay into acts: Act one, act two, and act three. Also map out characters and theme ahead of timea??it will help narrow your focus.

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Step Five

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Include INT. and EXT. for interior and exterior. Like INT. OFFICE - DAY. Most new screenwriters forget this format. Have very short descriptions of the scenea??with no camera directiona??but not so much that it is dry. Instead of camera direction, include info that a director might use: for example, instead of a??Close up on distraught woman,a?? write, a??The woman is cryinga?? (or something along those lines).

• The #1 problem with amateur scripts is too much description. The script should read as fluidly as if you were watching a movie.
• A note: scripts are generally around a page for a minute of screentime. So a 115 page screenplay would work out to a 1 hour and 55 minute movie. Scripts should usually be under 120 pages. Comedies might be as short as 90 (an hour and a half).