Table of Contents

Table of Contents1

The Left Brain vs the Right Brain7

What is a Screenplay for?8

Chapter 1: Where Do You Find a Good Story?9

Tips for writing a Short Screenplay10

ADAPTING A NEWS HEADLINE FOR A SCREENPLAY11

Worksheet12

Chapter 2: The Premise13

Chapter 3: Screenplay Structure15

The Three-Act Structure15

Act One16

The Set-Up16

The Central Question16

The Catalyst/Inciting Incident16

The First Turning Plot Point16

Act Two17

The Midpoint17

The Second Turning Point17

Act Three17

The Climax17

The Conclusion17

Theme17

THE PARADIGM 3-ACT STRUCTURE18

Chapter 4: Scene Cards21

Creating Your Cards21

Laying Out Your Cards23

Chapter 5: Subplots25

Chapter 6: Treatment Outline26

Chapter 7: Manipulating Time28

Narrative devices to manipulate time:28

Flashback28

Flashforward28

Set-Up/Payoff29

Montage29

Series of Shots29

Chapter 8: Conflict, Obstacles and Rising Stakes30

Push the Limits Writing Exercise30

Up the Stakes Writing Exercise31

Chapter 9: Climax and Resolution32

Chapter 10: Openings and Endings33

Chapter 11: Creating Characters35

Roll the Dice Character Game36

Creating Characters and Visualization Boards37

Chapter 12: Dialogue38

Dialogue Tips38

Listen38

Don’t start writing it too soon39

Is it needed?39

Keep it short39

Make each voice unique39

Don’t tell us what we already know39

Avoid hitting it “on the nose”40

Speak it outloud40

DIALOGUE WRITING EXERCISE41

Chapter 13: Writing your first draft42

Tips for building your scenes42

Structure42

Setups and payoffs43

Exposition43

Avoid the character’s thoughts43

Make it visual44

Button a scene44

Chapter 14: Formatting45

Screenwriting Software45

Script length45

Editing and Camera Directions46

Avoid “We see” or “We hear”46

Scene Descriptions Length46

FADE IN46

Scene Headings (Slug Lines)46

MONTAGE and SERIES OF SHOTS47

FLASHBACKS and DREAM SEQUENCES48

Character First Appearances48

Sounds49

SUPERS49

Parentheticals49

Off Screen (O.S.) and Voice Overs (V.O.)49

Telephone Conversations49

Emails and Text Messages50

Foreign Languages or Deaf Dialogue51

Character Sounds51

FADE OUT51

Chapter 15: Rewriting52

Tips for making the most of your rewrite52

Proof it52

Learn how to give and receive feedback53

Here’s a helpful guide on feedback etiquette.53

How to give feedback53

How to receive feedback53

Chapter 16: What’s next?54

Tips and resources to get your script made54

Table Read54

Organizations for screenwriters55

Copyright55

Contests, Festivals and Fellowships55

College courses55

Hone your craft56

For Instructors56

Chapter 17: Sample Course Syllabus and Schedule57