How To Write A Screenplay

Writing is a very popular way to express yourself, and creating your first script is a great way to do that! It’s also an easy way to make some money if you're willing to give it a try.
But before you write that screenplay, you have to know how to write a screenplay.

Screenwriting is not simply writing about interesting stories with characters you like. That's the initial stage of writing a screenplay. You must be more specific than that!

There are five major sections in most screenplays (also called acts or scenes). Each section is one minute long and every scene has at least two paragraphs. These five sections are:
Introduction, Action, Dialogue, Setting, and Conclusion.

The dialogue can even become its own separate piece when written well.

Watch movie scripts

One of the most important things to learn as a screenwriter is how to read a script. Watching movies can be a great way to do this. You can even create your own list of favorites that contain lots of dialogue.

Screenwriting is a language, just like any other. By reading enough written stories in this language, you will naturally pick up some tips and tricks. Many writers’ groups offer free writing courses where you can test out their style.

Another option is to watch old films and read notes or interviews with the writer(s) of the story. There are many ways to do this, so find one that works for you!

General rules: When reading scripts, make sure they have an ending. This avoids people having to ask if you did!

Never assume anything about the characters unless it is clearly stated otherwise. A few simple questions could determine what they believe and feel about certain topics.

If possible, try to understand what the author was trying to say. Some stories may not be clear until later chapters, but should you come across a word or phrase you don’t know, look it up! It would help you connect ideas more easily and quickly in your own work.

Create a writing schedule

Writing a screenplay is not a task that can be left until “some time in the future” when you have time to do it. It takes constant work every day, even if you don’t feel like it.

Just because you didn’t write much during the past week doesn’t mean you can skip what’s waiting for you tomorrow! If you need help getting into the habit of writing everyday, try establishing a routine where you write for a set amount of time each day.

The best way to get into the groove of writing every day is to simply start doing it. So, make a commitment to yourself to sit down and put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) every morning and night for at least one hour.

Develop your script

Now that you have done some writing, it is time to work on your screenplay! The next step in the process is to develop your script. This can be done through either editing or re-writing.

Editing means changing what already exists in the written form of your screenplay. For example, if there are too many flashbacks, try cutting down on them. If there are not enough scenes showing the main characters developing their relationship, add more ones like this one.

By doing this, however, you will need to make sure your story still feels fluid and natural. Make sure nothing looks forced or unnatural.

For writers who feel stuck, trying out new styles or approaches can help get your creative flow back. There are several online tools available free to use to do this. Some of these have interactive features which can really boost your creativity.

Rewriting comes after editing where you take what has worked and cut away anything that does not fit anymore.

This could be removing a character, altering the plot, or just rewriting certain parts. Sometimes, simply adding something new can give you new ideas for how to continue the movie.

Writing a screenplay is an ever-evolving craft that never gets easy or stationary. Try out the different steps to see what works for you, and keep learning as you go. You will always find helpful resources and tips online and at film schools around the country.

Submit your script

Now that you have written an excellent screenplay, it is time to submit it! While some may say that writing a movie is just going through a list of stories and picking one, that isn’t quite true.

When someone says that, they are probably thinking about writing a book and then choosing which story to read from there. Writing a movie is way more complicated than that.

In fact, most screenwriters don’t really start writing their first draft as soon as they decide on their main character and setting. They spend several drafts developing the characters, shaping the plot, and figuring out how the narrative flows before getting into the actual scripting process.

This can be tricky if you're not used to writing scripts. Many writers get stuck after drafting their third or even fourth version of the script because they run out of ideas for the next scene. When this happens, they have to backtrack and re-evaluate what they've already wrote, which can be hard.

Luckily, technology makes it easy to create your own script at no cost. There are many free website and apps that allow you to do so, and most include features that can help you get started. You can pick and choose whatever parts appeal to you, make revisions, and share your work with others.

There are also paid services that offer similar functions, but remain in beta mode much longer, giving you better access to them.

Connect with other writers

Now that you have your script finished, it’s time to connect with others! You can do this in many ways- through blogs, forums, or even just by posting on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

By connecting with other screenwriters, you will be exposed to different styles of writing, new tips and tricks for improving your own storytelling, and more importantly, you will make friends who can help you succeed!

Screenwriting is an ever changing field, so don’t hesitate to join groups or create your own where you share your work and get feedback from people whose knowledge you admire.

And while we can’t tell you whether what you write is good or not, we are always happy to give our honest opinions and talk about things related to writing.

Get an agent

Now that you have your script, what to do with it is the next step! While most screenwriters work alone, there are ways to get professional help for your screenplay.

Screenwriting agents or representation agencies can be a great way to launch your writing career. Agents represent their clients in front of producers as well as other writers and filmmakers. They also handle all aspects of filmmaking including production, financing, marketing, etc.

Agents typically earn a percentage of the film’s profits while their client gets paid either monthly or yearly depending on the contract.

Some agents focus more heavily on development projects (no filming yet) whereas others prefer working under pressure at the pre-production stage where they can make changes quickly.

Know your audience

As we mentioned before, what makes a great movie is not necessarily what makes for a strong screenplay. What kind of stories people like to watch is in part determined by who you are as an artist and writer.

Your story will never appeal to someone if you don’t understand how things feel inside of them. You have to be able to touch their hearts or else it’s just another piece of fiction.

As writers, we need to learn about emotions so that our characters' feelings can come through clearly for the reader. We also must know why certain behaviors make sense for a person at a given time, which helps us write believable dialogue.

At the same time, we must be familiar with the genre of movies and literature that inspired our scripts. A good screenwriter should be able to connect with other writers and create authentic parallels.

There are many ways to do this, from reading books and writing reviews to studying film theory and psychology. By being aware of the factors that motivate action, you'll find it easier to add drama to your scenes and develop character relationships.

Plan your movie

Now that you have the initial idea for your screenplay, it’s time to start thinking about how to make the story work as a film. There are two main things that can determine whether or not your script is filmed well and if you are able to get someone to invest in developing it - storyline and dialogue.

Storyline is what makes stories interesting. A good storyline will keep the reader/viewer engaged because they want to find out what happens next. Sometimes this desire is conscious (they want to see the next chapter of their favorite book) and sometimes it is subconscious (they just really like that character and want to know what happens to them). Either way, it is important to give your audience a sense of urgency to read your book!

Dialogue is also very integral to storytelling. An eventful conversation usually leaves more impact than some talk-fest that doesn’t move the plot along. Your characters should be doing something- talking, arguing, questioning, etc.- so there is an incentive to listen.

When writing a screenplay, try to mix both narrative points and conversations where one element takes over. Don’t write long chunks of only dialogues unless you are very comfortable writing floridly!

General tips: use short, direct sentences; avoid too many clichés and overly used expressions; active voice is better than passive when appropriate.