How to Write a Screenplay: The 5-Step Blueprint

Do you dream of seeing your stories played out on the big screen? Before you can pitch them to  Hollywood production companies, you need to write them into screenplays. 

A screenplay is the written version of a film or television production. If you have a story worth telling, learning how to write and format it into a compelling screenplay will help you maximize its chances of getting picked up and brought to life on the screen. 

Understanding the Basics of Screenplay Writing

Writing a screenplay involves three different components, and you need to keep all three in mind simultaneously. 

1. The story
   This is what happens, to whom and why. Writing a good story means crafting characters, plot lines, conflicts and resolutions. It also means employing storytelling techniques to engage and entertain your audience.
   
2. Showing the story on screen
   When writing a novel, you can tell the reader about your characters’ thoughts, feelings and motivations. With a movie script, on the other hand, you’re limited to what the audience can see and hear. So to drive the story forward, you need to focus on what happens visually and what the characters say.
   
3. Telling the story on paper
   The purpose of a screenplay is to help filmmaking professionals envision what the movie or show will look like on screen. This means that, in addition to writing dialogue, you need to describe any visual elements that are essential to the story. This can include characters’ actions, descriptions of where they are and, if relevant, even the clothes they’re wearing. 

Formatting Your Screenplay 

If you’re an aspiring screenwriter and you want to pitch your screenplays to production companies, it’s important that you format them according to industry standards. 

Below are a few scriptwriting fundamentals you need to know: 

• Use a 12-point Courier font
• The left margin should be 1.5 inches, while all other margins should be 1 inch
• Each page should cover approximately one minute of screen time, so keep film scripts at 95-120 pages and TV show scripts at 20-45 pages
• Include the following elements:
  • Sluglines (also called scene headings) specify the location of each scene, time of day and whether it’s an exterior or interior scene.
  • Action lines describe what happens in the scene and include any other descriptions that are vital to the story. 
  • Character names appear before lines of dialogue to specify who is speaking.
  • Parentheticals appear just above the dialogue to specify how the lines should be spoken. 
  • Transitions (ex: “fade in” or “cut to”) are notes for the editing team on how to transition to a new scene.
  • Page numbers appear in the top right corner everywhere except the first page. 
• Sluglines (also called scene headings) specify the location of each scene, time of day and whether it’s an exterior or interior scene.
• Action lines describe what happens in the scene and include any other descriptions that are vital to the story. 
• Character names appear before lines of dialogue to specify who is speaking.
• Parentheticals appear just above the dialogue to specify how the lines should be spoken. 
• Transitions (ex: “fade in” or “cut to”) are notes for the editing team on how to transition to a new scene.
• Page numbers appear in the top right corner everywhere except the first page. 
• Sluglines (also called scene headings) specify the location of each scene, time of day and whether it’s an exterior or interior scene.
• Action lines describe what happens in the scene and include any other descriptions that are vital to the story. 
• Character names appear before lines of dialogue to specify who is speaking.
• Parentheticals appear just above the dialogue to specify how the lines should be spoken. 
• Transitions (ex: “fade in” or “cut to”) are notes for the editing team on how to transition to a new scene.
• Page numbers appear in the top right corner everywhere except the first page. 

Trying to follow all these rules can take up time and distract you from your creative process, so it’s highly recommended that you use a screenwriting software. It will automatically adhere to script formatting standards and let you focus on writing a great story. 

How to Write a Screenplay in 5 Steps 

Once you have an idea for a screenplay, it can be tempting to jump right in and start writing. But there are a few key steps you need to take first. Follow the step-by-step process below to write a cohesive, well-thought-out screenplay and set yourself up for success. 

Step 1: Craft Your Characters 

Start by creating memorable, relatable and well-rounded characters that your audience will connect with. The most impactful stories involve a main character who goes through some kind of character arc—a transformation for the better. Creating character outlines can help you approach character development with intention while maintaining consistency with the minor characters. 

Step 2: Plan Out Your Story Structure

Next, consider your plotline. Your story should have a clear beginning, middle and end. An easy way to achieve this is to use a three-act structure:

Act 1: Setup
Introduce the characters and the world they live in. Create an inciting incident that forces the main character to go on a journey in pursuit of a goal. 

Act 2: Confrontation
Take the main character on a challenging adventure full of ups and downs and personal growth.  Keep building momentum and raising the stakes for them. You can also introduce a few subplots to add depth and dimension to your story. 

Act 3: Resolution
Bring the main character to face their biggest challenge yet. This should be the climax of the story. Once they overcome the challenge and reach their goal, you can start winding down the story. Wrap up any subplots, tie up any loose ends and answer any remaining questions.

Step 3: Create a Beat Sheet and Outline

A beat sheet is the blueprint of your screenplay. It includes the major plot points and key moments that drive the story forward. Creating a beat sheet will not only help you plan out your screenplay, but also stay on track once you start writing. 

You can use a beat sheet template and follow a tried-and-tested plot structure (for example, Save the Cat by Blake Snyder is a popular choice) or create your own beat sheet from scratch. 

From there, you can create a more detailed outline that includes specific scenes and what happens in each one. 

Step 4: Write Your First Draft

Start filling each scene with lines of dialogue and action lines, aiming for a balanced mix of both. 

Remember that your goal is to help the reader visualize what they’d see on screen, so write in present tense and keep your action lines purely descriptive. 

A great rule of thumb in screenwriting is “show, don’t tell”. Avoid using action lines and dialogue to provide background information or explain plot points. For example, instead of describing your character as having poor time management skills, write a scene that shows them running late to a meeting.

Focus on finishing your first draft—it doesn’t have to be perfect, and you can always edit it later. If you’re feeling stuck on a particular scene, move on to the next and come back to it later. 

Step 5: Revise Your Screenplay

Next, go through the entire script and make revisions. Less is more in screenplay writing, so see if you can cut any dialogue lines or even entire scenes. You don’t need to show the audience everything—if they can guess how a scene starts or ends, don’t hesitate to trim it and keep only the essential parts. 

Professional screenwriters often collaborate and even hire script doctors to help them reach their final draft. So be sure to get feedback from others and stay open to constructive criticism and suggestions. 

Embark on Your Screenwriting Journey

You’re now ready to write your first script! To master the craft, read as many screenplays as you can, analyze your favorite movies and shows and make writing a regular practice. With persistence and a willingness to keep learning, you’ll be seeing your stories on screen in no time!

Written By

Sayana Lam

Sayana is a musician, writer and graphic designer based in Toronto, Canada.

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