How to Write a Screenplay

The world of cinema is an extremely competitive place. You can have the best movie idea in the world, but if the script isn’t laid out the right way, chances are it’ll never get read. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting your script to the screen.

Table of Contents

Start up

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e3/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-1.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-1. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e3/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 1.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:306,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:485,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Know the definition of the script. The script outlines all the elements (sounds, images, gestures and dialogue) that are used to tell the story through the movie or TV series.

A script is usually never the work of a single individual. Instead, it will have to go through a process of reviewing and rewriting, and will eventually be recast by the producers, directors, and actors.
Movies and television series are media of audiovisual entertainment. That means you have to write the script so that it includes both the listening and the visual parts of the story. Focus on writing about images and sounds.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/55/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-2. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/55/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:306,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:485,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Read the scripts of some of your favorite movies. Search scripts online and see what you like (and don’t like) about them. Try to get a feel for how the actions are described, how the dialogue is written, and how the characters are developed.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/8d/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-3. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/8d/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Add details to the idea. Assuming you already have an idea to write about, jot down the necessary details in the plot, relationships, and character’s personality so that the story sticks to it. What is the most important element of your idea? How and why do the characters interact? What is the greater purpose? Does the script have any holes? Make notes of those points in any way you like.

Write a script

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/0a/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-4.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-4. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/0a/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-4.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Write an outline for the story. Start with the basics. Focus on contradictions, because conflict leads to drama.

Note the length. As a script, each page is equivalent to just one minute of film. The average length of a two-hour movie would be approximately 120 pages of script. Drama should be about two hours long, comedy should be shorter – about an hour and a half.
Also, keep in mind that if the scriptwriter is not a celebrity, has a lot of connections or can guarantee the movie’s revenue, then a lengthy script will definitely not be chosen. If the story you want to tell can’t be condensed into two hours, it’s best to turn it into a novel.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/48/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-5.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-5. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/48/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Divide the story into three stages. The three-act structure is the frame of the script. Each stage can take place independently, and when put together, they make up a complete story.

Act One: this is the setting of the story. Introduce the setting and the characters. Set the genre of the movie (comedy, action, romance, etc.). Introduce the main character and begin to uncover the contradictions that drive the story. When the character starts to encounter obstacles, that’s when the second stage begins. As for drama, act one is usually about 30 pages long. With comedy is 24 pages.
Act two: this is the main part of the story. The main character will encounter obstacles in the process of finding a solution to the conflict. Side stories are usually introduced in the second act. During this stage, the protagonist will show some signs of change. For drama, act two is about 60 pages long, and for comedy it is 48 pages.
Stage three: in this stage, the conflict will be resolved. Act three contains a turning point and ends with facing difficulties. Because the story is already formed in act two, act three will be faster and more condensed. For drama, the third act is usually 30 pages long, for comedy 24 pages.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d9/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-6.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-6. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d9/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Add more movie segments. Segments are parts of the story that are played out mostly independently of the main conflict. They also have an opening, a body, and an end. A typical segment will be 10 to 15 pages long. A segment will often focus on a certain character.

Segments will take place with climax independent of the main story, and will often influence the course of the film.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/84/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-7.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-7. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/84/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Start writing the scenes. Movie scenes contain the events of the movie. They take place in certain locations and act as a catalyst for the story to develop. If there’s a scene that doesn’t fulfill that role, cut it out of the script. The pointless scenes will be seen by the audience as errors and drag the whole story down.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/31/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-8.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-8. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/31/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Start writing dialogue. Once you have the scene, you will begin to have the characters interact with each other. Dialogue can be one of the hardest things to write. Each character needs to have a unique and convincing voice.

The actual dialogue doesn’t have to be good. Dialogue should be focused on story and character development. You shouldn’t worry about putting reality into dialogue, because in reality, conversations are often dull and lifeless.
Read the dialogue aloud. Does it sound hesitant, stereotypical, or outrageous? Do the characters talk the same way?

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/3f/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-9.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-9. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/3f/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Cut out excess details. Once all the ideas are written down, look for loose connections, distractions, or anything that drags the story down. Is the story off topic? Are there any redundant or repetitive details? Are you thinking about the audience? If something is superfluous or doesn’t play a role in the story, leave it out.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/21/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-10.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-10. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/21/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:306,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:485,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Show a few friends the complete script. Choose people with different tastes and backgrounds to receive diverse opinions. Ask and accept the disheartening truth; You want constructive criticism, not some flattery or lies.

Review the script as many times as you like. This can be quite heartbreaking at first, but when it’s all over, you’ll be glad you took the time to get your point across.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5e/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-11.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-11. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5e/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 11.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:306,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:485,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

How to present the script

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d6/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-12.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-12. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d6/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 12.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:306,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:485,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Set the paper size. The script is usually written on 8 ½” x 11” paper (A4 paper), with three holes punched in the left margin. Top and bottom margins are aligned between 0.5” and 1”. Left margin is aligned at 1.2”-1.6”, right margin is 0.5”-1”.

The page number is marked in the top right corner. The title page is not numbered.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/70/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-13.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-13. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/70/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 13.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Set font. The script will be written in Courier size 12. This is mainly for timing. One page of script in Courier 12 font is equivalent to one minute of film.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/26/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-14.jpg/v4-460px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-14. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/26/Write-Movie-Scripts-Step-14.jpg/v4-728px-Write-Movie-Scripts-Step- 14.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div> “}

Format elements in the script. There are different parts of your script that you need to present in certain formats to conform to industry standards:

Opening Scene : Also known as “Scene Title.” The opening scene gives context by describing the place. This element will be all capitalized. First, you must note whether this is an outdoor scene or an indoor shot by writing “INT.” (recorded indoors) or “EXT.” (shot outdoors). Then, next to it will be the location and time of filming. Do not end a page with a scene title, move that scene title to the next page.
Action : This is where you describe the action in the script. It is written in the present tense and in the active voice. Write short paragraphs to grab the reader’s attention. An ideal paragraph would be 3 to 5 lines long.
Character Name : Before the conversation begins, the character’s name will be stated and all capitalized, 3.5″ from the left margin. It could be the character’s real name, or it could be a descriptive word if the person wasn’t named in the script, or it could just state the occupation. If the character speaks without being screened, write “(OS)” – the physical language – next to their name. If the character tells the story, write “(VO)” – the voiceover – next to their name.
Dialogue : When a character speaks, the dialogue will be recorded from the left margin 2.5″, and from the right margin from 2 to 2.5″. The dialogue will be right below the character’s name.

Advice

Develop the story in a natural way. A lot of novice screenwriters feel like they want to make the story more and more interesting; others suddenly turn the story from excitement to bewilderment. Make sure the plot is developed gradually so that the excitement can reach a climax.
You can buy scripting software. Some programs can teach you how to present a script, or even convert an existing script into a standard format.
Join the forums for writers. You can learn some tips and exchange ideas with colleagues, and you will even have more good relationships at work.
The idea or point of interest of the story should be stated in the first 10 pages. The first ten pages are what makes the producer want to continue reading your script.
Take creative writing courses. Screenwriting is as difficult and time-consuming as any other type of writing, and even more difficult if you rarely practice it in school.
Look for books on the subject of screenwriting at the library. Many veteran filmmakers have written great books to help people like you.
Consider majoring in mainstream screenwriting. In the US, you can study at the University of Southern California. The University of Cpumbia, UCLA, SF State, NYU, UT-Austin, and the University of Iowa are all good options. In Vietnam, you can enter the University of Theater and Cinema.
Take some time to think about the dialogue and character names.

Warning

You can take inspiration from other people’s work, but never include all of their ideas in your script. This is illegal and highly condemnable.
Do not arbitrarily hand the script to anyone; Ideas are very easy to steal. To prevent this, or at least be credited as the author of the screenplay, you should register the complete script with the Screenwriters Guild of America. They represent all active screenwriters and their website is full of information about the screenwriter profession.

Things you need

Text editor
Scripting software (optional)

Steps