Screenwriting Fundamentals

Study Notes

Story: The underlying narrative of the film, including characters, plot, and themes
Characters: Well-developed, relatable, and believable individuals with their own motivations and goals
Dialogue: Conversations between characters that reveal their personalities, relationships, and backstory
Pacing: The speed at which the story unfolds, including the timing and length of scenes
Tone: The overall mood and atmosphere of the film, influencing the audience's emotional response

Three-Act Structure:
1. Act 1: Setup and exposition, introducing characters and setting
2. Act 2: Confrontation and rising action, where characters face obstacles and conflicts
3. Act 3: Resolution and climax, where conflicts are resolved and the story reaches its conclusion
Scene Headings: Indicate the location and time of each scene, using a clear and concise format
Action Lines: Describe the visual elements of each scene, including character movements and setting details
Transitions: Indicate the passage of time or changes in location between scenes

Character Arc: The transformation or growth a character undergoes throughout the story
Character Traits: Personality characteristics, skills, and flaws that define a character
Character Motivation: The driving forces behind a character's actions and decisions
Backstory: A character's history and experiences that shape their personality and behavior

Show, Don't Tell: Instead of telling the audience what's happening, show them through action and dialogue
Write Visually: Use descriptive language to paint a picture in the reader's mind
Keep it Simple: Avoid overly complex language and focus on clear, concise storytelling
Edit and Revise: Continuously refine and improve your script through multiple drafts

A screenplay consists of four key elements: story, characters, dialogue, pacing, and tone.
Story: The underlying narrative of the film, including characters, plot, and themes.
Characters: Well-developed, relatable, and believable individuals with their own motivations and goals.
Dialogue: Conversations between characters that reveal their personalities, relationships, and backstory.
Pacing: The speed at which the story unfolds, including the timing and length of scenes.
Tone: The overall mood and atmosphere of the film, influencing the audience's emotional response.

A screenplay typically follows a Three-Act Structure:
- Act 1: Setup and exposition, introducing characters and setting.
- Act 2: Confrontation and rising action, where characters face obstacles and conflicts.
- Act 3: Resolution and climax, where conflicts are resolved and the story reaches its conclusion.
Scene Headings: Indicate the location and time of each scene, using a clear and concise format.
Action Lines: Describe the visual elements of each scene, including character movements and setting details.
Transitions: Indicate the passage of time or changes in location between scenes.

Character Arc: The transformation or growth a character undergoes throughout the story.
A character's traits include personality characteristics, skills, and flaws.
Character Motivation: The driving forces behind a character's actions and decisions.
Backstory: A character's history and experiences that shape their personality and behavior.

Show, Don't Tell: Instead of telling the audience what's happening, show them through action and dialogue.
Write Visually: Use descriptive language to paint a picture in the reader's mind.
Keep it Simple: Avoid overly complex language and focus on clear, concise storytelling.
Edit and Revise: Continuously refine and improve your script through multiple drafts.