By Varun Prabhu

Screenwriting – An Intro

1. Screenwriting2. Differences between Scripts and Novels3. Story Building4. Character Arcs5. Dramatic Structures6. Movie Screenplays7. Teleplays8. The Three Act Structure9. The Four Act Structure10. The Five Act Structure

CONTENTS

The Six Act StructureThe General Rule of ThumbAdaptationsNovelizationElements of a ScreenplayWriting a SynopsisCreating a LoglineWriting a PitchWays of PitchingCompetitionsThe Stage 32 Website

CONTENTS (CONT'D)

Screenwriting is a method of writing and storytelling by using screenplays or scripts (both are different though..we will come to this later. For now, we can use them interchangeably)

Screenplays are written like theatre plays but are more visual than using props. More focus on action and dialogue.

It is quite in vogue these days considering this medium is hitting a new high. Still, competition is difficult.

Novelists can be screenwriters too. But they must understand the differences.

SCREENWRITING

Screenplays usually do not exceed 150 pages. Novels can be more as required.

Screenplays focus more on action and dialogue. Novels focus on every aspect of the setting.

Screenplays are always written in third person. Novels can have multiple points of view.

Screenplays are always written in present tense. Novels can be written in present or past tense.

Novels can explore a story in detail than a movie or a television show. However, a TV show can explore in much more detail than a movie.

Differences between Screenplays and Novels

This applies to both novels and screenplays.You can either use outlining or pantsing.However, do know the beginning, the middle, and the end

of your story. They are very important.Stories are generated from ideas. Ideas are for the most

part inspired. Start generating stories that work around clichés.For the movies, write as if you are building an entertainer,

unless you are doing an art film or something meaningful.For a television show, write with the TRP in mind. That

requires drama, story, and twists and turns. To pitch a show concept, make sure that you have at least 5 seasons worth of story, even if all you are doing is writing a pilot episode.

Story Building

Most important of storytelling.There must be turning points in the story to

show how characters evolve and develop.Don’t try and write stock characters. They

must be done away with.Just because a type of character worked in a

certain movie doesn’t mean you build the same one for yours.

You can still use black and white characters.Gray ones are preferable.

Character Building

Every story needs a structure.Many professionals need you to tell a story

via The Acts.There are many structures available for use

like the 3-Act, 4-Act, 5-Act, 6-Act.6-Act Structure is the latest dramatic

structure.Movies these days use the 4-Act Structure.TV Shows these days use the 5-Act Structure.

Dramatic Structures

Uses the 4-Act Structure.Story is important but so is the commercial

value.Studios are open to any kind of screenplays

these days from all over the world.

Movie Screenplays

Teleplays are screenplays designed for television series.

Each episode in a television show follows the 5-Act Structure or the 6-Act Structure.

Each season of a television show follows the 5-Act or the 6-Act Structure.

Teleplays

It is a model used in screenwriting that divides a story into three parts:SETUP: Used for Exposition.CONFRONTATION: Also referred to as Rising

Action. Depicts the protagonist’s attempts to resolve conflicts.

RESOLUTION: Contains the story’s climax.Stories used to follow this structure earlier.

Nowadays, they have evolved.

The Three Act Structure

More commonly used in movie screenplays.Uses four acts:

Set Up: For ExpositionBuild: For building action towards turning

point.Rising Action: Character evolves from turning

point and attempts to resolve conflict.Resolution: Final push towards end of conflict.

The Four Act Structure

Teleplays mostly use this structure.Five Acts are:

Exposition: Introduces important background information to the audience. Ex: Settings, events before main plot, characters’ back stories etc. Can be conveyed using flashbacks, dialogues, character thoughts, etc.

Rising Action: Series of events leading towards a point of interest.

Climax: Turning point which changes fate of the protagonist. Falling Action: Conflict between protagonist and antagonist

unravels. Resolution: Conflicts are resolved, creating normality for the

characters. In a comedy, the resolution ends with a denouement. Here protagonist is in a better state than the beginning. In a tragedy, the resolution ends with a catastrophe. Here the protagonist is in a worse state than the beginning.

The Five Act Structure

It uses the same template as the Five Act Structure, except that a teaser is added just before the First Act (Exposition).

A teaser is something that engages the audience and is the central event that ensues the following acts. Many supernatural and procedural shows use this teaser.

Personally, I use this structure to write my screenplays. I use Five Act for Movies.

You can use either of these structures for novels also.

The Six Act Structure

Movies are usually 1.5 hour long. Take a general rule of one page = one minute. So a screenplay should be at least 90-120 pages long. More than that is not advisable. However, if the story so requires, it might exceed 120. But keep it below 150.

Bollywood movies are 2.5 hours – 3 hours long. Keep the screenplay to 150-180 pages. 150 is optimum.

An hour long TV pilot usually has 45-60 pages. Anything more than is not recommended.

A half-hour comedy TV pilot should be 25-35 pages long.Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter are the

recommended software for developing screenplays.A TV show with 6-8 episodes is usually called a mini-series.A TV Show generally has 8-24 episodes per season.

The General Rule of Thumb

Adaptations are creative works that are based on a novel.

You don’t have to take every thing from the novel.Use only important scenes which move the story

forward.Sometimes it becomes necessary to change the

story or certain events. Do it if it is absolutely essential even though there will be complaints regarding how screenplays do not stick true to the novels.

What works for the literary form may not necessarily work for the visual media.

Adaptations

Novelization is the process of converting a screenplay to a novel.

TV shows are being written in novel form these days.

Usually given to a famous writer/ghostwriter.

Novelization

ActsScene HeadingsActionDialogueTransitionParentheticals

Elements of a Screenplay

The second hardest part.Keep it to 2-3 pages.Define goals of story.Define protagonist/s and antagonist/s.Describe conflict and events leading to it.Describe how conflict is resolved.Useful to writers only.

Writing a Synopsis

A log line is a 1-2 sentence summary of your story.

Producers and studios look for this one to get hooked to your story.

Log line is the first thing they look at.Make sure your log line doesn’t exceed 3

sentences.Your log line should be 60-90 words. 60 is

optimum.Log lines should define protagonist,

antagonist, conflict, and what protagonist does to overcome conflict.

Creating a Log Line

A Pitch is usually 1 page. Maximum 2 pages.A pitch should define protagonist, antagonist,

conflict, and its resolution properly.It should hook the producer/studio.Pitches usually also contain log lines.Should be free of grammatical and spelling

errors. Hence, they must be carefully proofread and edited.

Writing a Pitch

There are different ways of pitching your scripts:Networking in film festivals.Networking parties.Online Websites that allow pitching for a price.

(Please research these sites. Many are scam artists)

Enlisting in The Blacklist, The Young List, and The Blood List (for horror genre)

Ways of Pitching

There are many screenwriting competitions available.

Very low chance of success.Prominent ones are Academy Nicholls, Page

International, Script Pipeline, BlueCat, Austin Film Festival, Final Draft Big Break, Slamdance, Sundance Film Festival, Scriptapalooza, etc. (Please check the sites again)

Competitions

An interesting website to network socially over the Internet for film, TV, and theatre professionals.

Quite good if you know how to interact.Has all sorts of forums and groups for you to know

every aspect of filmmaking including screenwriting and novel writing.

It is free to register.Founded by Richard RB Botto. The Happy Writers Program conducts classes, webinars,

pitch sessions, online pitchfests, and contests. Has been pretty instrumental in landing writers in the industry. This program is PAID.

There is also a jobs section.

The Stage 32 Website