Plotlines vs Loglines As we discussed last week, plotlines and loglines are different. Loglines are selling tools designed to excite an audience. Plotlines are designed to help you, the writer, clearly understand the beginning, middle and end of your script. A good plotline will distill the essential dramatic elements of…

From the Nitty Gritty to the 30,000-ft View When you’re script is done and even before, when you’re in the middle of writing, if you tell someone that you’re working on a script, the first question they ask is: “What’s it about?” Your answer is the logline of your movie. …

Many aspiring screenwriters want to break the mold and write a film true to their artistic vision. They argue: “what’s the point of calling yourself a writer if all you are doing is filling in the blanks on a numbered pre- determined list of events?” …

When writing a screenplay, a “beat sheet” is an invaluable tool. After you’ve come up with your concept, characters, beginning, middle and end of your story, a beat sheet enables you to put it all together and take a 30,000-ft view of your story. A beat sheet allows you to…

Yes, pitching your screenplay ideas is an art and a craft indeed. If you are lucky enough to get into a room and garner the attention of a producer or executive, you’ll only have a few minutes to hook them or lose them. Always remember this fact going in: Your…

One Good Scene Deserves Another While we’re on the topic of scene work, let’s examine what makes a scene pop in a screenplay. What are the essential tasks of a scene in a screenplay? They must do two essential things. Move the story forward and keep the audience engaged. One…

Beginning, Middle and End In a screenplay, just like your plot, a well-structured scene will have a beginning, middle and end. Beginning You must establish who the protagonist of the scene is and what they want. Except for the first time we meet a character, this is done BEFORE the…

The end of punctuation: full stop. This will complete our examination of how to use punctuation to create vivid imagery in your narrative description and how to imply camera angles and pacing edits without revealing that’s what you are doing. If there’s anything I’ve missed, send me a note. I’ll…

Backwards and forwards As we continue our exploration of how to use punctuation in the narrative description of a screenplay, don’t forget the example we’re looking using. It’s from the first page of Shane Black’s 2005 directorial debut, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: The girl starts to SCREAM. SHRIEKING. Writhing in…