How to Write a Screenplay: Structure, Stages and Formatting

What is a screenplay?

It contains information about the characters, the lines spoken by actors, and directions concerning locations, sets and the details needed to bring the writer’s idea to life.

A screenwriter must understand the specific rules governing writing and formatting, but above all, they need an idea for a good story.

We have prepared a comprehensive guide to help you understand how to write a screenplay.

Screenplay structure — the basics

Every screenplay relies on a carefully considered narrative structure, as well as technical elements that make its practical production possible.

Story structure

Every composition must have a beginning, middle and end. The rule established by Aristotle more than 25 centuries ago still applies today and remains almost unchanged. The principle also applies to screenplay writing:

• the beginning (Act One), most often called the set-up — introducing the reader or viewer to the story, its atmosphere and the protagonist. It is important for the audience to develop an emotional response to the character, such as sympathy or compassion;
• the middle:
  ✓ the first turning point — the action begins and the protagonist must have a goal or task to accomplish;
  ✓ Act Two (the confrontation) — the protagonist pursues their goals while struggling with reality and other characters;
  ✓ the second turning point — a change in perspective, the mystery is explained and the struggle comes to an end;
• the ending (Act Three), also known as the finale — the fate of the characters is brought together, and the protagonist discovers a truth about themselves and/or the world.

Technical elements

When creating a screenplay, you must also remember two important structural elements that provide precise guidance for the people working to bring your idea to life:

• action lines — directions and explanations that help create the appropriate set and atmosphere, including descriptions of how characters speak, what they look like, their surroundings and props;
• dialogue — the lines spoken by the people who appear in your text.

How to write a screenplay: 3 key stages

Screenwriting is a process worth dividing into stages — from the initial idea, through the synopsis, to the final version.

The story idea

Every screenplay starts with an idea. If you already have an engaging story in mind, that is a great start. If not, but you want to enter the world of screenwriting, here are several tried-and-tested ways to find inspiration.

1. Analyse the stories of your family and friends — they often conceal powerful emotions and drama that can become the foundation of an engaging screenplay. In this case, protect the anonymity of the characters and state that any resemblance to real events or people is coincidental.
2. Take inspiration from real events around the world — both current and historical. Local media, archives and online information databases are excellent sources of inspiration. Remember that you do not have to limit yourself to the present day — Titanic, for example, was based on events that took place more than a century ago.
3. Turn to literature — novels, non-fiction and biographies often contain ready-made themes that can be reworked creatively. If you want to use a particular story, remember the legal considerations: an adaptation requires permission from the copyright holder.

The summary

Before you start writing the full screenplay, organise the story into three short forms: a logline, synopsis and treatment.

After the logline, create a synopsis — a short summary of the story divided into acts, with two key turning points in each one.

Next, develop a treatment, meaning a detailed description of the plot. Include plot twists, the sequence of events, relationships between the characters, their motivations and conflicts. Leave out dialogue — only key quotations may appear.

Writing the screenplay itself

You already have an idea and an initial plan — now it is time to start writing the screenplay itself, expanding the prepared framework into a complete structure of scenes and dialogue.

Keep several rules in mind:

• name all the characters;
• write action lines concisely and specifically (instead of writing that “the sun has disappeared below the horizon and the sky is becoming an increasingly deep blue”, simply write that it is getting dark);
• write in the present tense;
• divide events into scenes (each change of location means a new scene);
• describe only what can be seen and heard (do not write about what a character is thinking).

You do not have to begin with a dramatic opening — if the ending and what happens to the protagonist matter most to you, write the final scene first and then create the moments that lead up to it.

Screenplay example

Below is a short example scene showing what a properly formatted screenplay looks like.

What does a film screenplay look like? Formatting

You must remember several formatting rules.

1. Use Courier or Courier New, 12-point font.
2. Keep the font size consistent throughout the screenplay.
3. Use single line spacing.
4. The title page should contain a centred title, while the writer’s name and contact details should appear at the bottom.
5. Page numbers should appear at the top right. Begin numbering with page two.
6. Give every scene a heading aligned to the left and written in capitals, including the relevant location and time. Use standard headings such as INT. for interior and EXT. for exterior.
7. Place action lines below the scene heading and write them as continuous left-aligned text.
8. Write character names in capitals, particularly when a character appears for the first time, centred above their dialogue. You may include an approximate age in brackets. Dialogue should sit in the central column, with standard screenplay margins.
9. If you have directions for the dialogue, place them in brackets below the character’s name.

Formatting has a significant role in a screenplay. Above all, it shows the reader whether they are dealing with a professional or an amateur. Standard screenplay layout also helps communicate pacing: one properly formatted page generally corresponds to roughly one minute of screen time. Failure to follow the conventions may mean your screenplay is rejected after the first page.

Even if your story has the potential to become an interesting film, nobody will have the opportunity to discover it. In the film industry, form often determines whether the story will be read at all.