Finished Your Screenplay Next Steps

You've completed your first screenplay, what do you do next?

The first thing you should do is congratulate yourself. Writing a screenplay is no easy task. Next, get use to re-writing. It is part of the process and necessary. Be subjection about your work.

Below is a checklist you can use:

Typos

• Typos can catch you by surprise. If you need to copy the script into Microsoft Word and do a spell check or use an add-on tool to assist you with finding typos.

• Check for missing hyphens, question marks, overuse of exclamation marks, etc.

Overwriting

• Remember each page of a screenplay represents about one minute of screen time. Screenplays that are mostly action will typically be longer while screenplays that are dialogue intensive will typically be shorter.

• Remember screenplays are not novels and they are not silent movies either.

• Keep descriptions and actions to 3 to 4 lines max.

• Don’t write little movements.

• Only include things you can visually see or hear.

• Only include things that develop the character, move the story along, or relate to the plot.

• Check your page count

  • • Two-Hour Feature Screenplays should be between 100 to 110 pages.

    • TV Screenplays

      • One-Hour should be between 55 to 60 pages.

      • Half-Hour Single-Camera should be between 22 to 25 pages.

      • Half-Hour Multi-Camera should be between 52 to 58 pages.

• Embrace the white space on the page. Avoid writing a whole page with nothing but the description and/or action with no dialogue. Readers cringe when they see this. Make your screenplay a fast easy read.

Story / Plot

• Check for story or plot holes.

• If something happens off-screen that it is explained.

• Ensure that there is a stratifying ending. Do not leave the reader/audience hanging unless it is a series.

• Give the reader/audience something to care about. Ensure you have found the heart in your story.

• Make sure there is something that happens within the first three to five pages of your script. Hook them from the start.

• Do not let the reader/audience outguess your writing. Do the unexpected.

• Ensure your script is a fast read.

Budget Friendly Tips

• Keep the number of locations down to a minimum. Reuse locations to help.

• Keep explosions, special effects and CGI down to a minimum or don't use them at all.

• Avoid crowd scenes, if possible.

• Include opportunities for product placements

• Keep the number of characters down to a minimum. Only have characters speaking that need to be.

Structure

• Avoid breaking every rule there is about structure, even if you think you have the greatest idea there is.

• I’ve listed a few articles on structure that are worth your time to read.

  • Story Mastery - STORY STRUCTURE: The 5 Key Turning Points of All Successful Screenplays - Michael Hauge

  • ScreenCraft - 10 Screenplay Structures That Screenwriters Can Use

  • MasterClass - How to Structure a Screenplay: 7-Step Script Structure Guide - 2021

  • ScreenCraft - A Simple Guide to Formatting Television Scripts

  • The Script Lab - How to Structure and Format Your Television Scripts

Character Introductions

• The first time a character is introduced the name should be in all CAPS.

• Provide a brief interesting description that tells us something about them that pertains to the story or plot.

• Avoid using average, pretty, handsome… and clichés… be creative.

• Have the character do something interesting.

Dialogue

• • Does each character speak in their voice?

  • Make sure you are using O.S. and V.O. correctly.

  • Avoid overusing parentheticals. Parentheticals should be on their line and no longer than two lines.

  • Avoid overusing ellipses.

  • Remember most people do not speak formally unless that is a character trait.

  • Characters from a foreign country, different generations, ethnic backgrounds, etc. will speak differently.

  • Don’t overuse saying a character’s name. It sounds funny and people do not speak that way.

  • Do be too on the nose or too direct… use subtext.

Scene Headings

• • Make sure you are using FLASHBACK and PRESENT DAY correctly.

  • Use INTERCUT to flip back and forth between two scenes like a telephone conversation.

  • Be sure you are using scene headings correctly. INT or EXT (sometimes INT/EXT) – Primary Location – Secondary Location – DAY or NIGHT.

  • Avoid using DUSK, DAWN, NOON, etc. unless it is specifically needed.

General Formatting

• Make sure you are using LATER or MOMENTS LATER correctly. Should be on a separate line.

• Use MONTAGE or SERIES OF SHOTS to show a sequence of brief actions or images. Should be on a separate line.

• Use INSERT to draw attention to a letter, sign, document, etc. Should be on a separate line.

• Sounds should be in all CAPS.

• Spec scripts should NOT include any camera directions such as CUT TO, FADE OUT, etc. Use action to direct the camera.

Budget Reduction Suggestions

• Reuse a location as much as you can. This will keep the number of locations down to a minimum.

• Only use explosions, special effects, and CGI if truly needed.

• Avoid crowd scenes if possible, especially with this COVID-19 thing going on.

• Include opportunity for product placements.

Let it sit for a few months then look at it with a fresh set of eyes.

• Re-read your script and use the above list check for things.

• Be objective.

Create a Great Title

• Remember this is the first thing that someone will read about your screenplay. Make it count!

• The title should be easy to remember and for others to tell someone else about.

• It should encompass and complement the story.

• It should be as short as possible.

Create a Logline

• A logline is a summary of the central conflict of the story which has an emotional “hook” to capture a reader/audience’s attention to the story. It is usually one sentence but no more than two sentences.

• The logline is your first impression of your screenplay. Make it count!

• Use an active voice.

• Include the goal that the protagonist must do.

• Include what is at stake if the protagonist does not do a thing.

• Use strong adjectives.

• Do not use a character’s name.

• There are several formulas for writing a logline

When [Inciting incident] happens, [Protagonist] decides to do [Action] against [Antagonist]

Classify the Story by Genre and Sub-Genre

• • Classify your screenplay by genre and sub-genre below is a list of the most popular genres.

    • Action, Comedy, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Horror, Fantasy, Historical, Science Fiction, Thriller, War, Western,

    • ScreenCraft - Do you REALLY Know What Genre Your Screenplay Is?

Get Coverage

• There are several places you can go to get coverage some are better than others.

• Remember coverage is an option and you may not agree with every suggestion someone provides you with.

• Looks for things that were not clear or set up correctly in your script that might be where the note is coming from.

Comparable or Similar To

• Identify two or three other films that your story is similar to comparable to.

• The purpose is to provide a sense of style and tone for the reader.

Synopsis

• This a summarization of the screenplay that is used to entice someone to want to ready your screenplay.

• It should not include everything that happens in the script. Only include the most important or interesting parts of the story.

• Write in the present tense and use a third-person point of view.

• Stick to the main plot points and main characters.

• Capture the emotional dynamics of the story.

• Some people include the ending while others do not.

• WikiHow - How to Write a Screenplay Synopsis (with Pictures)

Written Pitch

• You will need to create a one-page and two-page written pitch.

  • Both are almost the same thing the one-page just has less of it.

• It should include the following:

  • Title

  • Your contact information

  • Genre and Sub-Genre

  • Format – Feature / TV Pilot and Type

  • Comparable / Similar Films

  • Synopsis – the One-Page has a shortened version of this.

  • Main Characters Brief Description – the One-Page may not include this.