Skip to content

14 Important Tips for Writing a Movie Script

How to Write a Movie Script

Key Idea: You must visualize your story before you write it.

Summary: Assuming you have an original idea, you need to visualize your story. Close your eyes and work it out mentally. Don’t rush for paper and pencil until you have placed each character and each scene in your mind’s eye. The art of visualization is necessary to the success of your movie script. It is a training of the imagination and a first aid to becoming a scenario writer. When the idea has been developed in your mind, it is then ready to be set forth on paper. Logically develop your scenes. Study continuity, and keep away from confusing complications.

  1. A Fertile Imagination

    1. A fertile imagination is necessary to write a successful movie script.
    2. Logically develop your scenes and study continuity to avoid confusing complications.

  2. The Art of Visualization

    1. The art of visualization is necessary to the success of your movie script.
    2. Visualization is a training of the imagination and a first aid to becoming a scenario writer.
    3. When the idea has been developed in your mind, it is then ready to be set forth on paper.

  3. Logic in Scene Development

    1. Make sure your scenes are logical and easy to follow.
    2. Pay attention to continuity to avoid confusion.
    3. Use your imagination to visualize the story.

  4. Continuity in the Script

    1. Continuity is important in order to keep the story clear and concise.
    2. Visualizing the story before writing it down can help to ensure that all elements are in place.

How to Write a Plot

Key Idea: A screenplay must have a “punch.” This is the most important factor in making a salable screenplay.

Summary: A good story must have a strong plot that builds up to a climax. The climax should be the most exciting part of the story, and everything should lead up to it. Without a strong plot and exciting climax, your story will not be successful.

  1. The Three Parts of a Plot

    1. A plot should have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
    2. The plot should be worked out from the first to the last scene.
    3. The climax should be the big situation.

  2. The Conflict and Resolution

    1. The plot should have a clear conflict.
    2. The resolution should be clear.
    3. The resolution should be satisfying.

  3. The Central Event

    1. The plot should have a central event or “punch” that drives the story forward.
    2. The climax should be the biggest and most exciting moment in the story.
    3. The scenario should be well-planned from beginning to end, with each scene leading logically to the next.

  4. Following the Plot

    1. The plot should be easy to follow, from the first scene to the last.
    2. The plot should have a “punch” – a big, exciting situation that drives the story forward.

How to Write a Screenplay

Key Idea: A story must have both punch and action to be successful.

Summary: The punch of a story is its most important element, as it is the heart, lungs and vitals of the scenario. Action is also essential in developing the plot and scenes. Therefore, it is important to have both punch and action in a story.

  1. The Importance of Punch

    1. Punch is the heart of your scenario – it is what gives your story life.
    2. Action is the motive of screen pictures and is essential in developing your scenes.

  2. The Importance of Action

    1. Action is essential to developing scenes in a screenplay.
    2. Without action, a screenplay will not be successful.
    3. Action is the key element to creating a successful film.

  3. Establishing the Characters

    1. You must introduce the hero and the villain early on in the story.
    2. You must familiarize your audience with the characters and their environment.
    3. You must know when and how to introduce the heroine.

  4. Familiarizing the Audience with the Hero and Villain

    1. It is important to introduce the hero, villain, and all other characters early on in the story in order to familiarize the audience with them.
    2. It is also important to establish the characters in their proper environments in order to give the audience a better understanding of them.

How to Write a Scenario

Key Idea: Your story must be believable. It must have a human interest angle that will make it of interest to the scenario editor and to the audience for whom it has been written.

Summary: The scenario editor wants a story with real human interest, something that carries an appeal by the very reason of its heart interest.

  1. The Importance of a Scenario

    1. A scenario is a story outline for a film, play, or other work of fiction.
    2. It is important to make the characters in a scenario as realistic as possible.
    3. Dialogue is not necessary, but can often add to the realism of a scenario.

  2. Making a Scenario Realistic

    1. The plot should be interesting and have human interest.
    2. The dialogue should be realistic and add to the scenario.

  3. The Role of Dialogue in a Scenario

    1. Dialogue is not essential for a scenario, but can add to the realism of the story.
    2. Realism is important for a scenario to be successful.
    3. Dialogue can help to emphasize an important scene.

  4. Keeping a Scenario Concise

    1. A scenario should be concise, without too many unnecessary details.
    2. A scenario should be realistic, with believable characters and events.

How to Write a Movie Script

Key Idea: You should not try to cram too much action into your scenes. A good rule of thumb for writing action scenes is to keep them to five or six lines per page, so that they are easy to follow and the reader does not get lost in the details.

Summary: Most movie script writers have their own way of developing scenes. I have read over 50,000 scenarios, and I find that many writers will give a detailed description of the surroundings and characteristics of each character. Others will state only the necessary information about each scene. It is best to find a balance between too much and too little information.

  1. The Importance of Reading Movie Scripts

  2. The Various Methods of Writing Movie Scripts

    3. The author suggests that writers strike a happy medium between too much and too little scenic action.

  3. The Ideal Amount of Scenic Action

    1. The author believes that it is a good idea to have neither too much nor too little scenic action.
    2. The author believes that striking a happy medium is the key to writing a successful script.

  4. The Best Movie Script Writers

    1. The author has criticized scripts written by some of the best known movie script writers.
    2. The author finds that most movie script writers have an individual method of evolving their scenes.

The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep

Key Idea: Your climax should be the result of the coming together of two distinct plot threads; this can be a difficult task to accomplish, but it can result in a more impactful and satisfying climax.

Summary: The writer mentioned is skilled in taking two separate plot threads and weaving them together to create a single, impactful climax; this is not an easy feat, but with years of practice, the writer has perfected the art.

  1. Approaching the Climax with Two Plots

    2. The writer always approaches his climax with two plots.

  2. Weaving the Two Threads Together

    3. The writer has had many years of experience as a professional writer.

  3. The Trained Workman

    1. The writer is a trained workman.
    2. The writer has many years of experience.
    3. The writer is skilled at weaving together two distinct plot threads into a single, cohesive climax.

  4. Forming the Climax

    1. It is difficult to form a climax out of two distinct threads.
    2. Few writers can successfully accomplish this task.

How to Write a Scenario

Key Idea: You can’t tell how many scenes are in a reel.

Summary: One of the most popular questions among amateur screenwriters is “How many scenes to a reel?” The answer to this question depends entirely on the length of the scenes. A reel is typically about 10 minutes long, so the number of scenes in a reel will depend on how long each scene is.

  1. The Number of Scenes in a Reel

    1. There is no set number of scenes that constitute a reel.
    2. The number of scenes depends on their length.
    3. Your production must have “punch.”

  2. The Importance of Plot

    1. A scenario should have an important plot.
    2. The plot should be interesting and worthy of the editor’s attention.
    3. The scenario should have “punch” and be able to hold the audience’s attention.

  3. The Production Must be Interesting

    4. The production must have “punch.”

  4. Using Common Sense

    5. It is important to use common sense when writing a scenario.

The Importance of the Cut Back in Film

Key Idea: The cut back is a device used to intensify the plot.

Summary: The cut back is a technique used in movies to add suspense or surprise to a scene. It is a scene that has been shown before, usually one that is important to the plot.

  1. The Importance of the Cut Back

    2. The cut back is used to “get over” a difficult scene.

  2. The Use of the Cut Back

  3. The Cut Back as a Tool for Intensifying the Plot

    1. The cut back refers to some particular scene that has gone before.
    2. The interest and suspense of the audience is intensified by using the cut back.
    3. Later, the cut back was used to give added surprise and intensity to the plot.

  4. The Significance of the Cut Back

    1. The cut back is a device used to create suspense and interest in a story by referring back to a previous scene.
    2. The cut back can be used to intensify the plot by adding surprise or intensity to the story.

The Cut Back: A Film Editing Technique

Key Idea: A film is composed of a series of shots, and that the editing process is what determines the order in which those shots are seen by the audience.

Summary: The cut back is a film technique that was introduced by Griffith, the master producer. It is a way of flashing from one scene to another, by a series of short scenes, which enables the audience to see the hero and heroine simultaneously and enjoy every emotion of the characters.

  1. The Introduction of the Cut Back

    2. The cut back is a film editing technique that was first introduced by producer D.W.

  2. The Benefits of the Cut Back

    3. The cut back allows for the audience to see different scenes from the film simultaneously.

  3. The Emotional Impact of the Cut Back

    1. This technique was first introduced by master producer D.W.
    2. Griffith.
    3. The cut back allows viewers to experience the emotions of the characters more fully.

  4. The Importance of the Cut Back

    1. The cut back is a technique used by film editors to create a more dynamic and engaging story.
    2. The cut back enables viewers to see the different emotions of the characters almost simultaneously.

The New School of Motion Picture Acting

Key Idea: The single most important factor in motion picture acting is the ability to project emotion.

Summary: In the past, scenes in movies were shown very briefly, often with little time for the actors to show their emotions. Today, directors are more likely to allow longer scenes so that the actors can show their acting skills.

  1. The New School of Motion Picture Acting

  2. The Flashes or Cut Backs

    3. The flashes or cut backs are still used when necessary, but not to the entire exclusion of longer scenes.

  3. In the Old Days

    1. In the old days, scenes were flashed on the screen very quickly, which often resulted in the loss of important details in the acting.
    2. Today, directors are more likely to give actors time to properly execute their scenes, in order to avoid losing important details.

  4. Today

    1. A sensible director will give the actor time to act out his scenes.
    2. This allows the actor to work his emotions up to the proper pitch.

The Benefits of Longer Scenes in Films

Key Idea: The single most important factor in a film’s success is its story.

Summary: In an interview, actor Francis X. Bushman discusses his preference for longer scenes in movies. He cites the ease and freedom from hurry that seem to prevail in big budget productions as his reasoning.

  1. The Actor’s Preference

    2. Francis X. Bushman played the lead in Graustark.

  2. The Longer Scenes

  3. More Emotion

    1. He was an advocate of extended scenic action.
    2. He expressed himself strongly on the subject.

  4. The Shorter Scenes

    1. Francis X. Bushman felt that the longer scenes allowed for more emotion and depth.
    2. He felt that the shorter scenes were more rushed and didn’t allow for the same level of connection with the audience.

Why Movie Scripts Should Not Be Rushed

Key Idea: A movie script writer needs to be able to put in detail and business in order to do justice to the emotions of the characters on the screen.

Summary: A man who is trying to sell a house will not be successful if he demands the money from the buyer before they are interested. In the same way, a movie script writer cannot portray their emotions in a shorter time than it would take for the event to actually happen.

  1. The Importance of Realism in Movie Scripts

    1. The author believes that emotions should be portrayed realistically.
    2. The author is a noted playwright who has recently joined the ranks of movie script writers.

  2. The Playwright Who Became a Movie Script Writer

    1. The playwright-turned-movie-script-writer is known for his lengthy and detailed scenarios.
    2. The author has first-hand knowledge of the playwright’s work, as he is acquainted with him.
    3. The playwright’s recent transition into movie script writing is relatively recent.

  3. The Conciseness of Movie Scripts

    1. The author believes that movie scripts should be concise and to the point.
    2. The author believes that movie scripts should not be overly long or detailed.
    3. The author believes that movie scripts should be able to capture the emotions of the characters and the story.

  4. The Freedom of Movie Script Writers

    1. The author believes that movie script writers should be given the freedom to add detail and business to their scripts.
    2. The author believes that this will allow for more accurate portrayals of emotions on screen.

The Importance of Following the Rule of Thumb for Experienced Writers

Key Idea: A man is not permitted to enter a room and be seated without an explanation preceding his entrance.

Summary: A man should not enter a room and sit down without first explaining why he is there.

  1. The Importance of Explaining Your Purpose

    1. A man is not allowed to enter a room and sit down without first explaining why he is there.
    2. This rule is meant for experienced writers, not amateurs.
    3. Breaking this rule can result in the editor becoming irritated and the producer becoming angry.

  2. The Dangers of Meaningless Action

    1. Amateurs should not try to write detailed scenarios.
    2. If they do, they will likely use meaningless action that will annoy the editor and producer.
    3. This rule is especially important for experienced writers.

  3. The Consequences of Breaking the Rule

    1. The rule is for experienced writers and is meant to avoid meaningless action.
    2. Breaking the rule will likely result in negative consequences.

The Cut Back: A Movie Scriptwriting Technique

Key Idea: The single most important fact is the one that is most important to the story. The most important plot point is the one that will have the most impact on the characters and the plot. The single most important fact is often the one that is most surprising or unexpected. It is the one that changes everything. It is the one that makes the story more interesting, more exciting, more suspenseful, or more tragic. Sometimes the single most important fact is something that is not immediately apparent. The story’s true nature is gradually revealed to the characters and audience through clues and events that must be pieced together. Other times, the single most important fact is something that is blatantly obvious from the very beginning. It is something that the characters (and the audience) are fully aware of from the start. However, it is only at the end of the story that the true significance of this fact is revealed. The single most important fact can be anything from the identity of the killer in a mystery story to the true nature of the relationship between two characters. It can be a secret, a lie, a revelation, or a discovery. It can be something that is good, bad, or neutral. The most important fact is the one that is most important to the story. The most important plot point is the one that will have the most impact on the characters and the plot.

Summary: The cut back is a technique used by movie script writers to add suspense to a story. The flashback technique can be very effective in creating suspense by allowing the writer to return to a previous scene or character.

  1. The Cut Back: A Type of Scene Transition

    2. The cut back is a type of scene transition in which the story returns to a previous scene or location.

  2. Adding Zest to Your Story

    3. The cut back is one of the most effective means of producing suspense.

  3. Using It Sparingly

    1. The cut back is an effective means of creating suspense.
    2. The cut back should be used sparingly, and only when it is truly needed.

  4. Creating Suspense in Your Movie Script

    1. The cut back can be used to create suspense by returning to an interesting situation or character.
    2. The cut back is also effective in adding zest to a story.