The Screenwriter's Problem Solver

1. Screenwriting is a visual medium: Show, don't tell

A screenplay is a story told with pictures, in dialogue and description, and placed within the context of dramatic structure.

Visual storytelling is key. In screenwriting, the goal is to create a vivid, visual experience for the audience. Instead of relying on lengthy explanations or internal monologues, screenwriters must find ways to convey information, emotions, and character development through actions, expressions, and visual cues. This approach engages the audience more effectively and takes full advantage of the cinematic medium.

Examples of visual storytelling:

• Using a character's body language to reveal their emotional state
• Employing symbolic imagery to represent themes or character arcs
• Crafting scenes that show relationships and conflicts without explicit dialogue
• Utilizing visual transitions to connect scenes and convey the passage of time

2. Structure is the foundation of screenwriting

Structure is the foundation of screenwriting. The word itself means "to build, or put together," so when you start structuring your script, you're building and putting scenes, sequences, and acts together into a unified whole with a definite beginning, middle, and end, though not necessarily in that order.

The three-act structure provides a solid framework for most screenplays. Act I sets up the story, characters, and conflict. Act II develops the conflict and raises the stakes. Act III resolves the conflict and brings the story to a satisfying conclusion. Within this structure, screenwriters can incorporate plot points, pinches, and a midpoint to keep the story moving forward and maintain audience engagement.

Key structural elements:

• Inciting incident: The event that sets the story in motion
• Plot points: Major turning points that drive the story in new directions
• Midpoint: A significant event or revelation at the center of the story
• Climax: The highest point of tension and conflict resolution
• Resolution: The aftermath and conclusion of the story

3. Character development is crucial for engaging scripts

What is character but the determination of incident? And what is incident but the illumination of character?

Characters drive the story. Well-developed characters are essential for creating engaging screenplays. They should have clear goals, motivations, and conflicts that propel the narrative forward. Character arcs – the transformation or growth of characters throughout the story – provide depth and emotional resonance for the audience.

Elements of strong character development:

• Dramatic need: What the character wants to achieve or overcome
• Point of view: The character's unique perspective on the world
• Attitude: The character's typical behavior and reactions
• Change: How the character grows or transforms throughout the story
• Backstory: Relevant past experiences that shape the character's present actions

4. Dialogue should serve a purpose and reveal character

The function of dialogue, remember, is simple; dialogue either moves the story forward or reveals information about the character.

Purposeful dialogue enhances the script. Every line of dialogue should contribute to the story or character development. Avoid expository dialogue that merely explains plot points or character backgrounds. Instead, use dialogue to reveal character traits, advance the plot, create conflict, or provide subtext.

Techniques for effective dialogue:

• Use distinct voices for each character
• Incorporate subtext to add depth to conversations
• Show character relationships through their interactions
• Use dialect or speech patterns to reveal background or personality
• Employ silence or pauses for dramatic effect

5. Enter scenes late and exit early for maximum impact

Enter late and get out early. It makes for a good reading experience, as well as moving the story forward.

Efficiency in scene construction keeps the story moving and maintains audience engagement. By entering scenes at the last possible moment and leaving as soon as the scene's purpose is fulfilled, screenwriters can create a sense of momentum and avoid unnecessary exposition or filler content.

Benefits of entering late and exiting early:

• Increases pacing and maintains tension
• Focuses on the most dramatic or important moments
• Reduces the risk of redundant information
• Encourages the audience to make connections and inferences
• Creates a more dynamic and engaging reading experience

6. Set up and pay off story elements effectively

Setting up and paying off story points is integral to the art and craft of screenwriting. Every scene, every sequence, every Plot Point and story point, must be set up, established, and then, at the right moment, paid off.

Plant and payoff is a crucial technique in screenwriting. By introducing elements early in the story and paying them off later, screenwriters can create a sense of cohesion and satisfaction for the audience. This technique can apply to plot points, character traits, or even small details that become significant later in the story.

Examples of effective set-ups and pay-offs:

• Introducing a character's skill that becomes crucial in the climax
• Planting a seemingly insignificant object that later plays a pivotal role
• Foreshadowing future events through dialogue or visual cues
• Establishing a character flaw that must be overcome for success

7. Action sequences require balance and character integration

Action is defined in the dictionary as "a movement or a series of movements," or "the state of being in motion," so film, a medium that moves at twenty-four frames per second, is a natural medium for "showing" action.

Balanced action keeps audiences engaged. While action sequences are exciting and visually appealing, they must be balanced with character development and plot progression to maintain audience interest. Action should reveal character traits, advance the story, or raise the stakes of the conflict.

Tips for writing effective action sequences:

• Integrate character moments within the action
• Use action to reveal character traits or relationships
• Vary the pacing and intensity of action scenes
• Ensure that action sequences have clear stakes and consequences
• Use descriptive, concise language to convey the energy of the scene

8. Conflict drives the story forward

All drama is conflict; without conflict you have no action; without action you have no character; without character you have no story. And without story, you have no screenplay.

Conflict is the engine of storytelling. Without conflict, there is no drama, and the story becomes stagnant. Conflict can be external (between characters or against external forces) or internal (within the character's own mind or emotions). By creating and escalating conflicts throughout the screenplay, writers keep the audience engaged and invested in the outcome.

Types of conflict to incorporate:

• Character vs. character
• Character vs. society
• Character vs. nature
• Character vs. technology
• Character vs. self (internal conflict)

9. Subtext adds depth and dimension to scenes

Subtext should, if possible, become a major part of each scene.

Subtext enriches the viewing experience. By incorporating subtext – the underlying meanings or emotions that are not explicitly stated – screenwriters can add depth to their scenes and characters. Subtext allows for more nuanced performances and engages the audience on a deeper level by encouraging them to read between the lines.

Ways to incorporate subtext:

• Create contrast between what characters say and what they do
• Use symbolic actions or objects to represent deeper meanings
• Employ silence or body language to convey unspoken thoughts
• Develop layered dialogue with multiple interpretations
• Create situations where characters have hidden agendas or motivations

10. Rewriting is an essential part of the screenwriting process

Writing is rewriting is the old adage, and it's true. You may not like the rewriting process, but it is a process, and that means it continually changes from day to day.

Embrace the rewriting process. First drafts are rarely perfect, and the art of screenwriting lies in the ability to revise and refine the script. Rewriting allows writers to strengthen character arcs, tighten plot structures, improve dialogue, and enhance the overall quality of the screenplay.

Approaches to effective rewriting:

• Take breaks between drafts to gain fresh perspective
• Focus on specific aspects (e.g., dialogue, structure, character) in each pass
• Seek feedback from trusted readers or writing groups
• Be willing to cut or change elements that don't serve the story
• Continuously ask if each scene moves the story forward or reveals character

Last updated: August 12, 2024