How to Structure a Screenplay/Script

 How to Structure a Screenplay/Script

Many years ago, I was encouraged to take an online course offered by Syd Field, one of the most talented screenplay/scriptwriters in Hollywood. It was through that course that I learned the best way to structure a script. Allow me to teach you what I learned.

Mr. Fields started off the course by explaining that a screenplay or script has a beginning, middle, and end to the storyline, but there were a few other things to know and understand in how to tell the story. You have to have what is known as the catalyst, your first plot point, after your middle or midpoint you have despair, then your redemption, and ultimately the end of the story. Allow me to explain each in greater detail.

The beginning of the story is also known as your setup! This is where you give a visual and emotional introduction to your story and characters along with the reason for the story. This should happen in the first 10-15 pages of your script. The audience doesn’t know what the twists will be yet, but if you hold their attention long enough and then shock them when you introduce that plot twist, you’ll have them eating out of your hand as they sit perched on the edge of their seat.

During the first act, the first third of your script is known as you will have what is known as the catalyst happen. This is also known as the inciting incident, or the call to action that sends your protagonist into action. It can be a small piece of information that helps your main character investigate the event that happened or leads them to find out the rest of the story.

Then you have what is known as the Plot Point one which is your first twist at the end of act one where your main character or hero finds their first turning point in your story and begins the second act. Once your main character decides to take on issues at this point there’s no turning back for them. It will either help them or destroy them, but they must go forward.

At the midpoint of your screenplay/script, your viewers find out what truly is at stake and wonder how it could impact your main character, and the true drama begins. Your main character is facing obstacles, potential subplots, and other conflicting issues that threaten your main character or hero in your story. This is when your audience begins to either root for the hero or condemn the evil one in the story. Your subplot could be a red herring or another storyline that impacts the main character in the redemption phase of the storyline.

By this point in the story, your heroes have lost all hope, and they find themselves in Despair in your story. The conflict becomes much stronger at this point as Act 2 begins to end.

Act 3 begins with your main character creating a winning plan to combat the conflict within their life and they are resilient in their efforts to solve the mystery within the story. This is also when they decide it’s up to them to fight for the rights of the characters that they wish to save. This is also known as the redemption aspect of your story.

The final aspect of your script or screenplay wraps up the story and your third act. By this time in your story, your character should have come to a resolution and concluded with an overarching plot that could become a sequel to your first script. Now mind you not every screenplay or script has to have a happy ending, but you could leave it with a cliffhanger of sorts to ensure you can write a second screenplay and continue with the same characters but with a different storyline.

 

Artist and Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a master’s in criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.

 

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