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Screenplay Basic

This document outlines essential rules and tips for screenplay writing, emphasizing the importance of visual storytelling, proper formatting, and character development. It highlights common mistakes to avoid and suggests habits for effective writing. The document concludes with a simple screenplay structure and a golden rule for creating a strong screenplay.

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nishanthkrishnan195
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3 views4 pages

Screenplay Basic

This document outlines essential rules and tips for screenplay writing, emphasizing the importance of visual storytelling, proper formatting, and character development. It highlights common mistakes to avoid and suggests habits for effective writing. The document concludes with a simple screenplay structure and a golden rule for creating a strong screenplay.

Uploaded by

nishanthkrishnan195
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Screenplay Writing
BASIC RULES

1) Show, Don’t Tell

❌
●​ Write what can be seen or heard

✅
●​ “He feels sad”
●​ “He stares at the floor, eyes wet”

2) Use Proper Format

●​ Scene heading (INT/EXT + place + time)


●​ Action lines
●​ Character name (centered)
●​ Dialogue

3) One Scene = One Purpose

●​ Every scene must:


○​ Move the story.
○​ Develop character depth.

4) Keep It Visual

●​ Cinema = images
●​ Write actions, not explanations

5) Write in Present Tense

❌ “He walked into the room”


✅ “He walks into the room”
●​
●​

6) Short & Clear Sentences

●​ Easy to read = easy to shoot


●​ Avoid long paragraphs

7) Character Goal is Important

●​ Every main character must:


○​ want something
○​ face obstacles
8) Conflict Drives Story

●​ No conflict = no story
●​ Every scene needs tension

9) Natural Dialogue

●​ Sounds like real people


●​ Avoid over-explaining

10) Keep It Tight

●​ Cut unnecessary words


●​ Respect reader’s time

DO (Important Habits)

●​ Write daily (even small scenes)


●​ Observe real life (dialogue, behavior)
●​ Rewrite and edit multiple times
●​ Think visually before writing
●​ Focus on character emotions

DON’T (Common Mistakes)

●​ Don’t write like a novel


●​ Don’t over-describe details
●​ Don’t force messages
●​ Don’t use too many characters
●​ Don’t write unrealistic dialogue
●​ Don’t skip structure

SIMPLE SCREENPLAY STRUCTURE

1.​ Beginning → Setup


2.​ Middle → Conflict
3.​ End → Resolution

GOLDEN RULE

Clarity + Emotion + Conflict = Strong Screenplay

A good script is not read… it is seen in the mind like a film

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