14 Day Screenplay

Act 1

So now you know the basic premise of your story and it’s time to lay out the events that are going to unfold. Start to tell the story, in broad events. Write down the events that you know have to happen to tell your story. Think about what you need to develop the plot, the conflict and the characters. Does the story make sense? Are there obvious turning points in the story where the conflict really begins then where it escalates? Which bit gets the hero up the tree? Which part starts him coming down? Are you throwing enough rocks at him? To help explain how we will lay this out I got a useful beat sheet from Adam, who got the ideas from http://www.blakesnyder.com/ For this example the script’s final length will be 110 pages. These are all approximates but try to stick close to them. In a film script each pages represents approximately a minute of screen time which is how this plays out. Today we’ll lay out the first act.

Act 2

Only a little bit over a week to plan out your screenplay and get ready before it begins. I kinda wish it was a month later because I was just starting to get into my novel, but this will be fun. A good kick in the pants, then hopefully I’ll already be writing one next year when this comes around. Knowing my personality I’ll probably put aside whatever I am in the middle of again and go for it anyway.

Act 3

Act three, the end of the film. This is the part the viewer has been waiting for. They have endured all the character development and exposition for this final payoff. Leave them satisfied and they will love you, disappoint them and you will be crucified. Tough crowd.