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Whether you’re dreaming of seeing your story on the big screen or bringing it to life in a short film, writing a script is an exciting journey.
But it can also be a daunting journey if you’re new to screenwriting. The film industry has lots of industry jargon and confusing rules, and it can be hard to know how to get started.
So, how exactly do you write a script?
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of writing a script in ten simple steps.
What Is a Script?
A script is a written document that tells a story for film. You can think of a script as a blueprint that guides directors, actors, and crew members in bringing the narrative to life.
Scripts are more than just dialogue; they include directions for movements, expressions, settings, and even camera angles. This comprehensive approach ensures that everyone involved understands your vision for the story, even if you’re not there to explain it in person.
The 10 Steps for Writing a Script
With enough practice and dedication, anyone can write a script. Here’s our ten-step guide to writing a fantastic screenplay.
Step 1: Brainstorm Your Concept
Start by brainstorming your film concept. What kind of story do you want to tell?
You can approach brainstorming from a lot of different angles. You might start with a character idea, an idea for a specific scene, or even an entire plot arc.
Most importantly, think about what matters to you. Make sure you’re telling a story that you really want to tell.
Step 2: Find the Perfect Logline
A logline is a one-sentence pitch of your story concept. Ideally, it should be designed to feel intriguing—the kind of sentence that would make you think, "Wow, I want to watch that movie."
Knowing your logline will help you later, when you’ll need to pitch your film to agents, producers, directors, and actors. But it will also help you in the short term because it will give you a north star to follow while you’re outlining and drafting.
Step 3: Develop Your Characters
Compelling characters are the heart of any good script.
A well-developed character should be like an iceberg, with lots of depth hiding beneath the surface. Make sure your characters have well-defined goals, needs, and arcs.
Also, because film is such a dialogue-focused medium, it’s important to understand not just how your characters look but also how they sound. Give each character a unique voice that pops off the page.
Step 4: Construct an Outline
Once you have your logline and characters, it’s time to create a one-page or two-page outline, or "beat sheet," that serves as a road map for your script. This will help you stay organized and ensure your story flows logically.
Most modern scripts follow a three-act structure, with specific "beats" to hit at specific points throughout the story, such as the inciting incident, the midpoint, and the climax. In your outline, you should describe each of your beats in one or two sentences.
Step 5: Develop a Treatment
A treatment is a more detailed version of an outline—more like a short story than a script. It lets you bring your story to life in a more nuanced way.
This is your chance to figure out how your story unfolds, scene-to-scene, without worrying about formatting. Figure out what types of settings you want to use, what the core conflict is in each scene, and how your characters look and sound throughout the story.
Step 6: Write the First Draft
Using your treatment as a guide, it’s time to write the first draft of your script. A standard full-length script should be about 90–100 pages.
At this stage, focus on getting your ideas down on paper without worrying too much about perfection. Let your creativity flow, and don’t get bogged down by formatting.
You can use ProWritingAid’s dialogue generator to come up with new dialogue ideas if you’re feeling stuck. But always refer back to your logline to make sure you’re staying true to the core of your story.
Step 7: Format Your Script
Once you have a first draft, make sure your script is formatted according to industry standards.
Use screenwriting software like Final Draft or Celtx to help with formatting. Many of these software programs are free, and they’ll save you a lot of time in the scriptwriting process.
Step 8: Revise Your Script
Revise your script based on the feedback you received. Focus on tightening the plot, enhancing character development, and ensuring a smooth flow.
Whenever possible, keep it concise. Scripts are meant to be read quickly and efficiently by busy professionals. Keep your writing clear and concise, avoiding unnecessary details or lengthy descriptions.
You can use an editing software like ProWritingAid to get an unbiased analysis of your text. ProWritingAid even integrates into your favorite screenwriting software, like Final Draft or Scrivener, making it easy to incorporate into your writing process.
Step 9: Seek Feedback
Most scripts require many rounds of feedback before they reach their final form. But after one or two rounds of revision, it can be hard to assess your work with an objective eye.
At this stage, it’s time to share your script with trusted friends, peers, or mentors. Ask for honest feedback, and be open to their suggestions. Use this feedback to make more revisions and improvements while staying true to your own vision for the story.
Step 10: Proofread
Before submitting your script to industry professionals, proofread it carefully. Check for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors.
A polished script demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail. You don’t want to let basic errors get in the way of a reader falling in love with your story.
Tips for How to Write a Successful Script
You can write a good script simply by following those ten steps, but there’s a lot more to the art of screenwriting than that. Here are our top tips for how to take your script from good to great.
Tip 1: Study Story Structure
Story structure is a craft that can be learned.
Start by watching your favorite movies and taking notes on what you like and don’t like about them. Intentionally analyze the way your favorite films handle dialogue, character, setting, and atmosphere.
Better yet, read the scripts for your favorite movies so you can see what they look like in written form as well as on the screen. What makes good movies good, and how can you apply those lessons to your own writing?
You can also read screenwriting craft books, like Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat!, which provides a full beat sheet mapper to help you construct your outlines.
Tip 2: Understand Script Format
Scriptwriting has a specific format that sets it apart from other forms of writing.
Familiarize yourself with industry-standard formatting, which includes elements like scene headings, action lines, character names, and dialogue formatting.
For example, when you’re introducing a character for the first time with an action distribute, you should capitalize their name and include a description of their key traits. There are many other rules you’ll need to learn in order to write high-quality scripts.
Tip 3: Refine Your Dialogue
The dialogue in your script should sound natural. Avoid exposition-heavy lines and focus on how characters speak in real life.
You can read your dialogue out loud, or have a friend read it with you, to ensure it sounds authentic.
It’s also important to keep dialogue concise. Cut any unnecessary lines, and focus on making your dialogue engaging and purposeful.
Tip 4: Show, Don’t Tell
Film is a visual medium, so focus on showing the story through actions and images rather than relying too heavily on dialogue or voiceovers.
Use descriptive action lines to paint a vivid picture of what’s happening on screen. Whenever possible, show the viewer what’s happening rather than telling it to them with words.
Tip 5: Consider Real-World Constraints
If your goal is to see your film on a screen someday, it helps to think about real-world constraints.
If you’re planning to shoot the film yourself, you should consider what kinds of sets you have access to and how big your budget is.
If you’re planning to sell your script to a studio, take a look at what kinds of movies are doing well in theaters or on the film festival circuit. Try to balance artistic vision with commercial viability.
Conclusion on Scriptwriting
Writing a script is a journey that combines creativity, technical skill, and perseverance. By following these tips and steps, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a compelling and well-structured script.
Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and let your unique voice shine through.
Don’t forget to edit your script with ProWritingAid before you submit it to studios, to give it the best chance of success.
Good luck, and happy writing!
