How to write a script outline that saves you months of rewriting.
The outline of writing a script is probably most important Preparatory steps you can take as a writer.
It saves you from having to come back and fix something in the script Could have been fixed earlier-Basic things, like the basic question of the second act. Or a false three-way triangle conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist and the characters at stake.
In this article, we’ll show you how to write a screenplay outline and figure out all the character motivations and plot points forward Write a script.
In other words, how do you first figure out your story? and Then Convert it into script form. All of this may save you months of rewrites and frustration. So let’s get started.
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Why writing a screenplay outline is so important.
The movie is essentially a story. The blueprint for this story is the script. But the blueprint for the script was the outline of the movie. In other words, the story breaks down better than the prose that makes up the script.
Therefore, most professional writers’ process for writing a screenplay goes something like this:
Story Ideas > Notes > Script Outline > Script
(Some writers also like to add script treatment before or after the outline.)
There is nowhere to hide the story in the synopsis of the film. Without the distractions of dialogue and format, a movie synopsis will either interest the reader or not.
If you read it aloud to someone, they should be able to understand that this is a fully realized, understandable story. If your story doesn’t interest people in prose form, it’s unlikely to interest people in a screenplay.
But what about Tarantino? He was too lazy to write an outline of the script.
Some may ask, why don’t famous writers like Quentin Tarantino or the Coen Brothers bother writing movie script outlines?
Granted, some professional writers jump right into writing a screenplay with only the outline of a screenplay outline. Or not at all. Or a mixture of both.
Screenwriter Judd Apatow had this to say about the subject:
“There are some simple theories about writing. One of them I read in a book was the ‘down/up’ theory: Put it down, then fix it. You can’t do both at the same time. You give yourself the freedom to write without judging it, and then choose another time to judge it.
Apatow calls this “ “vomit draft.” It’s basically the equivalent of having an idea for a movie and running it. The goal is to “just get it out there” and finish it without editing as you go, without judgment.
We’re not saying this is a “bad” approach, as there is no “correct” way to write scripts. What we’re trying to say is that writers using this approach might be minority.
Above all, we recommend forgetting what Quentin Tarantino or Judd Apatow or any other writer has done. You are not them. Who are you you. so Find what works best for you——Whether it’s completing a script in three days, or spending six months perfecting a movie outline.
How to Write a Screenplay Outline.
The best way to learn how to write a screenplay outline is to Existing movies. You’ll learn a lot about story, structure, scenes, beats, and more by outlining your screenplay while watching a ton of movies.
The process simply involves writing out an outline of the movie’s script, scene by scene, as you watch it, and then breaking it down into actions, sequences, and clips.
this is a priceless exercise We can’t stress enough the benefits it can give you in understanding what a good story is. Here’s how to do it:
Step #1. Choose a movie to outline.
We recommend sticking to movies in your favorite genre so you can really become familiar with its conventions. Also, choose post-1990 Hollywood movies, as these are usually easier to break down.
Filmmaking conventions have changed, such as the length of time it takes to prepare a first act, so it’s often best to stay as up-to-date as possible.
Step #2. Just write down the key points of each scene.
When you watch a movie, just write down what you see on your laptop. This should be a Brief summary Each scene unfolds on the screen.
Sentences should be short, to the point, describe only the basics of what happened, and avoid irrelevant details. You may find it hard to keep up at first, but your speed will improve the more you do it.
Here is an example script outline:
Let’s take a look at classic comedy, There’s something about Maryas an example script outline. Watch the scene where Ted is interrogated by the police for a highway murder, then read our summary of scenes from the film.
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Here’s how to write this scene in a script outline:
At the police station, Ted is interrogated by two police officers. They think he’s a serial killer, but Ted thinks he was caught hitchhiking. One police officer banged his head on a table.
It’s always a good idea to start with a location, such as “at the police station” to establish the scene. only main beat of the scene Audio recording is required, so you shouldn’t write anything about what someone is wearing, for example, unless it’s important to the story.
Write out what happens in each scene and by the end of the movie you should have an outline of the script Three to five pages long.
Below you will find a complete script outline sample pdf The Bourne Identity You can download it. This will give you an idea of what the finished product should look like before it’s broken down into actions and sequences.
download The Bourne Identity Script Outline Template >>
Step #3. Break down your screenplay outline.
The next stage is to examine exactly how the story works and comes together. This means breaking down your outline, paying attention to main plot points Along the way.
First break it into three acts. Then break down the three acts into seven or eight sequences. Each sequence is then divided into three segments, or “mini-movements.” You can also include major plot points: inciting incident, call to action, midpoint, etc.
These big plot points should be easy to add to your outline, as they’re usually pretty obvious in most Hollywood movies. (We cover how to write a screenplay outline in more detail in our book Master Screenplay Sequences and our online screenplay writing course Script Hackr.)
It is not difficult to see that the midpoint Lost Ark GuideFor example, Indy and Marion were thrown into the Well of Souls, and the Nazis stole the Ark.
Or the end of the second act (500) summer It’s the “Expectations vs. Reality” montage, where Tom realizes that Summer is engaged.
read it (500) summer Script outline >>
Script outline practice exercises.
Another good exercise is to get a copy of the movie, greenbergand then write an outline of the script.
Then break it down into actions, sequences, and moments, and compare what you have to the sample screenplay outline below.
download Greenberg Script Outline Template >>
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How to Write a Screenplay Outline: Conclusion.
Many of the scripts we receive require extensive rewriting. But these problems can often be avoided if the author takes the time focus on story Before writing the script. And write a screenplay outline that captures the main thread of the story from A to B.
Not only that, writing a screenplay outline can actually help you write faster. It helps you become a writing machine capable of churning out three (or more) scripts a year, rather than going back and forth to solve basic problems in one script.
Yes, any script needs to go through multiple rewrites before you know if it’s good enough to be sent to industry. But first identify the focus of the story and characters so you can potentially avoid unnecessary rewrites.
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Do you write an outline of a script before you start writing it? Or do you just start writing the script and let your imagination dictate how the story unfolds? Let us know what your preferred method is in the comments below.
Like this article? Read more about how to outline and plot a screenplay.
How to use the script analysis worksheet to complete Bulletproof Act 1
How to Write a Story Synopsis: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
High Concept: What it is and how to apply it to your story ideas
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