Structure is a pivotal part of any screenwriting endeavor, guiding the writer to the finish line with some help. No matter your genre, plot, or theme, there are general rules and advice on how to get your thoughts to paper and create the most captivating story. Sure, you don't want to pigeonhole yourself into only following screenwriting rules, but the advice is there for a reason.
Nevertheless, let's discuss how to structure a screenplay with five essential elements. We'll also go over screenplay basics, which is pivotal to getting the screenplay to a legible point. Remember that there's plenty related to structuring a screenplay, so keep watching, reading, and learning to help with your writing.
Photo credit: The Actors Pulse
Knowing Screenplay Basics
Every script follows the same core structure, regardless of genre or style. These elements guide the reader in understanding who is speaking, what actions are taking place, and when, where, and how the events unfold.
While film and television screenplays use similar formatting, they adhere to distinct structures. Scripts have a clear beginning, middle, and end, presenting a complete narrative within a single script. In contrast, T.V. show screenplays are episodic, with each episode featuring its own self-contained story that contributes to the overall series arc.
Although individual television episodes are typically shorter than film screenplays, T.V. shows have more opportunities to explore subplots and character development over multiple episodes. Unlike film franchises, which can develop characters and subplots across several films, television shows gradually build their narratives and characters within the series.
Regardless, a few basics to understand include:
Heading
Screenplays written in master scene format are organized into scenes rather than cuts. Headings are written in caps and begin with either "INT" (interior) or "EXT" (exterior), followed by the location and a designation of "DAY" or "NIGHT."
Action
The next element is the action, describing what is visible or audible in the scene. Significant sound effects that occur off-screen should be written in ALL CAPS.
Characters
Character names are written on their line in ALL CAPS. If a character is speaking off-screen or in voiceover, this should be indicated by "O.S." or "V.O." next to their name.
Parentheticals
Parentheticals provide brief context or direction for dialogue delivery. They should be used sparingly to maintain the script's readability.
Dialogue
Dialogue blocks are distinct from other elements and are centered on the page. Overlapping or parallel dialogue is formatted in side-by-side blocks.
Transition
The final element is the scene transition. Like parentheticals, transitions should be used sparingly to prioritize the script’s readability.
1. Setup
The opening of your first act establishes the foundation of your film. It introduces the main characters, sets the tone and theme, and highlights the story's core message. This setup occurs within the screenplay's first ten pages and should be visually striking and emotionally engaging to captivate the reader.
Whether it’s a group of hippies on the road, a happy couple before a relationship-shattering affair, a depressed protagonist, or a group of teens at school, this act sets the stage for the upheaval ahead.
Structuring your first act should steadily build toward that dramatic moment when the central conflict emerges. No matter what structure you use, this buildup is vital. Jumping straight into the conflict without this foundation would likely feel disorienting for the audience.
2. Inciting Incident
The inciting incident serves as the call to action and is a pivotal moment that propels the protagonist into the story. Whether a critical piece of information or a seemingly minor event, this catalyst triggers the events that drive the narrative forward.
It should occur within the story's timeline to ensure your audience is emotionally invested in the inciting incident. When the critical event is only mentioned as something that happened in the past, the immediate impact of an event the audience witnesses needs to be included.
Additionally, the inciting incident should trigger something that drives the narrative forward. It needs to compel a character to act in a way that sustains the story’s momentum. Ensure this driving force has the depth and significance to carry through the plot.
3. Main Plot and Connecting to the Midpoint
In screenwriting, the end of Act One marks the hero's first significant turning point, drawing the audience into the second act. Here, the protagonist leaves behind their "normal world" and fully commits to the new story world. There's no turning back once this decision is made–their journey truly begins.
The middle of your screenplay raises the stakes, revealing the characters' true strengths and vulnerabilities while setting up the drama ahead. Challenges, subplots, and conflicts emerge, risking the hero's ultimate goal and giving the audience plenty to root for or against.
4. Act Three
At this stage in the screenplay, the heroes are overwhelmed, and all hope seems lost. Internal and external conflicts peak toward the end of Act Two, leaving the main characters at their lowest point. They feel utterly defeated, believing there's no chance for redemption and they may fail in their mission.
As Act Three begins, the characters devise a last-ditch plan, or at the very least, the hero regains the determination needed to confront the story's central conflict one final time. No longer consumed by despair, the hero rallies, ready to fight for their cause–be it saving people, a city, a school, or something else. In this moment of redemption, the hero takes decisive action that could ultimately save the day.
5. Final Act
The story concludes by the end of the third act. While the narrative should resolve, this doesn’t mean it requires a tidy, neatly wrapped ending or a happy conclusion. The central plot established by your premise should find closure, even if there’s an overarching storyline that leaves room for sequels or future exploration.
If Act III takes up roughly a quarter of your screenplay, the finale should consume most of that. It’s crucial not to rush the climax or present a straightforward, predictable victory for your hero.
Break down the finale into these critical steps: the hero regroups and prepares; the plan is set in motion; an unexpected twist reveals that the original plan won’t work; the hero faces a symbolic “death” and is reborn; they then adapt the plan, leading to their ultimate success.