Writing for the screen is known as scriptwriting or screenwriting. Screenwriters use a certain structure called “screenplay format” for documenting the screenplay’s characters’ actions, reactions, and dialogue. Scriptwriting is very different from writing a novel, poem, or essay.
The smooth sailing of a film or movie is only apparent to the audience because of the quality of the screenplay. Screenplay writers are the ones that put in the time and effort to think about what makes a good story for movies and films. If you’re interested in writing screenplays or consider yourself a screenwriting prodigy, give some thought to the following three points.
CONCEPT
This is crucial when writing a script, as you don’t want ideas to get jumbled up and make no sense at all.
If the story idea is solid, the studio can practically see the finished product. The advertising and promotion departments have more to work with if the story has a strong premise. Managers and agents will be more willing to pitch your script if they like the plot idea.
Your screenplay’s concept is the story’s overarching, universal message. It is this that motivates us to tell tales, yet we rarely stop to consider putting them into words.
CHARACTERS
They serve to motivate the protagonist and the spectator to move forward with the plot. They play a crucial role in movies, especially for the lead characters. They have a significant role in symbolizing the message a film hopes to convey to its viewers. Personality and character are inextricably linked.
You can’t have a story without characters. Your story’s characters are what make it tick and drive it ahead. Readers will get a sense of the world you’ve built through your characters’ actions and perspectives.
When put in a predicament, characters may exhibit behavior that reflects their inner state of mind. Any subsequent story development can be traced back to the characters’ responses. A character’s motivation is the reason behind their actions.
CONFLICT
Conflict is the lifeblood of any good story. After introducing the protagonist, writers should quickly set up the story’s central conflict. To put it simply, a story can’t begin until there’s some sort of conflict. Every author needs to be able to create enticing tension in their writing.
Conflict drives plot progression. Defeat or difficulty encountered by the protagonist on the path to victory is the most vital form of conflict. Because of this, the whole quality of the film suffers if the conflict isn’t handled well. This is why bad guys are a staple in film.
The tension and excitement created by conflict are what makes a story worth reading. It’s a common technique for illuminating the inner workings of a story’s characters and drawing attention to their strengths and flaws.
Simply put, a story cannot exist unless there are some sort of problems to be solved. The fascinating parts of a novel can be easily identified by paying attention to the protagonist’s desires and the obstacles he or she faces in achieving those desires. The answers to those questions will take you deeper into the plot, where the action really is.