How To Write A Movie

There are entire college courses on how to write a movie because screenwriting is a highly specialized field. Here’s how to get started turning your great story into a great movie screenplay. The following instructions are best for writing a fictional feature-length movie or a short film. Documentaries, TV dramas, sitcoms and reality shows have their own specialized script requirements.

1. Study other scripts. The best way to learn about screenwriting is to read the scripts or screenplays of successful movies. You probably have favorite filmmakers and writers; track down their scripts online or in bookstores. Some DVDs include screenplays as bonus materials. Study these scripts carefully, paying special attention to formatting and how scenes translate from page to screen.    

2. Break your story into three acts. There are many ways to break a story into smaller chunks, but the three-act structure is a basic model. Put simply, Act One introduces your story, your characters and the challenges they face. Act Two introduces further complications as the characters struggle to achieve their goals.  Act Three is the climax, resolving the story followed by the aftermath, showing how the characters and their world have been changed by their experiences. This post-climax section is sometimes called the denouement.

3. Format your script. This is very important; the screenplay format is standardized throughout the film industry. Producers and agents will often refuse to read an improperly formatted script, seeing it as the sign of an unprofessional writer. The reason is simple: film crews can employ dozens or hundreds of people and each person must be able to refer to the script quickly and easily. Formatting requirements include the placement of dialogue on the page, the way scenes are introduced and described, and specialized abbreviations and notations. Script-formatting software is available; Final Draft is the industry standard. It’s expensive, but you can find freeware such as Celtx online.

4.  Write your movie. Whatever your story, try to be original, emotionally engaging, meaningful and maybe even beautiful. Of course, this is challenging; if it were easy, anyone could write a movie. Tell a story you would like to see, not one you’ve seen a hundred times before.

5. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Not even professionals get it right the first time through. Show your script to friends, particularly those who will offer honest feedback and those with backgrounds in writing or the film industry. Put your screenplay away for a few days or weeks, then read it again to see how it holds up. Keep rewriting until you’ve fixed all the problems.

6. Stick with it. A good movie starts with a good script. When you write a movie, challenge yourself to create the best work you can. Getting the movie made, of course, is a whole separate set of challenges. Keep in mind that in the 21^st century there are many alternatives to the Hollywood studios, including cable TV, the internet and independent production. Good luck!