The usual documents involved in writing a screenplay for a feature film (not all are necessary but it might improve your craftsmanship)
- The Premise is a statement of the main character(s), and their dilemma written in 1-3 sentences
- The Synopsis is about 3 paragraphs long, and each paragraph encompasses the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
- 3. The Outline is about 1-3 pages long, briefly describing the setup, confrontation and resolution, and details of primary characters.
- Character Notes is around 1-3 pages, outlines the different characters and their back stories.
- Pitch Document contains all of the above documents and some images that help the other person to understand your vision. It almost takes 10 pages.
- Scene Breakdown Importance of each scene outlined in a list (or) using Index cards.
- The Treatment (20-40 pages) is an expanded version of the Outline, with more character detail, more dramatic `moments’ and vivid key scenes. Each scene is written in a paragraph in third person present tense – with no dialogue.
- Sample Dialogues: writing a page of dialogue (or) monologue for your character with their own unique voice helps you in getting an insight and distinction between the characters in your story.
- The Screenplay (90 -120 pages)-Standard International Screenplay Format; A4 paper; Courier 12-point font; and with black card front & back, 3 holes drilled & 2 brads in the top & bottom holes- contains scene descriptions, slug lines, dialogues.
Blog By Mutyala Venkata Shiva – Screenplay Writing Faculty (FTIH)
