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Writing a screenplay is a big dream for many people. What writer doesn’t want to see their story and characters on a movie screen? But if it were that easy, everyone would do it, and it wouldn’t be special. No, writing a screenplay is a task, and if you’re inexperienced, it can be a monumental task. Plus, you don’t want to just finish it; you want it to be good!

The guide will help you start your screenplay, see it through to the end, and make sure you have a quality finished product. To do this, I’ll break down the process into 30 manageable steps, covering everything from idea generation and outlining to writing and story structure.

30-Steps may seem like a lot, but screenwriting is a process. Many guides cover how to write a basic three-act structure and tips for better characters, and I will, too. However, I’ll also give you all the little things in between to actually set you up for success. So, without further ado, let’s learn how to write a screenplay.

Part 1: Planning Your Screenplay

“The best screenplays start with a clear vision. Make sure your idea is strong and that you’ve thought deeply about the story you want to tell before you begin writing.”
Robert McKee

The beginning steps of writing a screenplay aren’t glamorous, but they are important. As much as we’d like to get an idea, sit down, and start typing, that’s not quite how it works. To avoid issues later on down the road, we’ve got to do some planning upfront. These first five steps will help you lay the groundwork for your story.

1. Come Up With Ideas

Ideas are usually the easy part. If you’re interested in writing, you’ve probably already got some ideas that you think are cool. And if not, you can probably come up with some pretty easily. Don’t worry if they’re not 100% thought out yet; that’s what these next steps are for.

If you don’t have any ideas you’re interested in, start thinking, and you will soon. When you’re conscious about it, anything can be a source of inspiration (personal experiences, books, movies, people watching, etc.).

I recommend keeping a notebook or idea journal to capture thoughts as they come to you, especially because the best ideas come right at bedtime! If you need some brainstorming tips, check out my article here – How To Get Ideas For Writing – 6 Must-Know Tips

2. Get Feedback On Your Ideas

Assuming you’ve got a couple of ideas you like, pitch them to other people and see what they think. You may be surprised and find that one stands out to others as most intriguing. Share ideas with friends, family, or, best of all, strangers.

The main thing you want to do is pay attention to reactions. More importantly than saying, “Yes, I like it,” or “No, I don’t,” are their more genuine reactions. Does the idea make them start asking questions? Laugh? Stop and think things over? These are all great signs that you’ve got a winner.

3. Study Your Genre

Once you know what your story will be about, you’ll probably have an idea of the genre. This is important because movie genres are somewhat set in stone, and you’ll need to meet viewer expectations to a certain degree. Of course, you can be unique, but if you want your screenplay picked up, you’ll do well to understand your genre.

Study the conventions, tropes, and expectations of your chosen genre. Watching relevant films to understand audience expectations is a great place to start. Imagine trying to write a romantic comedy, having only ever watched one. No, you’ll want to know your genre inside and out.

This familiarity will allow you to know what to do and how to stand out. You want your screenplay to be familiar to the audience but fresh, too—”the same thing, but differently,” as the saying goes. Here are some ideas of the most common tropes in various genres:

4. Make Character Outlines

Now for the fun part: Create some basic outlines for your important characters. The ultimate goal is to make unique personalities, motivations, and backstories. But remember, we’re still in the outline stage. Start with a quick bio of the main characters, like the protagonist, antagonist, and any affiliates who affect the story.

Basically, the key characters and basic info. You don’t have to have every character upfront. Here is an example of a protagonist:

Name: Kassi Woodall
Gender: Female
Age: Mid 20s
Occupation: A botanist studying rare plants in a remote jungle
Personality Traits: Curious, determined, slightly reckless
Backstory: Lost her parents in an accident as a child
Goal: To discover a legendary plant rumored to have healing properties
Love Interest: Rowan (kind, understanding)

With these basic outlines done, I suggest you do some exercises like character diary entries to delve deeper into their psyches. For example, you could write a journal entry from Kassi’s point of view, recalling the loss of her parents and how it sometimes affects her life.

Exercises like this help to flesh out the character’s fears, motivations, stressors, and certain strengths and weaknesses based off of your initial ideas. Even if they aren’t core story points (or in the screenplay), having these backstory scenes will make your characters much better as you write them.

5. Start With Freewriting

If you’ve ever gotten an idea and started a screenplay or story, you’ll know the initial idea is far from an entire story. This step is where we’ll start to explore how the idea and characters outlined above could become a story. Let your imagination flow and explore potential plotlines.

Focus on the main conflict and character arcs. What obstacles would your characters face? How would their goal evolve over time, and how would they progress as people? Consider how the story might end, too. These considerations will help you start to turn your idea into a plot with conflict, progression, and a direction toward a resolution.

Part 2: Structuring Your Screenplay

“Structure is the skeleton of your screenplay. It’s the framework that holds the story together, so get it right and everything else will follow.”
Aaron Sorkin

Now that we have some solid ideas that we’re confident could be a story, we can start to actually structure the story out. These next six steps will give you an idea of what structures to use and how to map your story out in detail and break it into digestible steps.

6. Understand Story Structure

Would-be screenwriters get really hung up on story structure, and with good reason. It’s really important, and almost everything you watch on Netflix or in the theatre is structured to a T. So, you need an understanding of basic structure. The Three-Act structure is the classic Hollywood go-to, and it’s a good starting point.

It breaks down into:

Act 1 (Setup): Introduce your characters, world, and the inciting incident that sets everything in motion.
Act 2 (Confrontation): Your protagonist faces obstacles, grows, and makes mistakes.
Act 3 (Resolution): The climax, the final showdown, and the resolution.

There are alternative structures, but for now, I recommend starting with the three-act structure. Its straightforward “beginning, middle, and end” style is pretty intuitive and user-friendly. There are some more complex elements that we’ll discuss in later steps.

I find real-world examples to be helpful, so you could say:

Act 1
- A young, ambitious scientist discovers a groundbreaking new energy source with the potential to revolutionize the world.
Act 2a
- Someone becomes jealous and sabotages the research, framing them.
Act 2b
- The protagonist is fired and becomes a fugitive.
Act 3
- The protagonist proves innocence. Their discovery is revealed to the world, leading to sustainable energy.

You can go here for a deep dive into Screenplay Structure.

7. Write a Logline and Treatment

A logline is a super concise, one or two sentence summary of your story. If our idea was Toy Story, our logline might say, “After a new toy named Buzz Lightyear arrives and threatens Woody’s status as Andy’s favorite toy, the two rivals must learn to work together to save themselves from a dangerous adventure.”

What Is A Screenplay “Treatment?”

A treatment is an expanded version of the logline and is usually between 10 to 20 pages. It outlines the story’s plot, characters, and key themes in a prose format. So, be sure to write it from the third-person perspective.

For example:

“Sandy walks into the offices of the partners, and tells them that unfortunately, he is unable to clear his name. He hopes that they will be willing to look past that and still provide him and his family with a better life.

If not, he understands.

They tell him… they are NOT willing to do that.

Sandy slumps.

They tell him they don’t have to do that, because it’s already been done. He’s in the clear.

Sandy doesn’t understand.

They open the door to the conference room, and there’s DIANA… giving her full confession to the Boston PD.”
A treatment for a revised screenplay by
Craig Mazin

Writing your logline and treatment can be harder than you may think. However, it’s important because it gives you a clear idea of your story and helps bridge the gap between concept and reality. A well-written treatment can also be used to pitch the project to producers, studios, or investors.

You can find a full example (which is extremely helpful) here. It’s worth mentioning, just for your sanity, that the example is a bit on the long side, at 30 pages. While there’s no strict rule for the length of a treatment, shorter is often better, and as mentioned, the standard length for a treatment is usually between 10 and 20 pages.

8. Again, Get Feedback

Just like your initial idea, share your logline and treatment with others for input. Get their reactions and be open to constructive criticism. Of course, one person’s opinion shouldn’t warrant an overhaul of the entire story; We’re more interested in issues that keep coming up and plot holes that you may have missed.

9. Make a Step-Outline

Step 9 is a really fun one where you break down your story into individual scenes. You use a step outline to visualize the flow and structure of the screenplay, and this is where you really feel like you’re starting to build all these blocks into a screenplay.

Unlike the logline and treatment, which are general, this outline is a detailed roadmap showing key scenes and their summaries. Focus on including only the most significant moments that drive the plot forward. Avoid including scenes like the protagonist getting dressed or driving to work unless they are essential to the plot or character development.

I don’t want to overwhelm you with info, but I did step outlines poorly for years. So, I’m going to give you a fairly lengthy example in hopes that it helps you avoid the mistakes I used to make.

Scene 1:
- Jenny wakes up to the sound of her alarm clock. She’s exhausted and worn down by the night shifts. A quick montage shows her going through a tired morning routine: brushing teeth, chugging coffee, and pulling on her uniform.
Scene 2:
- Jenny arrives at the ambulance bay, where she meets her partner, Sam, a seasoned paramedic in his early 40s. They exchange jokes about the night ahead. Jenny’s nervous energy contrasts with Sam’s calm demeanor.
Scene 3:
- A chaotic night unfolds as Jenny and Sam respond to several calls. A montage of flashing lights, hurried medical treatments, and tense radio chatter reveals the intensity of their job. They save lives, but the toll it takes on Jenny becomes evident as she stifles a yawn and looks distant.
Scene 4:
- After a particularly rough call, Jenny and Sam sit in the ambulance, taking a breather. Sam notices Jenny’s fatigue and offers her advice on managing the stress. Jenny brushes it off, trying to appear tougher than she feels. Sam’s concern lingers as they get another call.
Scene 5:
- Jenny and Sam arrive at an old, abandoned building. They’re responding to a call about a homeless man who’s collapsed. Inside, the place is eerie and dark, with flickering lights and shadows. They find the man, but Jenny senses something isn’t right. She hesitates before treating him, feeling a strange presence around her. Sam reassures her, and they manage to stabilize the patient.
Scene 6:
- On the way to the hospital, the patient wakes up in a panic, muttering incoherently about “the shadow.” Jenny struggles to calm him down while Sam drives. The man grabs Jenny’s arm, his eyes wild with fear, but she eventually soothes him with calm words. Once they drop him off at the hospital, Jenny remains shaken.
Scene 7:
- After leaving the hospital, Jenny confides in Sam about the strange feeling she had back at the building. Sam brushes it off as exhaustion, but Jenny can’t shake the unease. They’re interrupted by another call, this time to a high-rise apartment.
Scene 8:
- Jenny and Sam arrive at the scene to find a woman hysterical over her unresponsive husband. As they work to revive him, Jenny notices eerie similarities between this case and the one at the abandoned building. She sees a shadowy figure in the corner of her eye, but when she turns, it’s gone. The husband regains consciousness, but Jenny’s fear is growing.
Scene 9:
- The night is winding down. They respond to a final call at a quiet suburban home. An elderly woman has passed away in her sleep. As they prepare to move her, Jenny notices something unsettling—another shadow, this time more defined. She freezes, and the lights in the house flicker. Sam doesn’t see anything, but Jenny is now certain something is following her.

10. Use Index Cards

This step is optional, but I find it helpful to transfer your step outline to index cards for easier organization and visualization. On the simplest level, this means writing one scene per card and laying them out to visualize.

However, you can also color code the cards by act for a more focused view of the scenes within each one. For example, Act 1: Green, Act 2: Yellow, Act 3: Red. Or label the top of each card with the leading characters’ names so you can look at scenes on a character-to-character basis.

Breaking up large chunks of story can be a useful tool, but again, this step is somewhat optional.

11. Create a Writing Schedule

We’re just about ready to actually sit down and start writing the screenplay we’ve worked so hard getting ready. This is, of course, very exciting. But it also presents us with perhaps our most formidable challenge yet: sitting down and writing the screenplay.

Making time to write consistently is not easy, but it’s a must if you want to finish your script in a timely manner. To help stay on track, it’s essential to create and stick to a writing schedule. In general, this usually means setting a realistic goal, finding a specific time and place that works for you, and holding yourself accountable for showing up and writing.

I have an entire article that breaks down this process in greater detail here: Beginner Writing Routine – 5 Effective Tips

Part 3: Writing Your Screenplay (Act 1)

“The first act is about setting up the story and engaging the audience. Make sure your opening scenes are compelling and set the stage for what’s to come.”
Quentin Tarantino

In the first 11 steps, we created our initial ideas and characters, got feedback on them, refined the plot, began to structure it, and mapped out an outline of major individual scenes for the screenplay. In short, we have all the blueprints and foundations ready, and we’re ready to start building. It’s almost time to write!

In these next six steps, we’ll learn how to format a screenplay, some software to help in the writing process, and how to start writing a script step-by-step, starting with, of course, the beginning. Steps 13-17 are dedicated to Act 1 and are marked as such. So, let us get to it.

12. How To Format A Screenplay

Formatting a screenplay is quite a bit of a learning curve for beginners. This is not to say you can’t learn to do it manually, but it takes a lot of thought that is better-used writing. I’ll go so far as to say the least amount of time and energy you spend worrying about formatting is best.

So, I highly recommend you use screenplay software to help you with formatting. LivingWriter offers a dedicated screenplay mode that simplifies the formatting process. We have a breakdown of how this works here:

13. Start With a Strong First Image (Act 1)

Now, let’s do something exciting and imagine the story on the screen instead of a page. How will the film open up? What will the audience see, and how will it set the tone for the next 90 minutes?

Your opening scene is the first thing the viewer sees—it should grab their attention and give them a taste of what’s to come. There is no wrong or right here. You can choose a moment that’s visually striking, emotionally resonant, or full of intrigue. It could be a dramatic event, a quiet reflection, or a humorous situation.

Just make sure it sets the tone for your story and makes the audience want to know more.

14. Introduce the World And Main Character (Act 1)

Once you’ve hooked your audience, it’s time to introduce them to the world and the main character who is in it. This doesn’t mean dumping a bunch of exposition on them. Instead, show them the world through the character’s eyes.

What do they see, hear, smell, taste, and feel? What are their hopes, dreams, fears, and desires? In the spirit of “showing, not telling,” let’s look at the opening scene of “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

In this scene, we’re introduced to Max and the harsh, post-apocalyptic world he inhabits without any direct explanation. The world is shown as desolate, dry, and violent, and you can immediately feel the danger. You can watch the scene here, but what I want you to understand is the following:

What Max sees and hears: We see Max standing on a barren desert landscape with nothing but his car and the ruins of the old world around him. As he listens, he hears distant voices—his hallucinations—giving insight into his trauma and mental state.
What Max feels: The scene quickly shifts to action as Max is captured by the War Boys, who chase him down, showing his world’s brutal and chaotic nature. His isolation and constant fight for survival are palpable from the very beginning.
Worldbuilding: Without a single line of explanation, the barren desert, the scavenged clothing and weapons, and the desperate chase establish a world where resources are scarce, and survival is everything, and chaos reigns. We know this because we see Max in it, not because they told us.

“We know this because we see Max in it, not because they told us,” being the main point. This is usually your character in their regular state of being. So, allow your world to speak for itself with your opening scene.

15. Introduce the Inciting Incident (Act 1)

The inciting incident is the event that kicks off your story and sets the conflict in motion. It fundamentally changes the protagonist’s life and often forces them to make a choice. This could be a tragic event, a sudden opportunity, or a revelation about themselves or the world around them.

Whatever it is, it should be a turning point that propels the story forward. It should change things from the “ordinary world” we see at the beginning to the start of the conflict.

16. Show Resistance to Calling (Act 1)

Once the inciting incident occurs, the protagonist may not immediately embrace their new situation. They may resist the call to adventure or feel overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. This resistance can create tension and conflict, making the character’s eventual decision to embark on their journey even more meaningful.

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker initially struggles with the responsibilities of being Spider-Man. He wants to be a hero but longs for an everyday teenage life. This internal conflict is a significant film theme as Peter learns to balance both worlds.

Remember, the inciting incident would not be an “incident” if it were 100% pleasant and aligned with exactly what the character wants. So, some internal conflict or pushback would be natural.

17. Create a Point of No Return (Act 1)

So, we’ve set the stage, and something has happened to our lead character—something they’re fighting against. This step is when they lose that fight. A point of no return is when the protagonist is forced to commit to their journey and can’t go back.

This could be a physical obstacle, a moral dilemma, or a personal sacrifice. Whatever it is, it should clarify that the character’s life has changed forever and that there’s no turning back. For example, in “The Hunger Games,” Katniss reaches her point of no return when she volunteers in place of her sister, committing to the deadly games and permanently altering the course of her life.

This point of no return for the character marks the end of Act 1.

Part 4: Developing the Story (Act 2)

“Act 2 is where the real drama unfolds. It’s the part of the screenplay where characters face challenges, grow, and the stakes are raised. Keep it dynamic and focused on character development.”
David Mamet

As we move into part four of our how to write a screenplay guide, we’re transitioning from the end of Act 1 to the start of Act 2. In these next six steps, we’ll be writing out the scenes that introduce obstacles, friends, subplots, twists, and escalating stakes.

18. Introduce Obstacle (Act 2)

Our character has realized they have to do the thing they don’t want to. And, of course, it can’t be easy; otherwise, it would be a short visit to the theatre. Stories need conflict, and for that, protagonists need obstacles.

Thanks to our initial plotting, we already know what they are. Now it’s time to introduce them. To get the most out of an obstacle, make it personal by connecting it to your protagonist’s internal struggles. Even if the challenge is external, it should reflect your character’s fears or weaknesses.

This creates a more emotionally charged moment, forcing the characters to confront something about themselves as they face the obstacle. Additionally, escalate the stakes. The obstacle should raise the tension and create a sense of urgency.

19. Introduce Allies (Act 2)

No hero can go it alone, which is why introducing allies is crucial to your story. These supporting characters can provide help, guidance, or even comic relief, making the protagonist’s journey more dynamic. Think about what your protagonist lacks and how an ally could fill that gap.

For example, if your protagonist is strong but impulsive, a calm and strategic friend can balance them out. Allies should have their own goals and motivations, making them fully realized characters rather than just sidekicks.

Their relationships with the protagonist can add depth to the story, creating emotional connections that resonate with the audience. Think Samwise to Frodo or Hermione to Harry.

20. Introduce Subplots (Act 2)

Having just crossed over into the second act, with the narrative rolling along, and having introduced our secondary characters, now is the time to start developing your subplots, which should be somewhat easy to identify.

Subplots are like the spice in your screenplay—they add flavor and richness to the main story. And they’re actually essential to a quality story. Almost no “a plot,” no matter how interesting, is enough to drive a film alone. Plus, a well-crafted subplot can provide contrast, deepen character development, or highlight themes in your narrative.

For instance, if your main plot is an intense thriller, a romantic subplot can provide a breather and show a different side of your characters. Just remember that subplots should complement, not overshadow, the main story. But at the same time, they should be tied to the “a plot” in some way.

21. The Midpoint Twist (Act 2)

The midpoint twist is the game-changer in your story, shaking up the narrative and pushing it in a new direction. This twist is the significant event that forces your protagonist to reassess their situation and take action.

Without this, films would feel predictable and “inevitable” as they progress. The midpoint twist introduces new stakes or revelations that deepen the plot and challenge the protagonist in unforeseen ways. This also keeps the audience engaged and propels the story into more complex and compelling territory.

Fight Club is a great example. Jack realizes that the charismatic and rebellious figure he has been following is actually a projection of himself. This changes the entire understanding of the story, reshapes the narrative, and intensifies the psychological conflict at the heart of the film.

22. Raise the Stakes (Act 2)

At this point, the tension should naturally be ramping up. As things escalate, the consequences of failure should be more severe. Raising the stakes means putting more on the line for your protagonist—whether it’s their life, relationships, soul, etc. The exact stakes will depend on your story, of course.

If you need work here, consider how the obstacles become more challenging, the antagonist more formidable, or the protagonist’s dilemmas more intense following the mid-plot twist. The closer they get to their goal, the more they stand to lose, making every decision feel crucial.

23. Create a Lowest Point (Act 2)

With the mid-plot twist done and the stakes growing, it’s time for your beloved character to face their lowest point so far. This moment is critical because it tests the character’s resolve and sets the stage for their eventual triumph.

At this point, the protagonist should feel overwhelmed and question whether they can continue. This moment of vulnerability makes the audience root for them even more. To make this scene impactful, dig into the emotional stakes—what does the protagonist stand to lose if they fail? How do they feel in this moment of despair?

The lowest point should be a turning point, where your character can rise above and continue fighting. In The Lion King, Simba hits his lowest point when he learns that he indirectly caused his father’s death. This leads him to question his worthiness and abandon his responsibilities, but it also makes his eventual return and redemption even more powerful.

Part 5: Resolving the Story (Act 3)

“The climax and resolution should provide a satisfying payoff for the audience. Everything should come together in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable.”
Martin Scorsese

Part 5 of how to write a screenplay moves us from Act 2 to Act 3. In the three steps for this section, you’ll be writing the ending portions of the story. Including bringing the tension you’ve been building to a head, writing the climax, tying up any loose ends and resolving the plot in some way.

24. Build to the Climax (Act 3)

The climax is the moment where all the stakes come to a head, and the protagonist faces their biggest challenge. Everything in the story has been leading to this point. Whether it’s a physical battle, an emotional revelation, or a final decision, this moment should deliver maximum impact, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

25. Address Final Obstacles (Act 3)

After the climax, resolve any remaining conflicts or loose ends that haven’t been addressed yet. These final obstacles can be smaller challenges or lingering issues that need closure. Whether it’s a secondary antagonist, a moral dilemma, or a key relationship, take the time to address these remaining elements to ensure that the story feels complete.

This is the time to wrap up subplots and bring everything into alignment, showing how the protagonist has grown and changed. In The Return of the King, after destroying the One Ring, Frodo returns home but realizes he can no longer find peace in the Shire. His decision to leave with the Elves shows this and provides a bittersweet resolution.

26. Provide a Satisfying Resolution (Act 3)

We’re now on the final step of Act 3. Congrats, you’ve nearly finished your screenplay! With all obstacles addressed, tie up the plot and character arcs in a way that feels earned and fulfilling. Whether your story ends happily or tragically, it should provide closure that resonates with the themes of the narrative.

Reflect on how the protagonist has evolved and how the world has changed as a result of their journey. A satisfying resolution ensures that the audience feels a sense of completion, understanding the significance of the story and the character’s transformation.

Part 6: Revising and Finalizing

“Revision is where the screenplay truly takes shape. Be relentless in your pursuit of clarity, coherence, and emotional impact.”
William Goldman

Thanks to the outlining in the initial steps, we should have a fairly solid first draft of the screenplay at this point. But it’ll be far from perfect. These next couple of steps will help you put the screenplay into perspective and fix any issues before getting it in front of interested eyes.

27. Take a Break

After completing your screenplay, step away from it for a while to gain fresh perspective. This distance allows you to return with clearer insight, helping you spot areas that need improvement or refinement.

28. Get Feedback

Once you’ve had some time away, share your draft with others for constructive input. Friends, fellow writers, or writing groups can provide valuable feedback on pacing, character development, and plot clarity, offering perspectives you might have missed.

29. Rewrite and Refine

With feedback in hand, dive into rewrites. Use both the external critiques and your own analysis to improve your screenplay. This stage is crucial for tightening the story, refining dialogue, and resolving any inconsistencies.

30. Finalize Your Screenplay

Continue revising until you are completely satisfied with the final product. Be patient with yourself during this process, and make sure every scene, line, and character arc feels essential to the story. When you’re confident it’s polished, your screenplay is ready to be shared with the world.

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