Reading Screenplays: Five Elements To Consider
Image by Pixabay on Pexels
A screenplay serves as the blueprint for any film or TV show. Reading a screenplay as opposed to watching the final product is one of the best ways to learn how to become a stronger writer. It allows you to recognize the key aspects that make up a story. While aspiring screenwriters are encouraged to study the best of the best, it’s important to acknowledge the value of studying screenplays of all levels. By reading both great screenplays and ones with unfulfilled potential, you will be able to see what works compared to what doesn’t. The more you read, the better you’ll be able to grasp this. If you are eager to dig into reading and analyzing, you can make a free account with The Script Lab which has a library containing hundreds of screenplays to choose from. Here are a few elements to consider when reading a screenplay that should be carried into your own work:
1. Conflict
The first act of a screenplay is where the conflict is established. The conflict will serve as the driving force of the story. If this device is not apparent, the screenplay can easily feel like a runaway train to nowhere. Providing the characters with something to resolve or accomplish gives the reader a reason to stay emotionally engaged until the end.
2. Pacing
There are key story points a screenplay needs to hit in order to keep it moving forward. If the story moves through those significant moments too fast, the reader can easily get lost. If it drags on for too long, the reader may get bored and lose interest.
3. Character’s voices
Each character should be distinguishable from one another through their style of dialogue and actions. There does not always need to be a drastic difference, but the reader should have an idea of who they are. If a shy character is talking to an outgoing character, those traits should be evident in their exchange. The easier the characters are to identify, the more developed they will feel.
4. Descriptions
Whether the writer is describing the setting, a character, or an action, it needs to be clear and concise. The reader should be able to visualize what is going on without being overwhelmed by information. If descriptions consist of giant blocks of writing, it will interfere with the flow of the scene. We do not need to know every single little detail, rather the details that inform the story.
5. Readability
If the reader repeatedly needs to backtrack to make sense of what they just read, it will diminish the overall reading experience. While having a variety in vocabulary helps spice things up, a balance needs to be considered. Dense writing can take away from the reader’s ease of moving through the story.
We made a handy checklist for you to keep as you read screenplays and assess what you want to keep in your own writing, too.
Click on the graphic to open it in another page, or hover over it to save it to your Pinterest board!
BONUS 6. Entertainment value
Even when a writer follows all of the technical guidelines, it does not guarantee it will be entertaining. If the story or characters are not compelling on the page, it won’t translate onto the screen. It is possible for a great screenplay to lose its value when it is adapted, but it is not likely for a weak screenplay to become a critical hit on-screen.
Note: all opinions are our own
