Screenwriting Basics
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Screenplay Outline
Jan 24, 2024
By
Avinash Prabhakaran
Writing a screenplay can be an exciting and creative endeavor, but before you dive into the world of dialogue and camera angles, it's essential to start with a well-structured outline.
A screenplay outline serves as the foundation for your entire script, helping you organize your thoughts, characters, and plot.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create a compelling screenplay outline, using the example of a fictional movie titled "Lost and Found."
Example Outline: "Lost and Found"
Genre: Drama
Tone: Heartfelt, Inspirational
Concept: A young woman discovers a series of letters written by her late grandmother, unraveling a family secret and embarking on a journey of self-discovery.
Act 1: Introduction and Setup
Scene 1: Introduce the protagonist, Emily, in her late 20s, struggling with her career and personal life.
Scene 2: Emily discovers a dusty box of letters in her grandmother's attic.
Scene 3: The first letter reveals hints of a long-hidden family secret.
Act 2: Confrontation and Development
Scene 4: Emily starts researching her family history, discovering connections to a forgotten love story.
Scene 5: Flashbacks reveal her grandmother's youth and the forbidden love affair.
Scene 6: Emily confronts her parents about the hidden truth, leading to conflicts and revelations.
Scene 7: Emily embarks on a journey to find the mysterious love interest from the past, using the letters as her guide.
Scene 8: She meets the elderly man, her grandmother's lover, now living alone.
Act 3: Resolution and Conclusion
Scene 9: Emily helps the elderly man reconnect with her family, providing closure to their love story.
Scene 10: Emily returns home, having learned important life lessons about love, forgiveness, and the importance of family.
Scene 11: Emily decides to pursue a new career path that aligns with her passions and values.
Scene 12: The film ends with Emily visiting her grandmother's grave, leaving a heartfelt letter of her own.
Now, let's delve into how this screenplay outline was created and how you can apply these steps to your own script.
Start with a Concept
Every great screenplay begins with a strong concept or idea. In our example, the concept revolves around a young woman's journey of self-discovery through her late grandmother's letters.
Define Your Genre and Tone
Determine the genre and tone of your screenplay, as we did with "Lost and Found." This will help set the overall mood and style of your script.
Create Memorable Characters
Flesh out your characters by giving them depth and complexity, as we did with Emily, the protagonist in our example.
Remember, a well-crafted screenplay outline is the foundation for a successful script, guiding you through character development, plot progression, and emotional storytelling. All the best!
