How to Write a Screenplay in Two Weeks

So you want to write a screenplay. It's not as daunting as it may appear. Follow these simple steps and you'll churn out a masterpiece in just two weeks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper
• Pens
• Wordprocessing or Screenwriting program
• Coffee
• A good idea

1. A screenplay is not a novel. It's not a short story. It's closer to a cross between poetry and a blueprint. You must approach it with brevity and concreteness. A screenplay should have approximately 100 pages. That's roughly 12,000 to 15,000 words. Every screenplay should have a beginning (act I), a middle (act II) and an end (act III). Act I lasts for 20 to 25 pages. Act II, 50 to 60. And Act III 20 to 25. A screenplay also has approximately 40 scenes each lasting 2 to 3 pages.

2. Act I: consists of 10 scenes. The first, if you're good, sets up what happens at the climax. The next few develop your major character and his environment. Scene six bring ups your character's call to adventure. He's asked to do something out of the ordinary. He'll refuse to do it at first but in scene ten he'll go for it.

3. Act II: 20 scenes. The first 1/3 of the second act concerns your character learning the ropes of his new challenge. Along the way he'll meet friends and enemies (and probably a girl). At the middle of the act he'll try to achieve his goal. But he will either fail or his success will lead to a much greater challenge. He starts the second half of the act by picking himself off of the ground and starting again. But now he knows something he didn't before and he will use it to achieve his goal again.

4. Act III: 10 scenes. The first couple of scenes are a build up to the final conflict. The conflict itself can run up to five scenes. In the end your character wins or loses (but most people love a happy ending). The last scene is a return to home and ties up any loose ends (subplots).

5. Now you're ready to write, nearly. Before you sit down at your keyboard, outline. Some writers abhor an outline. Others can't live without it. If you want to write something solid in two weeks you must outline. You don't have time for wandering exploration. Outline each act and each scene. It doesn't have to be thirty pages or even three. It can just be on a couple of 3x5 notecards if you want. But you'll need it to keep yourself focused.

6. Write:
   Day 1 - write your outline. Work out logical kinks.
   Day 2 - write the first four scenes of act one (8 to 11 pages)
   Day 3 - write the call to adventure through your character's refusal (5 pages)
   Day 4 - finish act one. Set your character off on his adventure (5 pages)
   Day 5 - meet some folks along the way through the beginning of act II (10 pages)
   Day 6 - write up to the point where your character tries to achieve his goal (7 to 10 pages)
   Day 7 - write the attempt at the goal and the resulting failure (10 to 15 pages)
   Day 8 - write your character down in the dumps and realizing what he needs to do to actually achieve his goal (10 pages)
   Day 9 - your character picks himself back up and goes for it again (10 pages)
   Day 10 - your character faces his challenge again and succeeds (10 to 15 pages)
   Day 11 - your character gets the girl, returns home and lives happily ever after (8 to 10 pages)
   Day 12 - rest. Put down the script and enjoy your day off.
   Day 13 - edit Act I and the first half of Act II.
   Day 14 - edit the second half of Act II and Act III.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to work all 14 days you can write seven pages a day and still reach your goal.
• Don't get stuck editing while you're writing. Don't even read what you've written. It will only make you sad. Save the editing until you're done.
• Read screenplays and watch movies. Listen to how movie people talk.
• Read screenwriting books. Eat the hay and spit out the stubble.

[monicatrell]

on 10/10/2009 My screenplay is all over the place. I will try your steps to get it together. I more or less just started typing, finished it in one day, and then had to go back and put everything that wasn't dialouge in.
I was hoping for a "sleeper". Thanks.

[isatoy]

on 5/29/2009 Good article. I like the layout and idea. Thanks. 5*

[simonjmichael]

on 5/25/2009 I was able to write my script in 6 days using a 7 step process I figured out. You can see this processon my website: http://simonjmichael.com/

[ciabo3504]

on 3/25/2009 I'm very excited to start using your system. I heard it takes 10 years to become good at anything. So I will work on your 2-week plan for the next 10 years and I'll let you know how it's going in 2019.

[SkinExpert]

on 12/13/2007 Hey, thank you thank you. I have all these books but they are daunting. I will peruse your article again later tonight or this week end when I have more time.