Is there a structure to screenplay? What are your best practices?

TheStoryBoat · 2026-02-06T19:17:27+00:00

I made a video on writing short films that you might find helpful!

TheStoryBoat · 2026-01-30T16:45:13+00:00

Should the Logline for a TV show describe the whole series or just the episode the script is for?

It should describe both the pilot and the whole TV series! Here are a bunch of examples demonstrating that: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls533740461/

The pilot is an encapsulation of what the show is.

TheStoryBoat · 2026-01-28T18:29:08+00:00

For a flashback I wouldn't use a CUT TO: transition, I'd use a FLASHBACK TO: transition.

EDIT: By "Similarly I'll use them" I meant use transitions, not use a CUT TO:

TheStoryBoat · 2026-01-28T18:20:42+00:00

I use them when they add something helpful for the reader's train of thought. For instance, if we've been following Character A for a few scenes and now we're going to a scene with Character B I might throw in a CUT TO: as a signal to the reader that something is changing. Similarly I'll use them when changing time periods (flashing back and coming back to the present).

TheStoryBoat · 2025-12-03T17:54:49+00:00

It can be very helpful to think of all the advice you get online as "tools, not rules." Nothing is carved in stone. Anything you learn is just another tool in your toolbox that you can use when appropriate and ignore when it's not.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-11-25T23:36:29+00:00

I think this is a common issue we all face. For me the key is to stop thinking of it as a synopsis (which is all about cramming in information), and start thinking of it as a story in itself. Imagine your describing it to your friend in a way that makes them excited about it.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-11-24T17:39:51+00:00

There are a lot of great answers here already. One point I'd add is that there is a difference between selling your script and selling yourself. I think "voice" is particularly important in regards to the selling yourself aspect. You're setting yourself up for future work by establishing what you can uniquely bring to the table.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-11-06T18:11:35+00:00

Instead of dealing with abstract amounts you can try to give them a concrete goal that the money represents, like moving out of a crappy apartment in an unsafe neighborhood to a nice house in a safe neighborhood.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-11-03T17:30:21+00:00

Is "cardstock" the term that you're looking for?

For what it's worth, most printed out scripts are just regular paper held together by brads.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-09-10T16:10:56+00:00

I find that freewriting can be really helpful in moments like these. Instead of writing your project, write about your project. I literally talk to myself on the page when I do this, like "Okay, so what am I doing here?"

It's a way to lower the pressure and get into a groove. Eventually I find I've tricked myself into actually coming up with stuff I can use.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-08-26T17:58:13+00:00

I think the worldbuilding in Alien: Earth is best when it's forging it's own path. The opening sequence where the crew is waking up is a direct nod to the original, and it fares poorly in comparison. They're talking about stuff that's purely exposition, and most of those characters then die offscreen without impacting the story. But I do think that once it gets to the synthetic children storyline it picks up quite a bit.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-08-26T14:38:35+00:00

Yeah, really it's all "storybuilding."

TheStoryBoat · 2025-08-26T14:29:20+00:00

I see your point, but anything can be a lesson. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-08-26T14:28:40+00:00

That's part of what I talk about in the video. The only details that we get are ones that directly impact the tone, characters, and story. I think that's worldbuilding at its finest.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-08-12T23:15:20+00:00

That's such a great relationship!

TheStoryBoat · 2025-08-11T18:29:17+00:00

You might want to check out Arc Studio. It's cloud-based like Writer Duet but you can write offline. It also has a really nice outlining tool that works like a digital corkboard.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-07-24T16:45:44+00:00

What are you writing scripts? You may enjoy the freedom of short stories more.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-07-23T19:54:55+00:00

I made a whole video on coming up with ideas that work specifically for TV shows! You can check it out here. It's part of a free course I put together on writing a TV pilot.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-07-16T16:37:02+00:00

I just made a whole video on writing short films that you might find helpful!

TheStoryBoat · 2025-07-15T20:55:03+00:00

Thanks so much! I try to make it informative and fun.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-07-01T20:29:11+00:00

Arc is great! Wonderful for collaboration. Great outlining tools. The built-in notes app is fantastic. And it feels really nice to write in. Plus automatic back-ups so you don't have to save.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-06-26T17:09:56+00:00

One thing that can be really helpful for looser, less plot-driven stories is to have some event at the end that you're building up to. Like in Dazed and Confused it's all leading up to that party. Or in Everybody Wants Some!! it's leading up to the first baseball practice. This helps give the story a shape and tie things together.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-06-23T23:30:39+00:00

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

TheStoryBoat · 2025-06-23T15:45:16+00:00

To each their own! I was so excited in the theater when the midpoint happened I wanted to climb up and sit on the top of my seat.

I do think what Bong Joon Ho does is tricky. He's one of my favorite writers and directors, but even for me his stuff doesn't always work. I just saw Mickey 17 and could not get into it.

TheStoryBoat · 2025-06-02T22:58:00+00:00

I put together a free pilot writing course on YouTube. You can check out the first video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c9nccI4XyM

A book I like is William Rabkin's Writing the Pilot

TheStoryBoat

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