What's the best way to develop a compelling screenplay idea?

2 Expand your logline

A logline is a one- or two-sentence pitch that describes the main plot and hook of your screenplay. It should include the protagonist, the antagonist, the goal, the obstacle, and the genre. A good logline is clear, concise, and catchy. It should make the reader want to know more about your story. To expand your logline, you can use the following formula: When [inciting incident], a [protagonist] must [goal] or else [stakes], while [antagonist] tries to [obstacle]. For example, "When a giant asteroid threatens to destroy Earth, a team of astronauts must drill into its core and detonate a nuclear bomb, while a rogue government agent tries to sabotage their mission."

3 Outline your structure

A structure is a blueprint that organizes your screenplay into acts, sequences, and scenes. It helps you create a coherent and engaging narrative arc that follows the protagonist's journey from the beginning to the end. A common structure is the three-act structure, which divides your screenplay into three parts: the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution. Each act has a specific function and a turning point that changes the direction of the story. To outline your structure, you can use index cards, bullet points, or software tools to write down the main events and beats of your story.

4 Develop your characters

Characters are the heart and soul of your screenplay. They are the ones who drive the action, express the theme, and elicit the emotions of your audience. To develop your characters, you need to give them distinct personalities, motivations, flaws, and arcs. You also need to make them relatable, believable, and memorable. To do that, you can use character profiles, interviews, backstories, or dialogues to explore their traits, goals, conflicts, and relationships.

5 Research your world

World-building is the process of creating the setting and context of your screenplay. It involves establishing the time, place, culture, history, and rules of your story world. A good world-building is immersive, consistent, and relevant. It should enhance your premise, support your theme, and challenge your characters. To research your world, you can use online sources, books, documentaries, interviews, or personal observations to gather information, facts, and details that can enrich your screenplay.

6 Write your synopsis

A synopsis is a brief summary of your entire screenplay. It should cover the main plot points, twists, and resolutions of your story. It should also convey the tone, genre, and theme of your screenplay. A good synopsis is clear, concise, and compelling. It should show the reader what makes your screenplay unique, original, and worth reading. To write your synopsis, you can use the outline, the logline, and the premise as guides. You can also use keywords, transitions, and emotions to create a smooth and engaging flow.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?