How To Structure Your Script...

We've all watched a movie where we find ourselves wondering why something is happening when it is. We know that it doesn't feel right, the flow is just off, but we accept it because, well if we don't the movie just won't make any sense. This problem can often times be attributed to poor script structure. You could have a story as creative and exciting as say "Inception," but if the structure of the script is not solid then the flow and progression of your story will be off.

Whenever beginning your story it is important to first have a general idea of the structure you want your script to follow, an example of the different structures that are commonly used can be found here. It is important to remember that often times your story will dictate the style of structure that your script will have. However, most major scripts follow the general 3 Act structure style. Stephen Folker, an independent film director said this about the 3 act script structure style, "Imagine a didactic argument. You have point A. You have point B. Then you have an understanding of both points which brings you to point C. That's what a story is."

Once you dive into your story and began writing it is important to stick with one structure style. If you begin finding yourself falling out of the traditional structure that you began with then you may want to go back and revise your story. You want your story to flow between scenes without the audience thinking why something is happening. One of the best ways to enhancing your script writing abilities is to start reading scripts. This gives you a better idea of what is needed in a strong script and what to do too better your work. The formatting of the physical script itself when typed varies by the writer, however, they often look very similar and an example of which can be found here.