Screenwriting Story Structure
A creative person in my local community contacted me on Facebook regarding my editing, copy-editing, and proofreading services. Here’s our brief correspondence:
Question:
Hi, Jenise. I’m looking for some sort of guidance on story writing so I can eventually shop my screenplays to filmmakers. ~ Pat M.
My Response:
Hey, Pat:
Thank you for contacting me! It’s always fun to connect with locals who are creative.
Here’s a freebie recommendation. For screenplays, I’m still learning this format myself as I’m focused on short stories and novels, however, I do know of a proven resource for you to explore:
Save the Cat®
I suggest you explore every page of this website. It comes highly recommended by filmmakers for improving story telling in scripts/screenplays.
Let me know what you think of Save the Cat®. I’ve barely had time to explore so I’m eager to hear your opinion.
It was a brief but nice exchange between locals, as I’m frequently online with my writing community. I do look forward to learning from the Save the Cat® program to increase my skill set in screenwriting as a Developmental Editor so I can help you and others with your screenplays.
However, I’m constantly researching in my field. Read on to discover more resources to improve storytelling in your screenplay.
5 Resources to Jump-start Your Storytelling
What Is Save the Cat®?
Save the Cat® – Website: Save the Cat
Why did I immediately recommend this website to Pat? Because the members of my online writing community, Scribophile, said it’s the most well known and comprehensive program for screenwriters who wish to:
-
-
- tell the best story they can in their screenplays, so they can
- shop them to filmmakers, and
- sell them to make a living from the craft they love.
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The Language of Storytelling™ by Blake Snyder
The founder, the late Blake Snyder, had such a huge impact on fellow screenwriters that his colleagues saved his concepts, and his program actively continues to help writers today. This alone impressed me a great deal, and that’s another reason why I mention Save the Cat® as the first resource in my screenwriters list.
If you’re a screenwriter, begin with Save the Cat®, and let me know your thoughts on this program in the Comments below.
Additional Screenwriting Resources
If I were working on a screenplay, I would start with the Save the Cat® program. Then, I would also consider a few additional resources.
No Film School
Website: https://nofilmschool.com
I first learned about No Film School in 2019, and I follow them on Twitter as a resource. Here’s one of their articles related to storytelling in screenplays:
Avoid a Screenwriting Trap: Tell a Story Instead of Explaining Your Movie
https://nofilmschool.com/2017/02/screenwriting-tell-a-story-instead-of-explaining-your-movie
SoCreate: Screenwriting for Everyone
Website: https://www.socreate.it
I also follow SoCreate on Twitter, and I like their posted resources as well.
Here’s their article on telling a story:
How to Use Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling in Your Screenplay
Stillmotion: Storytelling Blog
Blog site, category storytelling:
https://www.stillmotionblog.com/category/storytelling/
Stillmotion is a film-making consulting company with a wide variety of clients. Their belief in strong storytelling shows up in their blog category: “storytelling” (see link above). Scroll down the page; I think you’ll find some tidbits to help you with your project.
Script Mag
Website: https://scriptmag.com
One more resource you can add to your tool kit is from Writer’s Digest’s Script Mag. I’m not familiar with Script Mag, but they have an interesting article you might want to read:
BREAKING & ENTERING: Keep It Simple Storytelling
https://scriptmag.com/screenplays/breaking-keep-simple-storytelling
As you search the World Wide Web using keywords “screenwriting” and “storytelling”, I’m certain you’ll find even more resources to help you jump-start your project.
Hire Me
I provide proofreading and copy-editing services for your manuscript.
Please visit my Hire Me page for more information, and then let’s chat! Tell me about your project.
eBook (PDF)
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Storytelling in Screenwriting eBook download
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Your Turn
What storytelling in screenwriting resources have helped you? Let us all know in the Comments below. Thanks!
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Image credit: Movie Clapperboard by allser on Pixabay.com
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