When your screenplay is written, the next step is to read what you wrote. I like to use checklists to figure out what needs to be improved and what I’ve nailed. Here’s a general checklist you can use to gauge your script:
Plot
- Does the script make yourself ask “what comes next”, is it a page turner?
- Are the stakes realistic for the setting?
- Is the journey compelling?
- does the protag make a decision that leads to an action?
First 10 pages
- Has the setting been clearly established?
- Does the screenplay open on a gripping event?
- Is the story already in progress?
- Is it clear who the protagonist is and what their desire is?
- What’s at stake, what will they win or lose?
- Has the antagonist been presented or foreshadowed?
Characters
- Are they unique?
- Does each character must serve a purpose?
- What is the protagonists goal?
- What are the character’s conscious and unconscious desires
- What are their secrets and fears?
- For better or worse, how do they change in the end?
- Do the characters have distinctive physical and emotional traits?
- Will an audience identify and empathize with them?
- Do they have specific attitudes towards each other?
- Is there a strong antagonist?
- Do all the characters have clear motivations?
Structure
- What is the unique hook?
- What is the inciting incident and does it take place in the middle of Act 1?
- What is the central conflict?
- Is the scene progression natural and logical?
- Are there payoffs to the setups?
- Are there unexpected events?
- Is there a dramatic clock ticking?
- Is there a clear subtext?
- What are the 2 turning points and do they take place roughly 1/4 and 3/4 into the script?
- Does the screenplay have a thrilling climax and satisfying resolution?
Genre
- Is the screenplay set in the correct genre?
- Does the screenplay stick to it’s genre?
Dialogue
- Dialogue should not be interchangable between characters
- Is your exposition reduced to a minimum?
- Are your sentences informal, with contractions, slang and so on?
- Are the characters speaking in subtext or is the dialogue too “on the nose?”
Action paragraphs
- Is it written in present tense?
- Are the slugs as brief as possible?
- Does the screenplay describe setting and atmosphere but not internal feelings or back-story?
Other
- Is the screenplay conveyed visually instead of with dialogue?
- Are there no voice overs?
- Are there no flashbacks?
- Is the screenplay written with correct formatting?
- Are there no written directions in the text?
What else would you add to this checklist?
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