Writing a screenplay is a daunting task. It is a technical document that somehow needs to tell a story with limited description, portray a writer’s voice without direction, and lead a crew without ever referencing them at all. This is before even considering the pace, tone, and story arcs.

It’s a mammoth task.

But there is a trick to writing your script quickly and effectively – take it from someone who writes a brand new feature almost every month for my clients.

The key is in the preparation. Creating a bullet-proof Outline to act as a map is the best way to stay focused as you write instead of entering the maze of a script with nothing but hope and a dream. To new screenwriters, the idea of an outline can feel restrictive and boring, however, as an established ghostwriter of scripts, I guarantee it is the best way to ensure you reach your script’s big finish.

This Outline is split into 3 Acts and 9 Sections. Broadly speaking, it follows a ‘Beginning’, ‘Middle’, and ‘End’ structure that ensures a script builds towards a conflict peak and satisfying ending. Other outlines, such as the Hero’s Journey, are popular online, but I tend to find these only apply to a more traditional script style.

The 9-Step Outline can easily be modified to any genre or project length including shorts, pilots, and feature scripts.

The 9-Step Script Outline

Working Title:

Writer:

Format:

Logline:

Act 1: The Beginning

1. Opening image:

The first thing the audience is going to see. This should be a powerful opening sequence that lasts between 2-5 pages and gives an audience a taste of what’s to come while leaving them wanting more.

2. Set-Up:

The Set-Up should be used to establish the world in which this script is taking place. This means introducing the key characters, environment, and any crucial backstory needed to understand what might happen next.

The ‘Inciting Incident’ will also happen during the Set-Up. This is the moment that everything changes for the script’s protagonist with this plot point sparking the rest of the story.

3. Act 1 Close:

The aftermath of the ‘Inciting Incident’ as the characters come to understand what has happened and what they want to do next. This might involve setting up stakes and desires which should be well established by the end of Act 1.

The Act 1 Close also often takes the form of the hero or protagonist setting out on their great adventure. This might be literal but is more likely metaphorical as the characters internally realise the mental or emotional journey ahead of them.

Act 2: The Middle

4. Pinch Point #1:

This is the first major obstacle that your characters face in their journey to achieve their goals or desires. Many times this looks like the first major action point in the film which hooks a viewer with visual or psychological excitement.

There may be several obstacles combined in this step which fall within the same beat. These challenges should highlight what the characters are missing in order to reach their goals/wants/desires.

5. Mid-Point:

What does your story look like at the halfway mark? Characters should have developed into their arc, showing change whilst still critically flawed and unaware of it.

The mid-point is a great opportunity for a beat of calm amongst the action to allow an audience to reflect on what they’ve watched, as well as to allow a character to find their next move. This can be thought of as a calm in the eye of a storm.

6. Pinch Point #2:

This marks the beginning of the pace significantly building. This pinch point should be larger than the first and lead the way to the climax of the story without overshadowing it. You can think of it as the characters crossing the moat to the metaphorical castle.

This pinch point should ideally work to reiterate the protagonist’s desires and the stakes if they fail in their journey. Use this beat to tell the audience what is truly at risk in the final act of the film.

7. Crises:

The moment everything goes wrong. This is an ‘all is lost’ sequence in which the characters might momentarily consider giving up. A great crisis should have the audience hooked in a need to know what happens next, but unable to see a way out of this catastrophe.

Act 3: The End

8. Climax:

How do your characters navigate the crises? Perhaps there is a heroic moment of saviour or an important protagonist realisation. You want the climax to feel motivated to achieve a satisfying ending but try to involve some sort of twist or unexpected element to make it memorable.

The Climax is the peak of the script’s pace and tension. In other words, it should move quickly and not hold back in the realisation of emotional and physical stakes.

9. Resolution:

The end. This is your chance to tie up any loose ends and decide a fate for each character. The best endings will give an audience an idea of what happens next whilst still keeping the door ajar for speculation.

The Resolution shouldn’t introduce any new information, but instead sum up what has already been shown and said. It is also advisable to keep the ending short as a viewer can easily lose interest after the climax has been reached.

I would recommend making your own outlines as detailed as possible – for features mine usually sit around 5000 words – in order to cover almost every scene. You might change these plans whilst writing, but a comprehensive outline removes the possibility of staring at a blank page or new scene with no idea how to untangle the mess made before.

Example Outline

To make sure the above is clear, I’ve created a very basic outline to show each step.

Title: The Lion King

Writer: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton

Format: Feature

Logline: Young lion SIMBA turns his back on his pride, believing himself to be responsible for a great tragedy, and must discover if he can outrun his destiny and take his Father’s place as King.

Act 1: The Beginning

1. Opening image: Simba’s birth is presented to the Kingdom.
2. Set-Up: Mufasa teaches Simba what it means to be King.
3. Act 1 Close: Mufasa’s Death

Act 2: The Middle

1. Pinch Point #1: Simba is raised by Timon and Pumbaa
2. Mid-Point: Nala finds Simba
3. Pinch Point #2: Rafiki reminds Simba of his destiny
4. Crises: Simba returns to find Pride Rock desolate and ruled by Scar

Act 3: The End

1. Climax: Simba and Scar fight to the death
2. Resolution: Simba becomes King and presents his and Nala’s cub to the Kingdom

Summary

There are countless tools and templates on offer when creating a screenplay with multiple iterations of how an outline ‘should’ be structured. In the end, all that matters is what works for you. This is my tried and true outline template for writing a project of any length or genre and I highly recommend playing with it when working on your own project to see what works.

The beauty of the 9-Step Outline is its adaptability and ability to force you to consider pace before even opening Final Draft. If you haven’t already, give it a try and let me know your thoughts below.

If you’re struggling to finish writing your script and need assistance, I’d love to act as a supporter through Creative Coaching or Ghostwriting.

Have a question? Get in Touch!