Explanation of a paradigm for writing successful screenplays to succeed in writing. Also refer to writing techniques, Syd Field, Hollywood, movies, readers, agents, producers, studios, plots, obstacles, turning points, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
The Screenplay Paradigm
by Ron Kurtus (21 September 2000)
The typical plot in most movies, plays and stories consists of three acts. Act I is the beginning setup, Act II is a middle confrontation, and Act III is the ending resolution. One theory of screenwriting states that turning points between acts happen at very specific times within the typical 2-hour movie or 120-page script. These turning points are necessary to get and keep the audience's interest in the movie.
Questions you may have include:
- What is the basis of this theory?
- How do you get the audience's interest?
- What are the turning points and where should they occur in the script?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Basis of theory
The basis of this theory comes from the book Screenplay by Syd Field. (See Resources at the end of the lesson for information on the book).
Field worked for years as a script reader and later as head of a studio story department in Hollywood. Upon reading many scripts, he noticed a pattern among the better scripts--many of which were made into movies. He noticed that certain actions or turning points in the story occurred in approximately the same place in the scripts.
From studying the numerous scripts, Field developed his "Screenplay Paradigm" concerning elements that make for a good script. These items also help to sell the script. Getting a script past a Reader is one of the first steps in selling a screenplay.
Getting the audience's interest
Before you can think of getting the audience's attention and interest in watching the screenplay you are writing, you must get the interest of a script reader who is working for an agent, producer or studio. He or she is the first person who will determine whether or not your screenplay is purchased.
The first 10 pages of a script are crucial in grabbing the audience's interest by telling who is the main character and what the story is about. A studio script reader will know at the end of the first 10 pages whether or not it is worth continuing. Usually by page 5, the dramatic situation is defined.
Time the beginning of movies or check the pages of scripts you read to see what happens in the first 10 minutes.
Turning points in a story
A plot-point is an incident or event that hooks into the action and spins it around in another direction. At about 27 minutes into a movie (or 27 pages in the script) the first plot point occurs. Everything in the plot has been set up. Then there is an obstacle that leads the movie into the second act or confrontation portion. Likewise, at about 87 minutes into the movie, there is a plot-point or sudden twist that leads into the resolution of the story.
If you watch and study movies carefully, you will recognize these plot-points when they happen. You will also see how vital they are to the development and resolution of the story.
Summary
Screenplays and their movies have plot points or turning points at specific places within the script. This is done to make the movie interesting to the audience. A writer must also make sure his or her movie hooks a reader by defining the action within the first 5 and 10 pages of the script.
Think of your audience when writing a script
Resources
The following resources provide information on this subject:
Websites
Writing Resources for Students
Books
Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field, DTP (1984) $13.95 - Classic screenwriting book that looks at critical pages in a screenplay, based on the study of successful scripts. Comprehensive technique for writing a script that will succeed.
Top-rated books on Screenwriting
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. How did Syd Field come up with his screenplay paradigm?
2. Why should you hook the audience within the first 10 minutes or pages?
3. What should happen around page 27?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a champion script writer. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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The Screenplay Paradigm