HOW TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY IN 30 DAYS OR LESS
BY
RONALD FARNHAM
INCLUDES THE SCREENPLAY, OUTLINE, SYNOPSIS, LOGLINE, AND THEME OF: THEY THE THREE MAGIC QUESTIONS
BY
RONALD FARNHAM
© 2011 RONALD FARNHAM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
CONTENTS
1. FORWARD
2. INTRODUCTION
3. THE PROCESS: 30 Day Overview
4. STEP ONE: Day 1 - Read the Instructions
a. Screenplay Formatting
5. STEP TWO: Day 2 – Write The Title
6. STEP THREE: Day 3 – Write The Theme
7. STEP FOUR: Day 4 – Write The Logline
8. STEP FIVE: Day 5 – Prepare The Synopsis
9. STEP SIX: Day 6 – Write The Beginning
10. STEP SEVEN: Day 7 – Write The Ending
11. STEP EIGHT: Day 8 – Write The Middle
12. STEP NINE: Day 9 – Finalize and Register Your Synopsis
13. STEP 10: Day 10 – Outline Your Screenplay
14. Step 11: Day 11 – Begin Your First Draft – Write Scene One
15. Step 12: Day 12 – Write Scene Two
16. Step 13: Day 13 – Write Scene Three
17. Step 14: Day 14 – Write Ten Scenes
18. Step 15: Day 15 - Write Ten Scenes
19. Step 16: Day 16 - Write Ten Scenes
20. Step 17: Day 17 - Write Ten Scenes
21. Step 18: Day 18 - Write Ten Scenes
22. Step 19: Day 19 - Write Ten Scenes
23. Step 20: Day 20 – Write The Final Scenes
24. Step 21: Day 21 – Finish Your First Draft
25. Step 22: Day 22 – Register Your First Draft
26. Step 23: Day 23 – Rewrite/Edit Your First Draft
27. A Screenwriter’s Road Map – Act I, Act II, Act III
28. Plot Points
29. The Mid-Point
30. Producing And Distributing Your Screenplay
31. Publishing Your Screenplay As A Book
32. Example Title: They The Three Magic Questions
33. Example Theme: They The Three Magic Questions
34. Example Logline: They The Three Magic Questions
35. Example Synopsis: They The Three Magic Questions
36. Example Outline: They The Three Magic Questions
37. Example Screenplay: They The Three Magic Questions
38. Epilogue
Anything you can imagine is possible.
This book is laid out so that as you read each chapter you will be writing the Screenplay as you go. Start today and have a completed Screenplay in 30 days or less. I designed this book to be a simple step-by-step process you immediately follow so you promptly take your concept from your mind and turn it into a complete Screenplay in proper format – with many interesting Plot Points.
I have listed all of the steps together in a row right up front, first, so you can start immediately. Then I took a Script I wrote, using this process, and laid it out in a step-by-step example. It is a fast track to the rocket science of screenwriting. You have so much storytelling potential within you and this tool will help realize that potential and satisfy your desire to write a Screenplay and/or book. Here I teach you to write a complete Screenplay, with a Beginning, Middle and Ending, in 30 days or less. Take this book home right now and before the end of the day you will be on step one of writing your Script.
Happy writing.
Sincerely
Ronald Russell Farnham
III
THE PROCESS
30-DAY OVERVIEW
DAY 1
Prepare To Write - Read The Instructions
It is a good idea to know what to expect and what the process will be before you start the actual process. This activity will get your creative juices flowing and it will give you a cognitive map of the overall process. I also explain the Screenplay formatting which you want to understand. However, screenwriting software formats everything for you if you have it.
DAY 2
Write The Title
Title is important. Here you decide on your title. I explain how to come up with a title.
DAY 3
Write The Theme
Theme - a statement in nine-words or less about the overall subject of your story. I provide examples. Keep your concept wrapped around the Theme.
DAY 4
Write The Logline
Logline - summary of your story in 25-words or less. I provide examples. The Logline is a part of the Pitch Package when you submit your Script for Production by a Studio or representation by a Literary Agent.
DAY 5
Outline The Synopsis
Synopsis - a Three-page outline of your Script in paragraph form; It shapes the Beginning, Middle, and Ending of your story, upon which you will base your Outline and Screenplay. Prepare to write the Beginning, Ending and Middle of your Synopsis – in that order. I walk you through this simple process.
DAY 6
Write The Beginning Of The Synopsis
Here you write the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of your Screenplay.
DAY 7
Write The Ending Of The Synopsis
After you write the Beginning, you write the Ending. You must know how your movie ends so you can get from the Beginning and through the Middle.
DAY 8
Write The Middle Of The Synopsis
Make your way through the Middle and create your dramatic Plot Points. I help you.
DAY 9
Finalize And Register Your Synopsis
Once your Synopsis is complete and you have a Title Page created, register the Synopsis with the United States Copyright Office and/or Writer’s Guild. I provide the links and information on how to do so. I explain the format of your Title Page.
DAY 10
Outline Your Screenplay
Create the Skeleton of your Screenplay. List all Scenes which will make up the Script. Prepare to fill in the Script with Action and Dialogue. There are normally 60- to 100-Scenes in a Script.
DAY 11
Begin Writing The First Draft Of Your Script - Write Scene One
Get started writing the Screenplay. Start with Scene one. Write the Fade In, The Scene Heading [INT. JOHN’S KITCHEN – DAY] The Lead Character Description, The Action and the Dialogue. I provide examples in this chapter as well as in the Screenplay, which is provided at the end of the book. I provide formatting guidelines, which you apply to give your Script professional quality.
DAY 12
Write Scene Two
It is important for you to write Scene two after Scene one. Get into the flow of your early Plot Points. You’ll get better at Scene construction here and be ready to get on a roll. I provide examples regarding formatting and Scene construction.
DAY 13
Write Scene Three
Get into a rhythm with your Beginning and with formatting. I provide examples and structure guidelines. I provide ideas for your Plot Points and Dialogue.
DAYS 14 - 19
Write 10 Scenes Per Day [60 Scenes]
This will be the bulk of your Scene writing. I discuss creating exciting Plot Points, which propel your story forward, build tension, and drive toward the climax. I provide advice on writer’s block and keeping your momentum.
DAY 20
Write The Final Scenes
Write all of the Scenes you must in order to finish your Script. I help you revise Plot Points, refine Dialogue, and formulate interesting ideas.
DAY 21
Finish Your First Draft
Read through, clean up, and finalize the First Draft of your Script. I discuss common mistakes you might have made and how to correct them.
DAY 22
Register Your First Draft
Just as you did with your Synopsis, you will register your Screenplay with the United States Copyright Office and/or the Writer’s Guild Of America.
DAY 23 - 29
Do Your Rewrite/Editing
By "rewrite" I don't mean you will start all over and write an entirely new version of the Script. No. What I mean is; you will read through your Script and make corrections, additions, deletions, and changes until you are satisfied and finished with the Script. Nothing is ever written, it is rewritten/edited.
DAY 30
Produce And Distribute Your Screenplay
You have written a Screenplay and desire to get it turned into a movie. I explain the production and distribution process. I explain the world of film distribution, funding and the global territories for distribution in Theatres, on DVD and TV, and digitally, Union films and budgets, how much you make as a writer and Executive Producer [EP].
DAY 31
Publish Your Script As A Book
I explain the process of turning your Script into a published book. This is a fun process and is very easy to do. I walk you through the process of becoming a published book author.