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How To Write a Screenplay

Learn how to write a screenplay through detailed analysis of feature films.

  • Screenwriting Tips
  • How To Write A Screenplay

State of Grace

July 3, 2015 By William Robert Rich Leave a Comment

State of Grace Story Map

Written by Dennis McIntyre
Uncredited rewrite by David Rabe
Directed by Phil Joanou
Running time: 129 minutes
Year: 1990

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The Incredible Hulk

June 11, 2015 By William Robert Rich Leave a Comment

The Incredible Hulk Story Map

Screenplay by Zak Penn
Uncredited draft by Edward Norton
Directed by Louis Leterrier
Running time: 105 minutes
Year:2008

[Read more…]

True Romance

October 16, 2014 By William Robert Rich 6 Comments

True Romance Beat Sheet

Written by Quentin Tarantino
Directed by Tony Scott
Running Time: 117 minutes
Year: 1993
Poster by Matt Ryan

[Read more…]

Alien

September 17, 2014 By William Robert Rich 2 Comments

Alien Story Map

Screenplay by Dan O’Bannon
Story by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett
Directed by Ridley Scott
Running time: 114 minutes
Year: 1979

[Read more…]

The Karate Kid

August 28, 2014 By William Robert Rich Leave a Comment

Karate Kid Beat Sheet

Written by Robert Mark Kamen
Directed by John G. Avildsen
Running time: 123 minutes
Year: 1984

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Gravity

May 3, 2014 By William Robert Rich Leave a Comment

Gravity Beat Sheet

Written by Alfonso Cuarón & Jonás Cuarón
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Running time: 84 minutes
Year: 2013
Click Here To Download the Script (PDF)

BASIC STORY MAP

Gravity Beat Sheet Story Map

PROTAGONIST: Dr. Ryan Stone, medical engineer on her first space mission
CHARACTERIZATION|MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: Highly skilled scientist | Consumed by despair
EXTERNAL GOAL: To return to Earth
INTERNAL GOAL: To believe in herself
MAIN DRAMATIC CONFLICT: Space
THEMES: Resilience | Rebirth
CENTRAL DRAMATIC QUESTION: Will Ryan return to Earth?
ENDING: Ryan uses the Chinese Space Station’s escape pod and returns to Earth.
ARC: Ryan goes from being consumed by despair to a woman who fights for her life.
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Dallas Buyers Club

April 19, 2014 By William Robert Rich 2 Comments

Dallas Buyers Club Beat Sheet

Written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée
Running time: 113 minutes
Year: 2013
Download the Script (PDF)

[Read more…]

Fletch

March 20, 2014 By William Robert Rich Leave a Comment

Screenplay by Andrew Bergman
Based on the novel by Gregory McDonald
Directed by Michael Ritchie
Running time: 105 minutes
Year: 1985

BASIC STORY MAP

Fleat Beat Sheet Story Map

PROTAGONIST: Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher, 40s, investigative reporter
CHARACTERIZATION|MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: Headstrong, Disguise expert | Smart-ass
EXTERNAL GOAL: To investigate Stanwyk | To finish his drug trafficking exposé
INTERNAL GOAL: To stay cool under pressure
MAIN DRAMATIC CONFLICT: Stanwyk
THEMES: Greed | Power
CENTRAL DRAMATIC QUESTION: Will Fletch figure out Stanwyk’s motive and expose the drug trade on the beach?
ENDING: Fletch cracks the drug trafficking case, finishes his story.
ARC: Fletch goes from a smart-assed investigative reporter to a smart-assed investigative reporter.
[Read more…]

American Gangster

February 12, 2014 By William Robert Rich 7 Comments

American Gangster Beat Sheet

Screenplay by Steven Zaillian
Directed by Ridley Scott
Running time: 150 minutes
Year: 2007

BASIC TWO PROTAGONIST STORY MAP

PROTAGONIST: Frank Lucas
CHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: Business-minded | Greed
EXTERNAL GOAL: To create a business with a superior product | To expand and maintain his business
INTERNAL GOAL: To win at all costs
MAIN DRAMATIC CONFLICT: Richie | Mobsters | Trupo
THEMES: Capitalism | Greed
CENTRAL DRAMATIC QUESTION: Will Frank be able to expand and maintain his business without being arrested or killed?
ENDING: Frank is arrested.
ARC: Frank goes from a Harlem gangster’s driver to the most successful heroin supplier in the United States, but is arrested when he refuses to quit.
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Being John Malkovich

December 29, 2013 By William Robert Rich 3 Comments

Being John Malkovich Beat Sheet

Written by Charlie Kaufman
Directed by Spike Jonze
Running time: 107 minutes
Year: 1999

[Read more…]

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