Beat Sheet

Learn how to write a screenplay through detailed beat sheets of your favorite movies!

Vertigo Beat Sheet

Vertigo Beat Sheet

Vertigo Writen by Alec Coppel and Samuel TaylorBased on the novel “D’Entre Les Morts” by Pierre Boileau and Thomas NarcejacDirected by Alfred HitchcockYear: 1958Running time: 128 minutes Basic Story Map PROTAGONIST: John “Scottie” Ferguson, 50-something retired detectiveCHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: Suffers from…

Inception Beat Sheet

Inception Beat Sheet

Inception Written and Directed by Christopher NolanRunning time: 141 minutesYear: 2010 Download the Inception Screenplay (PDF) Full Beat Sheet ACT I 2 – OPENING: COBB wakes up on the beach, waves crashing on him. Images of children building sand castles…

Michael Clayton Beat Sheet

Michael Clayton Beat Sheet

Michael Clayton Written and Directed by Tony GilroyRunning time: 116 minutesYear: 2008 PROTAGONIST: Michael Clayton, a mid-40’s, high-powered law firm’s fixer.CHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: former gambling addict and fixer of immoral actions. He is a demoralized man in the midst of financial…

The Dark Knight Beat Sheet

The Dark Knight Beat Sheet

The Dark Knight Download The Dark Knight Screenplay (PDF) Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher NolanStory by Christopher Nolan & David S. GoyerDirected by Christopher NolanRunning time: 145 minutesYear: 2008 Full Beat Sheet PROLOGUE 1 – OPENING IMAGE: Flames engulf…

Batman Begins Beat Sheet

Batman Begins Beat Sheet

Batman Begins Screenplay by Christopher Nolan and David S. GoyerStory by David S. GoyerDirected by Christopher NolanRunning time: 131 minutesYear: 2005 ______________________________________ Please note that the following map is different than the one featured in Story Maps: The Films of…

The Fisher King Screenplay

The Fisher King Beat Sheet

The Fisher King Written by Richard LaGraveneseDirected by Terry GilliamRunning time: 134 minutesYear: 1991 BASIC STORY MAP PROTAGONIST: JACK LUCAS, 40’s, former Howard Stern-esque shock-jock.CHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: dependence, alcoholism and narcissismEXTERNAL GOAL: To help Parry get back on his feet and…

Risky Business Beat Sheet

Risky Business Beat Sheet

Risky Business Written and Directed by Paul BrickmanRunning time: 96minYear: 1983 BASIC STORY MAP PROTAGONIST: Joel Goodson, an 18 year old high school seniorCHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: Naivety; guiltEXTERNAL GOAL: To get laid / To be accepted into PrincetonINTERNAL GOAL: To satisfy…

Die Hard Beat Sheet

Die Hard Beat Sheet

Die Hard Written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E de SouzaBased on the novel Nothing Last Forever by Roderick ThorpeDirected by John McTiernanRunning time: 128 minutesYear: 1988 BASIC STORY MAP PROTAGONIST: John McClane, 40’s, NYC detective.CHARACTERIZATION/MAIN MISBEHAVIOR: Selfish; unable to…