What is the 12 step screenwriters algorithm?

 

The 12 essential elements of screenwriting.

 

1. Concept
2. Plot
3. Genre
4. Characters
5. Throughlines
6. Formatting
7. Action-lines
8. Dialogue
9. Tone
10. Structure
11. Pacing
12. Production value

 

Why should I use it?

These 12 elements are essential for a complete comprehensive screenplay.

How do I use the algorithm?

There is no rule as to the order of application, however, order is recommended.

 

Start with Concept step one

High Concept stories are most sought after, but not always the best.

 

Concept is a personal choice with unlimited possibilities. That in of itself is empowering and can be trepidatious when you consider the scope of people a great story can reach, influence, entertain and have a shelf-life of forever. Screenwriters are expected to know their concept really well as it helps to fully develop story.

 

Step 2 Plot the problem

What is the problem in the story? How does the Protagonist overcome it?

That is the Plot.

Plot is revealed in the 1st act, dealt with in the, 2nd resolved in the 3rd act.

It is said there are seven basic plots in screenwriting.

1. Man against man
2. Man against nature
3. Man against himself
4. Man against God
5. Man against society
6. Man caught in the middle
7. Man and woman

These are the frame work to create the plot at its core.

Once you have determined the plot that best tells your story it becomes part of the “overall story,” the 4th throughline.

Genre step 3

Genre is Category

Williams argues that all narrative feature length films can be categorized as one of eleven ”super genres” (Action, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Slice of Life, Sports, Thriller, War and Western).

When a screenwriter breaks down Genre into category it becomes abundantly clear there are many more potential (categories) Genre’s to choose from.

As society evolves, so does Genre; hence more categories.

Simple enough but complex in the application. There is much to consider when choosing and creating the Genre. Genre is revealed in all 12 essential elements.

We’ve just touched on 3 of the 12 elements in the screenwriters algorithm. As you can see a screenplay has many moving parts with much to consider for great storytelling.

 

 

There are other rules and principles that apply to the craft of screenwriting. Contact, Mario, aka; “Scriptdick,” to further discuss the algorithm and the development of your screenplay.

The 12 step screenwriters algorithm

Gold standard for screenwriting

www.scriptdick.com

thescriptdick@gmail.com