The document introduces the concepts of subject, action, and character for screenwriting. The subject is defined as an action and a character - the story is about what happens to the central character. Writers must determine the subject of their screenplay by establishing the action - what happens at the beginning and end of the story, and any conflict or obstacles - and developing the central character, including their dramatic need, fears, hopes and backstory.

1. Introduction to Screenwriting
Lesson 3: Subject & Character

2. The Subject
• A subject is defined as an action and a character.
An action is what the story is about and a
character is who a story is about.
• Before you start writing you must know who you
script is about and what happens to him or her. If
you don’t know what your story is about then
who does?
• You must hand in a ‘subject’ for your screenplay
idea by the end of this lesson.

3. Action
• What happens in your story? How does it start?
How does it finish?
• Drama is conflict. What conflict or drama is
there? Obstacles?
• Action – physical/external and
emotional/internal
• Write down the action in your screenplay idea
(2 sentences)

4. Character
• Define the DRAMATIC NEED e.g. to survive, catch a train, to
save someone, to kill a fly, to get home, to fall asleep etc.
• If you know the need you can create obstacles.
• Who is your central character? Yourself? Someone else?
• What are they like? What are their fears and hopes?
Their motivation in the story?
• Write one sentence about their personal, professional and
private life

5. • Can you express the subject of your
screenplay in a few sentences?
• 10 words?
• 5 words?
• 1 word?