1. BASIC STORY STRUCTURE &
SCREENWRITING
by Keith Kinambuga
STORY STRUCTURE
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
THE PITCH
4/16/14

2. Elements of a Screenplay
• Character
• Action
• The setup
• The payoff
• The plot point
by Keith Kinambuga 4/16/14

3. Questions to you…
• What is the most important thing in a
screenplay?
• What is the main difference between a
screenplay and a novel?
by Keith Kinambuga 4/16/14

4. Story Structure
• Story Structure
▫ Act 1: Setup
▫ Act 2: Confrontation
▫ Act 3: Resolution
• Plot Points
▫ Plot Point 1
▫ Plot Point 2
• Dynamics of a scene and sequence
by Keith Kinambuga 4/16/14

5. Subject
• Action
▫ Physical
▫ Emotional
• Character
▫ Need
▫ Support system
by Keith Kinambuga 4/16/14

6. Character Development
• What does the character want or need?
• What is the character flaw?
• What is the character’s support system?
• How does the character transform?
by Keith Kinambuga 4/16/14

7. The Pitch
• Logline
• Tagline
• Synopsis
• Treatment
by Keith Kinambuga 4/16/14

8. Writing Engaging Dialogue
• Write for your character.
• Characters should have mood changes.
• A hero can talk evil and a villain can talk nice.
• Do not repeat from one scene to another.
• Subtext is everything.
by Keith Kinambuga 4/16/14

9. WRITING FOR EPISODIC TV
OUTLINE FOR AN HOUR-LONG TV
EPISODE.
4/16/14