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The voice of someone not seen in the image who is describing or commenting on the image that is taking place. (often sharing the character's thought; not said out loud)
What is a V.O./ voice over?
This ACT of the story introduces us to the main character, shows the world they live in, and sets up their main goal.
What is Act 1
When a character first appears in your script, how should they be introduced so the reader can imagine who they are and what they’re like?
What is a Character ID?
What do you call a short sequence of visual moments that all happen in the same place and timeframe to show a single beat of action?
What is a Series of Shots?
Gives the audience background information about the characters, world, or situation so they understand what’s happening.
What is exposition?
Exterior setting. The scene occuring takes place outdoors.
What is EXT.?
In this ACT, the main character faces obstacles and struggles while trying to achieve their goal.
What is Act 2
What type of conflict happens inside the character, like fear, doubt, or personal struggle, that affects their choices?
What is internal conflict?
What type of sequence shows change over time, like a character growing, learning, or training over days or weeks?
What is a montage?
When exposition is clunky or forced, interrupts the story, or feels unnatural, what is that called?
weak exposition?
What are the brief notes in parentheses under a character’s name in dialogue that tell an actor how to deliver a line?
What is a parenthetical?
In this ACT of the story, the final battle has taken place, and the main conflict is resolved.
What is Act 3
What type of conflict happens between your character and other characters that creates tension in the story?
What is personal conflict?
An editing transition where an image gradually appears on the screen. (usually a script begins with this)
What is a FADE IN/FADE TO?
When exposition is written naturally into the scene and character actions, helping the story flow without slowing it down, what is that called?
What is strong exposition?
What do you call sounds that exist inside the story world and can be heard by the characters, like footsteps or a car horn?
What is diegetic sound?
What is the central “what will happen?” question that keeps the audience wondering throughout the story and is usually answered at the climax?
What is the Dramatic Question?
What type of conflict comes from outside the character, like nature, society, or circumstances, that prevents them from achieving their goal?
What is extrapersonal / external conflict?
What is the name of a sudden, shocking cut from one scene to another that surprises or emphasizes something dramatic or funny?
What is a smash cut?
When a story is told out of order, showing events from different times to create suspense or reveal information slowly, what technique is being used?
What is nonlinear storytelling?
Scene description, character movement, and sounds described in the screenplay.
What is action?
How do you summarize the entire story in a single sentence that tells who the story is about, what they want, what’s in their way, and why it matters?
What is a logline?
How does a character change emotionally, psychologically, or morally over the course of the story because of what happens to them?
What is a character arc?
When two or more actions happen at the same time in different locations, and you show both to the audience under a single heading, what is this technique called?
What is an intercut?
When a writer plants clues, hints, or events early in the story that pay off later in a meaningful way, what storytelling method is this called?
What is foreshadowing?