Before a camera rolls. Before actors rehearse. Before a location is booked. There is one thing that must exist first.
The screenplay.
Every film you have ever watched started as words on paper. That is why screenwriting is not just the first step in filmmaking. It is the foundation of everything that follows.
If you are serious about understanding filmmaking properly, I strongly recommend you first read All The Stages Of Film Production Explained. It will help you see where screenwriting fits inside the bigger production journey.
Now let us focus on how to start screenwriting as a beginner, not from theory, but from real creative experience.
What Screenwriting Really Is
When I first started writing scripts, I thought screenwriting was just storytelling. I believed if I had a good story in my head, I was ready.
I was wrong.
Screenwriting is not just storytelling. It is visual storytelling structured in a way that a director, actors, cinematographer, production designer, and editor can understand and execute.
A screenplay is a production blueprint. It is not a novel. It is not an essay. It is not a motivational speech. It is a technical document written creatively.
If you misunderstand this, your script will feel confusing on set.
Step One: Understand Proper Screenplay Format
The first mistake most beginners make is ignoring format.
You might think format is not important as long as the story is good. That thinking will hurt you.
In the film industry, format communicates professionalism. When producers or directors see incorrect formatting, they immediately know the writer does not understand the craft.
Before you write anything serious, study The Proper Format for a Screenplay. That guide breaks down exactly how scenes, dialogue, character names, and action lines should appear.
Formatting is not decoration. It controls pacing. It controls readability. It controls timing. One properly formatted page roughly equals one minute of screen time. That is how production teams calculate runtime and budgeting.
If you ignore format, you are not just breaking a rule. You are creating production problems.
Step Two: Understand The Core Elements Of A Strong Script
After format, the next thing you must understand is structure and essential elements.
A screenplay is built on a few core pillars. If any of them are weak, the entire story collapses.
To understand these foundations clearly, read 4 Key Elements For A Winning Video Script Or Screenplay.
From experience, the elements that truly matter are:
Clarity of concept.
Strong characters.
Conflict that drives the story forward.
Purpose behind every scene.
Many beginners write beautiful scenes that go nowhere. A good screenplay never wastes time. Every scene must push the story forward or deepen character understanding.
Step Three: Learn How To Write Actions Properly
One of the biggest differences between a beginner script and a professional one is how action lines are written.
Action lines are not novels. They are not long descriptive paragraphs. They are clear, visual, and direct.
Instead of writing what a character feels, you write what the audience can see.
Instead of explaining emotions, you show behavior.
If you want to master this properly, study How To Write Actions In A Screenplay.
When I learned to cut unnecessary explanation and focus only on what the camera can capture, my scripts instantly became stronger.
Step Four: Understand Theme In Screenwriting
Most beginners focus on plot and ignore theme.
Plot is what happens. Theme is what it means.
If you do not understand your theme, your story will feel empty even if the events are exciting.
You need to study Themes in Screenwriting to understand how deeper meaning shapes your narrative.
Then go further and read How To Create A Theme For Your Screenplay so you can intentionally design that meaning instead of discovering it accidentally.
Theme guides character decisions. It influences conflict. It determines how your story ends.
When your theme is clear, your screenplay feels focused.
Start With A Strong Concept
Before writing page one, ask yourself a simple question.
What is this story really about?
Not the events. Not the genre.
What is the core idea driving everything?
If your concept is weak, no amount of formatting or dialogue will save the script.
A strong concept creates natural tension. It makes people curious. It gives your story direction.
If you want to understand how to shape that properly, study How To Develop A Screenplay Concept That Drives Your Story Forward.
From experience, once the concept is solid, writing becomes easier because the story already knows where it is going.
Why Most Beginners Struggle
Most beginners struggle because they try to write a full script before understanding structure.
They jump into dialogue.
They focus on cool scenes.
They write without planning.
Then halfway through, they get stuck.
Screenwriting requires patience. Planning saves rewriting time later.
You are not just writing for yourself. You are writing for a production team that will rely on your clarity.
Think Like A Filmmaker, Not Just A Writer
One shift that changed my writing was thinking beyond the page.
I started asking:
How will this scene be shot?
What will this cost to produce?
Is this location realistic?
Does this dialogue feel natural when spoken aloud?
When you think like a filmmaker, your scripts become practical. Producers respect practical writers.
Start Small Before Writing A Feature Film
Do not start with a two hour epic.
Start with short scripts.
Five minutes. Ten minutes. Fifteen minutes.
Learn pacing. Learn structure. Learn character movement.
Short scripts teach discipline. They force you to focus on what matters.
Once you can tell a complete story in a short format, expanding becomes easier.
Screenwriting Is Rewriting
Your first draft will not be perfect.
Accept that.
Professional writers rewrite constantly. They refine dialogue. They tighten action lines. They cut unnecessary scenes.
The goal is clarity and impact.
When you treat rewriting as part of the process instead of a punishment, your growth becomes faster.
What You Must Master Before Moving Forward
Before we go deeper into characters and advanced storytelling in Part 2, make sure you understand:
Proper screenplay format.
Core structural elements.
Clear visual action writing.
Strong thematic direction.
Powerful concept development.
Without these, character work will feel shallow.
In the next part, we will break down characters deeply because characters are the heart of every great screenplay.
Characters Are The Heart Of Your Screenplay
You can have a great concept. You can understand formatting. You can structure your scenes properly.
But if your characters are weak, your screenplay will not survive.
Audiences do not connect to plots. They connect to people.
When I started writing seriously, I realized something important. Viewers will forgive a simple story if they love the characters. But they will never forgive empty characters inside an exciting plot.
So if you want to start screenwriting properly, you must master character creation.
Understand The Major Character Roles In Storytelling
Before you start creating random personalities, you need to understand the functional roles characters play in a story.
Every story has structural character positions that shape the narrative direction.
To understand this clearly, read The 5 Major Characters In Storytelling.
When you understand these roles, you stop writing characters that exist without purpose. Every major character should influence the protagonist’s journey in a meaningful way.
What Defines A Character In A Screenplay
A character is not just a name.
A character is defined by decisions under pressure.
What they want. What they fear. What they are willing to sacrifice.
If you want to go deeper into this foundation, study What Defines A Character In A Screenplay.
From experience, once you understand this principle, your characters stop feeling flat. They start feeling alive.
Creating Strong Characters That Carry Your Story
Strong characters are not perfect. They are layered.
They have strengths. They have weaknesses. They have contradictions.
To build characters that can actually carry a full screenplay, read Tips On Creating A Strong Character For Your Screenplay.
One thing I learned is that strong characters are built intentionally. You do not discover them accidentally. You design them carefully.
Build A Cast That Feels Intentional
Many beginners focus only on the main character and treat other characters as background decorations.
This weakens your script.
Every supporting character should either challenge, assist, or complicate the protagonist’s journey.
If you want to understand how to structure your entire cast properly, read How To Create A Cast Of Characters For Your Screenplay.
A well designed cast creates natural conflict and stronger scenes.
Find Your Character’s Goal
Every strong story is driven by desire.
If your main character does not want something specific, your story will drift without direction.
Clear goals create tension. Obstacles create drama.
To master this principle, read Key Steps To Finding Your Character’s Goal In A Story.
When your character’s goal is clear, every scene naturally aligns with that pursuit.
Understand The Two Main Character Types
At the core of most stories, there are two primary character forces driving conflict.
The protagonist and the opposing force.
If you do not understand how these two energies interact, your conflict will feel weak.
To understand this clearly, read Understanding The 2 Main Types Of Characters In A Screenplay.
Conflict is the engine of drama. And conflict only exists when these forces are strong.
Create Complex Characters
Real people are complex. They are not one dimensional.
If your characters are predictable, your screenplay becomes predictable.
To learn how to add depth and internal layers, study How To Create A Complex Character For Your Screenplay.
Complexity creates surprise. Surprise keeps audiences engaged.
Character Development Throughout The Story
Characters should not end the story the same way they began.
Growth, failure, transformation, or realization must happen.
This journey is called development.
To understand how to write it properly, read How To Write Character Development In A Screenplay.
Development gives your story emotional payoff.
Character Flaws And Character Arc
Flaws are powerful.
They create internal conflict. They create mistakes. They create emotional depth.
Your character arc is shaped by how they confront and overcome their flaws.
To understand the meaning and differences clearly, read Character Flaws And Character Arc.
From experience, the strongest stories are built on internal transformation, not just external victory.
Naming Characters Properly
Names matter more than beginners realize.
A confusing or unrealistic name can distract readers.
A fitting name strengthens identity.
If you want practical guidance on this, read Best Practices For Naming Characters In Your Screenplay.
Small details build professionalism.
Introducing Characters The Right Way
The first time a character appears on screen, that moment shapes audience perception.
A weak introduction creates weak impact.
A strong introduction creates memory.
To learn how to introduce characters effectively, read How To Introduce Characters In A Screenplay.
First impressions matter in storytelling just like they do in real life.
Make Your Characters Believable
No matter how dramatic your story is, characters must feel real.
Their dialogue must sound natural. Their reactions must make sense. Their emotions must feel earned.
If you want to strengthen realism, read How To Make Your Characters Believable In A Screenplay.
Believability is what keeps audiences emotionally invested.
Why Character Mastery Changes Everything
When you master characters, writing becomes easier.
You stop forcing scenes. You stop struggling with dialogue. You stop wondering what happens next.
Because once you truly understand your characters, they begin to make decisions naturally.
And when that happens, your screenplay starts feeling alive.
In Part 3, we will move into treatments, synopsis, proposals, and how to prepare your screenplay concept for pitching and selling.
Before You Write The Full Script, Write The Treatment
One mistake many beginners make is jumping straight into writing a full screenplay without first organizing the story properly.
I did this early on, and it cost me time.
I would write forty pages, then realize the middle was weak. I would change the ending, then the beginning stopped making sense.
That is when I understood the power of a film treatment.
A film treatment is a detailed prose version of your story. It explains the narrative clearly from beginning to end before you commit to full screenplay formatting.
If you want to understand how to write one properly, study How To Write A Film Treatment.
A treatment helps you test your story structure. If it does not work in treatment form, it will not magically work in script form.
Formatting Your Film Treatment Correctly
Just like screenplays have formatting standards, treatments also require structure.
Clarity matters.
Professional presentation matters.
To understand how to structure your treatment clearly and professionally, read How To Format A Film Treatment.
When your document looks organized, it communicates seriousness.
Producers are more likely to read something that feels polished and clear.
Introducing Characters In A Film Treatment
Introducing characters inside a treatment is different from introducing them inside a screenplay.
In a screenplay, introductions are visual and brief.
In a treatment, you have slightly more space to describe their personality and motivation.
To understand how to do this effectively, read How To Introduce Characters In Your Film Treatment.
Remember, even in a treatment, clarity is more important than long descriptions.
Understand The Difference Between A Synopsis And A Film Treatment
Many beginners confuse these two.
A synopsis is shorter and more condensed.
A film treatment is more detailed and immersive.
If you are unsure which one you need at a particular stage, read The Difference Between A Synopsis And Film Treatment.
Knowing the difference saves you from submitting the wrong document to the wrong person.
Understand The Difference Between A Film Proposal And A Treatment
A film proposal goes beyond storytelling.
It may include market positioning, target audience, financial projections, and production intentions.
A treatment focuses mainly on the story.
To understand the clear distinction, read The Difference Between A Film Proposal And Treatment.
Understanding industry documentation is part of being a serious screenwriter.
How To Sell A Film Treatment
Writing is only one part of the journey.
Eventually, you will want your story produced.
That means learning how to pitch.
Before approaching producers or production companies, you must understand positioning, presentation, and professionalism.
To prepare yourself for that stage, read How To Sell A Film Treatment.
From experience, people do not just buy ideas. They invest in writers who understand the business side of filmmaking.
Screenwriting Is Both Art And Structure
Many beginners lean too heavily to one side.
Some focus only on creativity and ignore structure.
Others focus too much on technical rules and forget emotional depth.
Strong screenwriting balances both.
You need imagination.
You need discipline.
You need storytelling instinct.
You need structural awareness.
Developing Your Own Voice As A Screenwriter
After understanding format, character, theme, concept, and treatment writing, something important begins to happen.
You start developing your own voice.
Your way of writing dialogue.
Your way of building tension.
Your preferred themes.
Your perspective on conflict and resolution.
Do not rush this stage.
Voice develops through practice and rewriting.
The more you write, the clearer your identity becomes.
Practical Advice For Beginners Starting Today
If you are just starting, here is what I recommend based on experience.
Study formatting seriously.
Write short scripts before long ones.
Create strong character foundations before writing dialogue.
Develop your theme before designing your ending.
Write a treatment before committing to a full screenplay.
Rewrite without ego.
And most importantly, finish what you start.
Why Screenwriting Is The Foundation Of Film Production
Everything in filmmaking depends on the script.
Budget decisions depend on it.
Casting decisions depend on it.
Location planning depends on it.
Production scheduling depends on it.
If the script is weak, production struggles.
If the script is strong, production flows.
This is why screenwriting sits at the heart of All The Stages Of Film Production Explained.
It is not just the first step. It is the guiding force behind every other stage.
Final Thoughts On Starting Screenwriting
Starting screenwriting can feel overwhelming.
There are formats to learn.
There are structures to understand.
There are characters to design.
There are treatments to write.
But once you break it into stages, the process becomes clear.
Master the fundamentals.
Develop strong characters.
Strengthen your concept.
Organize your story through a treatment.
Then write with confidence.
Screenwriting is not about talent alone.
It is about discipline, clarity, and understanding how film actually works.
If you commit to learning the craft properly, you are not just writing scripts.
You are building the foundation for films that can actually be produced.