The screenplay is a descriptive, visual blueprint for making a movie. The following is a brief guide to what is contained in a successful screenplay. The writer's job is to provide characters with behavior and dialogue that make them intriguing, edgy, lovable or hateful. The leading characters (protagonist and antagonist - hero and villain) must be imbued with needs and traits that are in conflict with each other. Each of them must have something so important at stake that they would be willing to take great risks to succeed. The audience must root for one of them to get what he wants or they will lose interest in the story.

The setting and the incidents that move the story along must serve the needs of the characters. "The Godfather," which we'll discuss later, is set in the family's compound and in the relatively small world of the Mafia. We learn enough about these characters to care about them when various incidents threaten to destroy their family.

Most screenplays are built on a three act structure:

• Act 1: Setup - The problem + The first turning point
• Act 2: Conflict - The Point of No Return + Crisis 
• Act 3: Resolution - The Climax + resolution

 

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