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Screenwriting Basics
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Act Two
The middle section of a screenplay, often the longest, where the protagonist faces obstacles.
Flashback
A scene in a screenplay that interrupts the present action to depict an event from the past.
MacGuffin
An object or device in a screenplay that is a catalyst for the plot but may have little significance on its own.
High Concept
A type of screenplay with a simple, unique idea that is easy to visualize and has broad appeal.
Voiceover
Narration by a character not seen in the film, often providing context or backstory.
Plot Point
A significant event within a screenplay that spins the story in another direction.
Fade Out
A screenwriting term used to describe the end of a scene, where the image transitions to black.
Spec Script
A speculative screenplay written with no guarantee of payment, written in the hopes of being sold or optioned.
Option
An agreement giving a producer or studio the exclusive right to purchase a screenplay for a certain period.
Treatment
A detailed outline of a story, including the main events and character arcs, often written before the screenplay.
Resolution
The portion of a script where the main conflict is resolved and the story is brought to a close.
Act Three
The final section of a screenplay, featuring the climax and resolution of the story.
Act One
The first section of a screenplay, establishing characters, setting, and the inciting incident.
Character Arc
The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story.
Fade In
A screenwriting term used to describe the transition from black to the first visual image of a screenplay.
Beat
A pause in dialogue or a moment in a scene that signifies a shift in emotion or timing.
Slugline
A script element that specifies location, time of day, and other scene-setting information, usually in CAPS.
Inciting Incident
A plot point that launches the main action of a story, disrupting the life of the protagonist.
Three-Act Structure
A storytelling framework that divides a narrative into three parts: Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution.
Foreshadowing
A technique used in screenwriting to hint at events that will occur later in the story.
Subplot
A secondary storyline that supports and enhances the main plot, often involving supporting characters.
Dialogue
The spoken words of characters in a screenplay, advancing the plot and revealing character.
Denouement
The final part of a screenplay where the strands of the plot are drawn together and resolved.
Scene Heading
Another term for 'slugline,' denoting location and time at the beginning of a scene in a screenplay.
Script Coverage
A report that summarizes and evaluates a screenplay, commonly used in the industry as part of the script development process.
Montage
A series of shots edited together to compress time, convey information, or create an emotional effect.
Reveal
A moment in a screenplay where a previously unseen or unknown plot element is made known to the audience.
Climax
The point of highest tension in a screenplay, where the protagonist confronts the central conflict.
Logline
A one-sentence summary of the main concept of a script, often used as a pitching tool.
Exposition
Information revealed in a screenplay that provides background about the characters, setting, and story.
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