Independent Film Screenwriting 101

A screenplay is a blueprint that moves words to the screen, not meant to be read. Start with Hollywood format—interior exterior, action, and dialogue—and outline who, what, where, and when.

Decide what kind of film you want to write. Commit to finishing the script and sticking to it, independently within a budget, and choose a genre early to fit resources.

Define the protagonist, antagonist, and supporting characters, their goals and needs, to map the story and determine if you can shoot this film on your own.

Learn to craft a rich backstory that supports the main plot with a visual chart, detailing acts, plot points, and the midpoint.

Back to the 90s teaches a scene-based screenplay method using 100 short one-minute scenes, drafted quickly and visually with an optional template.

Learn to map the beginning, middle, and end using a downloadable template, transfer plot points to form acts, and craft dynamic scenes that keep audiences engaged.

Establish characters, environment, mood, and period in act one; define the problem and needs, introduce the antagonist, then raise stakes and present twists and choices toward act three finale.

After finishing a feature, decide to shoot or rewrite; seek external opinions, back up your script, read it to spot issues, and adjust scenes to fit budget or location constraints.

Explore practical tips for independent film screenwriting, including a 90-page screenplay guideline, using index cards to reorder scenes, and embracing the efficient 1990s method for first drafts.