How Do I (Quickly) Write a Screenplay?

A majority of budding screenwriters toil away for years on a screenplay and wonder if there is an end in sight. They’re lost in plot and character and have written themselves into a corner. Their first 20 pages are a slog, the second act is vapid, and the third act doesn’t punch like they had imagined. They’re ready to throw in the towel. This is a common pitfall of many screenwriters.

When starting a new screenplay, choose a story idea that has narrative legs—connective tissue that entails a beginning, middle, and end. You have a clear visualization of who the key players are—the protagonist, antagonist, and secondary characters. Another key component is that screenwriting is meant for a visual medium. Can you visualize this story on the silver screen? Also be realistic about