Screenwriting Quiz

Story

The journey your characters embark upon.

Plot

The events that make up your story.

Characters

Emotionally complex, multi-dimensional people that make up the world of your story. Protagonist, Antagonist, Supporting, and Minor characters.

Structure

The physical framework for the world you are creating.

Protagonist

The main character of the story.

Antagonist

The formidable force who acts against the protagonist.

Supporting Characters

They play a critical role in the story’s plot.

Minor Characters

They add color, texture, and dimension to your story, helping give your characters relatability.

Character Arc

An emotional or physical transformation that a character goes through in a story.

Motivation

Why a character does something.

Intention

How a character does something.

Goal

What a character is trying to accomplish.

Setting

Where does the scene take place?

Characters (in a scene)

Who is in the scene and what is their purpose?

Action (in a scene)

What happens in the scene?

Conflict

Central issues in a story that disrupt the main character’s life. External, Internal, and Philosophical.

Obstacles

Specific roadblocks or hurdles that prevent the main character from achieving his goal. External and Internal.

Tension

A narrative device created by tightening the stakes for a character.

Set Ups and Pay Offs

Foreshadowing of something that will come later in the story.

Division of Knowledge

Who knows what, when, in a narrative.

Ticking Clock

Deadline for protagonist as they work to reach their goal.

Cross-Cutting

Writer cuts back and forth from one scene to another to build momentum.

Reversals

When a story goes in one direction then undergoes an organic shift or twist that heightens the stakes.

Log Line

A short and concise summary that touches on the plot while communicating emotion, theme, and genre.

Status Quo

The initial state of affairs in a story before any major changes or conflicts occur.

Inciting Incident

An event that sets the main plot into motion, disrupting the status quo and forcing the protagonist to take action.

Stakes

The consequences or outcomes that the protagonist faces if they fail to achieve their goal, often heightening the tension in the story.

Point of no return

A moment in the story when the protagonist can no longer turn back from their journey or the choices they have made, leading to irreversible consequences.

Confrontation

When the protagonist faces their main conflict or antagonist, leading to a decisive outcome.

Act 1

The first part of a screenplay that establishes the setting, introduces characters, and presents the main conflict, typically culminating in a turning point.

Act 1 break (Plot point 1)

A pivotal moment in Act 1 that transitions the story from setup to confrontation, often marked by a significant event or decision by the protagonist.

Act 2

The second part of a screenplay where the protagonist faces obstacles and complications, leading to further character development and escalation of conflict.

Midpoint

A significant event occurring in Act 2 that changes the direction of the story, often revealing new information or shifting the protagonist's goals.

Climax

The most intense point in the story, usually occurring in Act 3, where the main conflict reaches its peak and the protagonist must confront their greatest challenge.

2nd Act break (Plot point 2)

The point in Act 2 where the story shifts dramatically, often leading to the climax and resolving major conflicts.

Act 3

The final act of a screenplay where the climax occurs and the story's conflicts are resolved, leading to the conclusion.

3rd Act Twist

A surprising turn of events in the final act that changes the direction of the story, often revealing hidden truths or altering character motivations.

genre

A category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter, such as drama, comedy, or horror.

Methods for Generating Stories

• Create Characters/Bios

• Conversations overheard

• Read News Stories

• Listen to Music

• Use your Imagination