STANDARD TERMS FOR SCRIPTWRITERS

 

A Scriptwriter’s Terminology:

• 1 SENTENCE PITCH
• LOGLINE
• SYPNOSIS
• CHARACTER BIO
• CHARACTER BIBLE
• 3 ACT STRUCTURE
• STORYLINE
• TREATMENT
• PLOTS / SUBPLOTS
• SCENE BREAKDOWN
• BEATS
• SCRIPT

All situations/plots need:

• HOOK / TEASER
• MOTIVE
• CONFLICT / OBSTACLES
• DRAMA / ACTION
• DRAMATIC SEQUENCE
• UP THE STAKES
• CHAIN REACTION
• RESOLUTION
• OUTCOME
• CLOSURE

Terms and the 3 Act Structure:

• PARADIGM = diagram of screenplay ( story map )
• ACTS - ACT 1, ACT 2, ACT 3
• SET UP
• CONFRONTATION
• RESOLUTION
• PLOT POINTS
• TURNING POINTS
• MOTIVE
• CONFLICT
• DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT
• UP THE STAKES
• CLIMAX