The thing that
Moves Your Story
The plot is the main plan of your story. It is the
engine that drives the story forward on course. It is the hook, or mystery,
or engaging "what if" that interests the viewer. The interest grabbing
plot of the example story, Prom
Date is Shaun's desire to date
Laura. His desire for a date and his shyness make him do all the things
he does. This part will be more understandable if you read the example
The plot extends to include all the things that make
the story work. Tim's deceitful ways are part of the plot. Dave's knowledge
is part of the plot. Colin is part of the plot.
Plot is the most important part of a screenplay and
is an integral part of the story. You can write out the plot, or you can
weave the tangled web in your head. But you should know the basic plot.
The easiest way to plot a story is to know two things:
What your characters want, and what the situation is. When the characters
are put in a situation, they are going to start working to get what they
want. For example, if Shaun wants a date for the prom, and Tim wants a
date for the prom, and they're both interested in the same girl, what are
they going to do? Shaun goes directly for the girl (through Tim), but Tim
takes the indirect deceitful route. Complicate things by throwing in some
obstacles, like Dave and Colin, and you have a story.
Plotting a story can be a lot of fun. You keep asking
yourself, "What would this character do in this situation?" or, "What would
happen if this happened?" And you continue throwing your characters into
worse and worse situations until they finally cave in or conquer the problem.
It's fun to ask others what they think someone would do. You'll find by
discussing it with others you'll get a lot of ideas and write a more believable
screenplay. Start getting your ideas on paper as soon as possible. This
helps solidify them so they don't drift around in space forever.
Part of the problem with plotting is that once you
have planned your story through to the end, you know the ending and the
thrill of discovery is finished for you. The way to avoid this is to remember
that each scene is a little story in itself, so you have several little
stories to write for your screenplay.
Hint: The mad rush to
get it written can work in your favor. Instead of writing full scenes,
write brief paragraphs about what is going to happen in the scenes or acts,
so you get a brief sketch of the entire story on paper. There are always
some great scenes you will want to write right away, so do it. This way
the character's motivations can still drive the story, but not get out
of control. (I use this method because it's more fun for me, and works
well for me. This form of writing is called a "treatment," and is used
by many writers.) Then the challenge is to make each scene develop into
a powerful scene.
The subplot is like the plot, but not as important.
It intertwines with the plot and helps develop it. In the Prom
story, the model airplane contest was a subplot. It made Shaun frustrated
in Act I. It got him talking to Dave in Act II. In Act III it was part
of the denouement.
Hint: Romance is a very
1) A plot:
a. Has something to do with cemeteries.
2) A subplot:
b. Is the main conflict that makes everyone tense.
c. Flies airplanes and can't get the wing size right.
d. Is "b." above, plus everything that makes the
story go and twist and turn.
a. Is beneath a casket in the cemetery.
3) An easy way to plot is to:
b. Is a smaller parallel story that helps the main
c. Sits beside the main plot in an airplane.
d. Both "a." and "c." are correct (this answer deserves
a story - write it).
a) Know what your characters want.
4) Elements you could use to make your story more interesting
b) Put your characters in a situation.
c) Put in a good mystery.
d) "a" and "b" are correct, and I might have read
about "c" earlier.
a) A romance subplot.
5) A screenplay outline:
d) Life affirming.
e) These are all true, providing I develop the talent
to actually do it.
a) Follows a formal numerical format, like
b) May be brief paragraphs describing scenes and
c) May keep me from wasting many hours and getting
frustrated and quitting.
d) May include exciting scenes I can't wait to write.
e) Won't be the least bit interesting to other readers.
e) "b", "c", "d" and "e" are correct.