How to write screenplays
  • 1. What is the first thing you should do when starting a screenplay?
A) Create character bios.
B) Develop a compelling logline.
C) Outline the action sequences.
D) Write the dialogue.
  • 2. What is the standard screenplay font?
A) Courier 12pt
B) Arial 11pt
C) Times New Roman 12pt
D) Helvetica 10pt
  • 3. What does 'INT.' stand for?
A) Introduction
B) International
C) Intense
D) Interior
  • 4. What does 'EXT.' stand for?
A) Exterior
B) External
C) Extended
D) Extinguish
  • 5. A 'beat' in a screenplay refers to:
A) A pause or moment of silence.
B) A musical cue.
C) A fight scene.
D) A character's heartbeat.
  • 6. What is a screenplay's primary purpose?
A) To win awards.
B) To be a blueprint for a film.
C) To be read as a novel.
D) To be a literary masterpiece.
  • 7. What is 'slugline' another name for?
A) Parenthetical
B) Dialogue Tag
C) Scene Heading
D) Action Line
  • 8. Which of these is NOT a typical act in a three-act structure?
A) Setup
B) Resolution
C) Confrontation
D) Denouement
  • 9. What is the purpose of character arcs?
A) To show character development and change.
B) To introduce new characters.
C) To pad the runtime.
D) To confuse the audience.
  • 10. What is a 'MacGuffin'?
A) A special effect.
B) An object that drives the plot.
C) A flashback sequence.
D) A supporting character.
  • 11. What is the term for when information is given to the audience that the characters do not know?
A) Situational Irony
B) Verbal Irony
C) Cosmic Irony
D) Dramatic Irony
  • 12. What is the 'inciting incident'?
A) The event that sets the story in motion.
B) A minor plot point.
C) The resolution of the story.
D) The climax of the story.
  • 13. What is 'Voice Over' abbreviated as?
A) VOX
B) OV
C) VCR
D) V.O.
  • 14. What is the purpose of a montage?
A) To introduce a new character.
B) To show the passage of time or a series of related events.
C) To slow down the pace of the story.
D) To confuse the audience.
  • 15. Which of these is a common screenplay mistake?
A) Creating compelling characters.
B) Using strong verbs.
C) Writing on-the-nose dialogue.
D) Showing, not telling.
  • 16. What does it mean to 'show, don't tell'?
A) To use only dialogue.
B) To directly state facts to the audience.
C) To hide the plot from the audience.
D) To reveal information through actions and visuals, not exposition.
  • 17. What is the purpose of a protagonist?
A) To provide comic relief.
B) To drive the main action of the story
C) To be the villain.
D) To be a background character.
  • 18. What is an antagonist?
A) The character or force opposing the protagonist.
B) A supporting character who always agrees with the protagonist.
C) The protagonist's best friend.
D) A neutral character.
  • 19. What is 'pacing' in a screenplay?
A) The number of pages in the script.
B) The speed and rhythm of the story.
C) The director's notes.
D) The font size used in the script.
  • 20. What does 'POV' stand for in a screenplay?
A) Point of View
B) Power Over Voltage
C) Proof of Value
D) Piece of Vinyl
  • 21. What is the 'climax' of a screenplay?
A) The turning point or most intense moment in the story.
B) The beginning of the story.
C) The end of the story.
D) A minor conflict.
  • 22. What is a 'beat sheet'?
A) A list of camera angles.
B) A character biography.
C) An outline of key plot points in a story.
D) A list of sound effects.
  • 23. What is a 'treatment'?
A) A detailed summary of the screenplay.
B) A list of actors.
C) A marketing plan for the film.
D) A rough draft of the screenplay.
  • 24. What is the importance of conflict in a screenplay?
A) It makes the story boring.
B) It is not necessary for a good story.
C) It makes the story predictable.
D) It drives the plot and creates tension.
  • 25. What is a good page-to-screen-minute ratio in a screenplay?
A) 10 pages equals approximately 1 minute of screen time.
B) 1 page equals approximately 5 minutes of screen time.
C) 1 page equals approximately 1 minute of screen time.
D) 5 pages equals approximately 1 minute of screen time.
  • 26. What is 'resolution' in a screenplay?
A) A moment of intense action.
B) A fight scene.
C) The part of the story where conflicts are resolved and loose ends are tied up.
D) The introduction to a character.
  • 27. What is 'exposition' in a screenplay?
A) Background information about the characters, setting, and plot.
B) The most exciting part of the story.
C) A surprise twist.
D) A musical interlude.
  • 28. What is a 'logline'?
A) A detailed character biography.
B) A list of locations.
C) A marketing slogan for the film.
D) A brief summary of the story's plot and central conflict.
  • 29. What does 'OS' stand for in a screenplay?
A) On Stage
B) Off Screen
C) Original Score
D) Out of Sync
  • 30. What is a 'callback' in a screenplay?
A) A phone call in the script.
B) Casting the film.
C) Referring back to an earlier plot point or joke.
D) A stage direction for an actor.
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