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