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