ABSTRACT

Screenplay: Building Story Through Character is designed to help screenwriters turn simple or intricate ideas into exciting, multidimensional film narratives with fully-realized characters. Based on Jule Selbo’s unique 11-step structure for building story through characters, the book teaches budding screenwriters the skills to focus and shape their ideas, turning them into stories filled with character development, strong plot elements based on obstacles and conflicts, and multifaceted emotional arcs.

Using examples and analysis from classic and contemporary films across a range of genres, from The Godfather to Guardians of the Galaxy, Selbo’s Screenplay takes students inside the scriptwriting process, providing a broad overview for both beginners and seasoned writers alike. The book is rounded out with discussion questions, writing exercises, a guide to the business of screenwriting, in-depth film breakdowns, and a glossary of screenwriting terms.

chapter 1|9 pages

Idea vs. Story

chapter 2|10 pages

Genesis of Story

chapter 3|8 pages

Three Act Structure and Beyond

chapter 4|19 pages

Eleven Step Story Structure

Character First

chapter 5|23 pages

Character Is Everything

chapter 6|7 pages

Think About the Ending

chapter 8|14 pages

Plot

chapter 9|11 pages

Subplots

A, B and C Stories and Runners

chapter 10|16 pages

Beats, Scenes and Sequences

chapter 11|9 pages

Exposition

chapter 12|12 pages

Dialogue

chapter 13|16 pages

Action, Conflict and Obstacles

chapter 14|5 pages

Events

chapter 15|9 pages

Dramatic Question, Theme and Point of View

chapter 16|13 pages

Logline, Synopsis, Outline and Treatment

chapter 17|8 pages

Start Writing: Act One

chapter 18|11 pages

Working on Act Two

chapter 19|8 pages

Working on Act Three

chapter 20|9 pages

Checklists for Each Act

chapter 21|13 pages

The Business of Being a Screenwriter

chapter 22|48 pages

Eleven Steps Film Breakdowns

chapter 23|8 pages

Short Glossary of Screenwriting Terms