Writing for the 21st Century: The Art of Screenwriting

Zoë Zavrotny • zoezavrotny@gmail.comScience, Discovery, and the Universe

English: Literary and Cultural Studies

IntroductionFor my capstone project, I chose to write a

screenplay, which is also known as a movie script. As an English major in Literature and Cultural Studies, writing seemed like a natural path to take for my final project. I originally wanted to write a novel, but ended up choosing a screenplay because the writing style of a screenplay more closely matches my thought processes when writing.

Screenplay scenes, as opposed to novel scenes, tend to focus more on showing instead of telling. Every detail is meant to be seen and heard, rather than read. It is a much more nuanced form of storytelling that I was more drawn to.

Nothing in a screenplay goes to waste; everything is intentional. My mentor, Lee Bridges, told me that each and every line in a script advances the story in some way, no matter how insignificant the scene may seem.

The average screenplay runs about 120 pages, which is about equivalent to a two-hour long film. This 120-page script was the goal that I began with, but the entire project included many more aspects in terms of preparation. I could not just sit down and begin writing a 120-page script; I had to build up my skills to a point that such a feat was possible.

The entire process of preparing for and writing my screenplay took me about 200 hours to complete, but could have lasted even longer if time allowed.

Why It MattersAn issue that many aspiring writers face is how

they are meant to support themselves. Writing is not famously a profitable profession, especially as books are being thrown out for television and film.

With the knowledge that film is more popular than literature with younger audiences, writers may find a more profitable or reliable job. Often times, television shows are written by large teams of writers and editors rather than a single person. This team effort gives a sense of stability that many traditional writers may not have. Screenwriting is a way to stay in the business of being a writer without subjecting yourself to an already-dying industry. It is a path that I think many writers tend to look past or not even consider, despite it being a viable option.

The FutureMy capstone was very productive for my hopeful

advancement in the future. I greatly enjoyed each and every step of the process, despite being wary of my abilities at first. Although this specific screenplay will likely not draw interest from production companies, this project was a crucial first step in my possible career as a screenwriter. Especially because I have now written my first piece so early in life, I think I hold an advantage over many writers my age who want to pursue the field of screenwriting.

Not that I have finished my capstone, I think I may continue to further refine this specific script through a few more editing runs. Just to humor myself, I may also try to get this screenplay out into the world to see if it garners any interest.

Regardless of the success of this screenplay, I would very much like to write more screenplays. Since beginning my capstone, I’ve thought of a few more plot ideas that I would like to entertain. I’m glad that I chose to write a screenplay for my capstone, as I think it has given me a definite future career possibility, if not just a new artistic outlet.

Special thanks to: Lee Bridges, Dr. Alan Peel, all SDU staff & students, and my friends for supporting me

What I DidWith the help of my mentor, I began the writing

process with various exercises. The first task I was assigned was to simply write for at least 15 minutes everyday about anything at all. This got me into the habit of writing, and therefore feeling like my day was not complete unless I had written something.

The next step in the process was to create plots based on occupations, goals, and obstacles that I selected at random each day. This exercise helped me to develop my ability to create stories out of story elements.

Next, I began the development process. I created character biographies, story summaries, and scene outlines to hash out the story I wanted to tell. Along the way, I also read multiple scripts—such as Lady Bird, Inglorious Basterds, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower—and compared them to their film versions to learn how writing transfers to screen.

Finally, I began the writing and editing process for my actual screenplay. I completed two edits after the initial writing of my script, and my final product rounded out at about the desired 120 pages.

Photos from the film Beautiful Boy, Us Weekly, and The PlaylistOne thing I learned is that films should be written for certain actors—write the role with them in mind. I saw my lead characters Patrick, Jean, and Laura as Timotheé Chalamet (left), Fionn Whitehead (right), and Elle Fanning (bottom).

Photo from The Hollywood ReporterGreta Gerwig’s script for the movie Lady Bird, whose protagonist is featured here, inspired my writing style and and some of the themes of my screenplay.

The StoryMy screenplay is a coming-of-age movie that

follows a young woman through her struggles with mental health, family, and her relationships with two different men. It focuses on the issue of dependency that is often developed by those with mental health and self-image issues, and inspires the breaking of that dependency in order to get better.

I wanted to write a relatable story with both internal and external conflict, and I think I did quite a good job for my first try. I think I found a good balance between being inspired by my own life while still remaining very fictitious.

The first printed copy of my script.