FADE IN:
INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT
Non-attentive extras are already there.
WRITER stands at the door.
REEL WILLY is left of the TV.
REEL WILLY
(counting)
You see, there are only four elements that a screen play ever needs:
TITLE CARD:
WOWHollywood.com presents...
REEL WILLY
(understanding)
First, we have scene headings.
(neutral)
Next, we have action.
Writer agrees.
REEL WILLY
(shrugging)
Third, we have character slugs.
(whispering)
And finally, we have dialogue.
MUSIC: Background Heroic Adventure
TITLE CARD:
F YOUR SCRIPT
Reel Willy woop-woops.
Writer woop-woops.
OPEN
INT. COMPUTER DESK - NIGHT
CRICKETS sound.
Writer sits in chair alone.
(establishing)
WRITER
(sulking)
Ugh. How do I even begin writing a screenplay? It seems like there are a million rules and technicalities to remember.
CLOSEUP: Writer at computer.
Writer shakes fist.
PULL OUT: Reel Willy is suddenly standing behind Writer.
ANGEL CHOIR sounds.
Writer is surprised.
REEL WILLY
(super excited)
Fear not, young writer! I am here to help you understand the basics of screenplay format.
WRITER
(skeptical)
Really?
INT. TV SOFA - NIGHT
Writer sits on left.
Reel Willy sits on right.
REEL WILLY
(happy)
So, let me tell you a little secret about screenplay format...
(winking)
Make the format invisible to the reader.
Writer is suspicious.
INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT
Non-attentive extras are already there.
Writer stands at the door.
Reel Willy is left of the TV.
REEL WILLY
(counting)
You see, there are only four elements that a screenplay ever needs:
(understanding)
First, we have scene headings.
(time check)
This is where you describe the location and time of a scene.
(flirty)
For example, EXTERIOR. CORNER SHOP - DAY.
TITLE CARD:
EXT. CORNER SHOP - DAY
EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY
BIRDS sound.
Reel Willy stands by the mailbox.
(establishing)
INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT
Non-attentive extras are already there.
Writer stands at the door.
Reel Willy is left of the TV.
Writer agrees.
REEL WILLY
(shy)
Next, we have action.
(smug)
This is where you describe what is happening in the scene.
OMITTED
INT. POLICE CAR (DRIVING) - NIGHT
Reel Willy is behind the wheel.
JACK is in the passenger seat.
Jack is sulking.
Jack pushes Reel Willy.
Reel Willy slaps Jack.
INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT
Non-attentive extras are already there.
Writer stands at the door.
Reel Willy is left of the TV.
REEL WILLY
(scheming)
Be creative and make it visual.
Writer is eating popcorn.
REEL WILLY
(shrugging)
Third, we have character slugs.
(thinking)
Before they speak, however...
(super excited)
You must introduce the characters in the scene.
(thinking)
For example...
(suspicious)
SANTA CLAUS, a 60-year-old elf, appears out of nowhere.
INT. GREEN ROOM - DAY
SANTA CLAUS is to the left middle.
Reel Willy is far from us.
(establishing)
Reel Willy is neutral.
TITLE CARD (centered):
SANTA CLAUS
Laughter, hearty, male, sounds.
Santa laughs hard.
INT. CLASSROOM - NIGHT
Non-attentive extras are already there.
Writer stands at the door.
Reel Willy is left of the TV.
Writer is mind-blown.
REEL WILLY
(whispering)
And finally, we have dialogue.
WRITER
(nail biting)
Let me guess...
(ironic)
This is where the characters speak.
REEL WILLY
(scaring)
Make it snappy,
(disgusted)
make it funny,
(flirty)
make it emotional.
Writer looks up.
Writer is agreeing.
INT. ELEVATOR - DAY
Reel Willy is to the right at the doors.
SAMIR is by the buttons.
(establishing)
Man sneezing sound.
Reel Willy is sneezing.
SAMIR
(disagreeing)
This is my only scene, isn't it
REEL WILLY
(thumbs up)
Afraid so.
INT. COMPUTER DESK - NIGHT
Computer keyboard sounds.
Writer sits in the chair.
(establishing)
Writer does an exploding brofist.
CLOSEUP: Writer at computer.
PULL OUT: Reel Willy is suddenly standing behind Writer.
ANGEL CHOIR sounds.
REEL WILLY
(happy sigh)
And remember, if you never use a parenthetical,
SUPER (top center):
(parenthetical)
REEL WILLY
(looks left)
transition,
SUPER (middle right):
CUT TO:
REEL WILLY
(tired)
superimposition,
SUPER (lower left):
SUPER: "The Next Day"
REEL WILLY
(rage contained)
flashback,
SUPER (top right):
FLASHBACK: 1967
REEL WILLY
(yuge)
mon-todge
SUPER (middle left):
MONTAGE - KRIS AND JESSICA FALL IN LOVE...
REEL WILLY
(shaking fist)
or any other technical cue,
SUPER (top left):
CLOSE UP
SUPER (middle center):
INSERT:
SUPER (lower right):
INTERCUT WITH:
REEL WILLY
(winking)
it won’t be missed!
Writer is relieved.
REEL WILLY
(tired)
Most angles, shots and P-O-V's
(mind blown)
can be accomplished with well-worded narrative,
(thumbs up)
devoid of technical intrusion.
Angel choir sounds.
CLOSEUP: Writer at computer.
Reel Willy is gone.
WRITER
(super excited)
WOW!!
PULL OUT: Writer sits alone.
Computer keyboard sounds.
MUSIC: Heroic Adventure
TITLE CARD:
WOW Hollywood!
Writer fist pumps.
Computer keyboard sounds.
TITLE CARD:
FYourScript.com
TAG
INT. TV SOFA - NIGHT
Writer sits alone on left.
Danger chord sounds.
Writer is eating popcorn.
WRITER
(slow clap)
I. Am. Good!
On TV SOFA, Reel Willy sits on Writer’s right.
Angel choir sounds.
Reel Willy is proud.
Reel Willy high-fives Writer.
MUSIC: Psycho drama discovery
Reel Willy is eating popcorn.
FADE OUT.