How to Prepare Your Screenplay: 3 Key Elements to Know Before Writing

Bri here! These are the three biggest screenplay issues I see popping up when giving coverage — the ones that can make writers feel like they need to start over, even after spending so much time on their script already. Getting these right before you start writing can save you a ton of frustration and keep your story moving forward.

1. A Strong Story Engine

Before writing scenes, it helps to be really clear on what’s driving your story. A strong story engine is the central problem, goal, or conflict that creates ongoing pressure from beginning to end — the thing that keeps forcing your character to act. A solid story engine gives you built-in momentum and ideas for new scenes because the tension itself becomes a fuel source for the narrative, not just a sequence of events that happen to your character. 

With a clear engine, decisions feel more obvious, and the story naturally moves forward even before you start outlining.

2. A Protagonist Who is Driving the Story

Your main character shouldn’t just be along for the ride — they should be the one whose actions and decisions move the plot forward. This means understanding what they want, what they’re afraid of, and the choices they’ll make (or avoid) to achieve their goal. When your protagonist is fully defined, the plot doesn’t just happen to them — it unfolds because of the decisions they take and the actions they drive.

When your protagonist’s goals and conflicts are clear, every scene has purpose, and you always know whose choice is pushing the story forward and why it matters.

3. A Planned Structure

Before you dive into writing pages, it really helps to have a sense of how your story unfolds—whether that’s a beat sheet, a plotted outline, or a list of major plot points. This is where you take the engine and protagonist you’ve already defined and start shaping the moments that matter most: the setup, the turning points, the midpoint, the climax, and the resolution. You don’t need a rigid page-by-page script yet, but you do need enough of a roadmap to know what comes next and why it matters.

When you know where your big beats fall and how each scene is meant to push the story forward, you’re far less likely to wander or overwrite your scenes. Many writers find this step clarifies what their scenes are for—not just what happens in them.

If you want to work through these steps and build your outline with guidance, our 6-week Screenwriting Workshop starts this Thursday — and there’s just one spot left.

In this workshop, we're going to walk you through the development process step by step: refining your concept, grounding it in character, and building a clear, intentional outline you can confidently draft from. 

By the end of the workshop, you won’t just have ideas — you’ll have:

• A focused logline and clear story premise
• A fully developed protagonist driving the story
• A complete, ready-to-write beat sheet outline
• Confidence in your story before you begin drafting

Learn more and sign up here! Classes start this Thursday, February 26th!