Sawyer Petrick has a BA in film from The New School and has worked as a writer for Whole Picture Films, writing the second episode of a web series called The Look. He has also consulted on the script for a feature film called The Speech. Out of all the different roles available in the film industry, Sawyer Petrick is particularly interested in screenplay writing.
A screenplay or script is the storytelling backbone of a film or tv show. There are a number of qualities that are shared by the best screenplays. Here are three:
1. Relatable protagonist.
A screenplay should have a relatable protagonist - also known as a hero or heroine. All strong screenplays have protagonists that people can empathize with. Viewers don’t necessarily have to like the hero or heroine of the story, but they must be able to be able to see themselves in his or her shoes in some way.
2. Corresponding villain.
Screenplays also need a villain that is the opposite of the hero. The villain or antagonist can be a person, a monster, or something intangible like a vice or bad habit. The antagonist is someone or something that prevents the hero from being fulfilled. When considered together, the hero and the villain should form a complete picture. For example, the physically strong and inherently noble Superman against the amoral and brilliant Lex Luthor gives the viewer a complete picture of good and evil, or, alternatively, strength and intelligence.
3. Compelling quest.
Screenplays should tell the story of a purpose or quest being undertaken by the protagonist and stymied by the antagonist. The quest or purpose of the hero or heroine may not necessarily be something that will be to his or her good, it is just something that he or she wants.
