Screenwriting Terms for Aspiring Screenwriters  

If you’re an emerging screenwriter, there’s plenty to understand, including the terminology used in the industry as well as in script writing and formatting. Mastering Hollywood terms is crucial for navigating the film industry, as these phrases often shape how professionals communicate and collaborate. To assist you, we have created a glossary of 20 essential screenwriting terms and Hollywood terms that every aspiring filmmaker should be familiar with. Understanding these terms not only helps you write better scripts but also equips you to engage effectively with producers, directors, and other industry professionals.

180 rule 

The 180 rule is a fundamental guideline in filmmaking that asserts there is an invisible line separating two or more actors in a scene. The camera must remain on one side of this line to ensure that the spatial relationship between the characters remains coherent across different shots. While the camera can move freely within the scene, it should consistently remain on the same side of the line. 

Therefore, if an actor exits a room from the right side of the frame in one scene, they should enter from the left side in the following scene. 

You can certainly violate the 180 rule, which is referred to as 'jumping the line' or 'breaking the line'; however, it's advisable to first learn and comprehend the rules before deciding to ignore them. 

Beats 

In a script, a beat refers to a brief pause or interruption in dialogue or action, typically used to signal a change in tone or a character's response. It serves as a structural component that denotes a moment of silence or a tonal shift, which can encompass anything from a physical action to a spoken line. 

Beats facilitate the progression of the action in your story. They ought to be included in the screenplay as 'BEAT' or 'A BEAT'. 

In his Filmmaking course on BBC Maestro, Edgar Wright discusses a practical technique for effectively timing the beats in your screenplay. 

"I also rely on a useful tool called a 'Beat Sheet,' which comes from Blake Snyder's book Save the Cat! It helps you determine where each key moment of your screenplay should occur based on the overall page count. While it's not an exact method, it can be extremely beneficial for refining your material and achieving a polished final version." 

Dialogue 

This is a straightforward concept, yet it is crucial. It's the dialogue exchanged between characters in a screenplay.

 Dialogue plays a vital role in television and film, but writer and director Jed Mercurio cautions against depending on it too much. In his BBC Maestro course, "Writing Drama For Television," he advises:

 "It's important to evaluate the worth of information presented through dialogue. Avoid reiterating points that the audience is already familiar with. Characters shouldn’t exchange information that the viewers have already witnessed. You can either maintain the dialogue without dramatizing the scene or depict the scene without including the dialogue." 

Diegetic sound 

In a film, there are primarily two categories of sound: diegetic sound, which originates from the film’s world, and non-diegetic sound, which does not. Edgar Wright elaborates on this distinction: 

In simple terms, diegetic refers to sounds that originate from within the film's universe, whereas non-diegetic refers to sounds that come from outside that universe. It's almost like a distinction between reality and fiction. 

Diegetic sound refers to any noise that originates from within the film's world, like a ringing phone or a car engine. It plays an important role in creating a sense of location, aiding the audience in grasping the on-screen events, and making the fictional world seem more authentic. A car driving past 

Establishing shot 

An establishing shot introduces the setting of the scene. It informs the audience about the location, provides details about the characters, and can set the tone for what is about to unfold. 

Exposition 

Exposition refers to information included in your script to convey crucial details that may not involve action or dialogue. It serves as a storytelling tool that builds a world which can be just as compelling—if not more so—than the interactions between characters. As Jed Mercurio points out: 

"Some of the most compelling and significant storytelling lies in the movements and actions assigned to your characters. Therefore, while writing your script, it is essential to guide the reader's focus. The stage directions should be as impactful and meaningful as the dialogue." 

Insert shot 

An establishing shot introduces the setting of the scene. It informs the audience about the location, provides details about the characters, and can set the tone for what is about to unfold. Understanding the framing definition film is essential here, as it highlights how visual composition, camera angles, and shot placement contribute to effectively setting the scene. By mastering these elements, screenwriters and directors ensure the audience is immediately immersed in the story’s world.

Jump cut 

This occurs when a single shot is interrupted by a cut, creating the impression that the action has suddenly progressed in time. These transitions are frequently seen in montages and are also commonly used by YouTubers and vloggers today, where they might be discussing one topic and then, in the next moment, continue in the same position but switch to a different subject. 

It's a stylistic decision that makes the edit noticeable, so your choice to use jump cuts will depend on the outcome you want to achieve.

Logline 

A logline is a concise overview, typically one to two sentences long, that outlines the main idea of a screenplay. 

Parenthetical 

A parenthetical is an additional piece of information included in your script. It appears between a character's name and their dialogue, providing context for how the line should be delivered. 

It's important to avoid excessive use of parentheticals since it's the actor's responsibility to determine the delivery of the lines. However, as noted by Jed Mercurio, there are instances when they can be beneficial. 

"I advise you to avoid excessive use of parentheses. The script should be easy and smooth to read. The dialogue needs to reflect the character's emotions inherently. There's no need to indicate feelings like (angry) or (sad) unless it's essential for clarity, such as in situations where a character is lying..." 

Pilot script 

A pilot episode is the initial installment of a television series. It doesn't have to be the first episode in the storyline; it can originate from any part of the series. Its purpose is to present the show and help networks and producers determine if they want to greenlight a complete series. 

A pilot episode requires a pilot script. As Jed Mercurio points out: 

Your initial pilot script should effectively highlight the series' concept. It serves as a tool to determine if the original series will enter production. If your script doesn't adequately represent the series, you will be asked to make revisions, and you might need to rethink the pilot's storyline altogether. Many writers experience this. I've gone through several rounds of re-evaluation for different shows. This is normal; it's all part of the process, and what you're doing is refining the script to best reflect what the series intends to offer. 

Point of view 

In screenwriting, point of view (POV) pertains to the camera angle, particularly when it captures the scene from the character's first-person perspective. 

Series bible 

When creating a TV show, it’s essential to develop a series bible. This document outlines the core aspects of your show, detailing its plot, style, and themes. As articulated by Jed Mercurio: 

The series bible is a concise and easily understandable summary of the series' core promise.

 It should include your concept, the genre of the series you’re creating, the total number of episodes, and the style of the series (whether it’s serialized, episodic, or a hybrid). This document will be used to present your idea along with your pilot script, making it a crucial piece of material! 

Shooting script 

A shooting script is the edition of a script that is utilized during the filming process. It has been revised and annotated by directors and cinematographers, including their notes on camera transitions, directions, and other technical aspects, and is prepared for production. 

Slugline 

A slug line, also referred to as a scene heading, provides a concise description of the setting, time, and occasionally additional pertinent information at the start of a scene. 

Spec script 

A speculative script is a screenplay created by a writer without any existing contract or commission, much like a pilot script for television. 

Storyboarding 

A storyboard for a movie serves as a visual framework that illustrates each scene in a comic strip style. It helps both you and your cast and crew understand what is occurring at each moment of the film. Edgar Wright is an enthusiastic advocate for storyboarding and shares his thoughts on it. 

"Since Shaun of the Dead, I have created storyboards for every scene in all of my films. To me, it's hard to picture filming anything without them. They play a crucial role in my creative process, allowing me to visualize the concepts in my mind while also enabling me to effectively communicate my objectives to the cast and crew for each day of filming." 

Table read 

You won't have to include this term in your scripts, but it's a helpful practice within the screenwriting process. It's often referred to as a read-through, which involves gathering your cast and crew to read the script aloud together. Edgar Wright discusses the advantages of this practice: "You often have a particular idea of how a script sounds when you’re rehearsing the lines in your mind. However, when you involve other actors or even friends and family to read the lines aloud, you'll uncover entirely new insights about what aspects of the script are working well and what might require further attention." 

Three-act structure 

If you are creating a screenplay, it's essential to understand the three-act structure. This is a widely used method for organizing films, dividing the narrative into three sections, each featuring key plot developments that propel the story ahead. 

Voiceover 

If your script includes any voiceovers where a character speaks over the action, you should note this in your script. This is typically denoted as V.O. Certainly! While there are numerous technical terms related to screenwriting and filmmaking, these are a few key ones you should be familiar with as you begin.

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