Skip to main content

Beats and beat sheets (Free downloadable beat sheet included)

Even the best chefs in the world started by following a recipe, in fact, the best of them still use them every once in a while, it allows them to ensure consistency and gives them a structure to follow so that they can create and let their imagination fly. 


The same thing happens with screenwriters. There is no magic formula to create a script, but there are recipes that provide guidance and direction to kickstart the passion and get you to type “the end”. Famous fellas like Blake Snyder, Robert McKee, and Syd Field, have tried hard to create and simplify these recipes with great success, taking the whole of the story and breaking it down to pieces or story beats.


But what is a beat anyway? Beats are moments that move the story forward and set the course and tone to what’s going to happen next. They are simple narrative elements that bring the audience back to the story and challenge the characters that conform it. Beats are the smallest part of the story structure and exist within the acts.


So now that you know what a beat is, let’s take a look at a beat sheet, which is like the script’s blueprint or map. This will guide you through the individual beats and help you determine what those moments will be, in your script, for each beat.


  1. Opening image: This is the first thing we see and your opportunity to show the world your characters live in. Be bold and get your audience hooked ;) (Page 1)*


  1. Where are we? What is this movie about?: Where are we in time and space? Is it nowadays? The past? The future? What's your promise to your audience? Will they have fun? Learn a lesson? Cry? Laugh? This is also the moment where we state our theme (family, friendship, love, success, power, etc.) (Page 4)


  1. Who are they? Who's your protagonist?: Introduce your main character and those who surround him**. Who is he**? What is he** like? What's his** job? What's happening in his** life? Who does he** coexist with? What are they like? (Pages 1-8)


  1. The kick: The moment where your protagonist's life changes. Although he** still needs to decide upon it, his life can't be the same after this. This is the until moment (Page 10)


  1. The question: Your protagonist's debate. What is she** gonna do about the kick? Is she** going to act upon it or try to run from it? Here, she** will ponder her** options and their consequences. (Page 10-20)


  1. The answer: What is the result of her** debate? This is what kicks off the rest of the plot, the decision of your protagonist to go get what they want. It's where the journey begins, they're packed up and out the door. (Page 20)


  1. B plot: A secondary story that accompanies the main plot and the protagonist. This is usually a romantic relationship but it doesn't have to be. The B plot has its own development and is intertwined with the main narrative. (Page 20-25)


  1. Kicks and giggles: This is why your audience is watching this movie. The trailer moments, the adventure, and the journey. Here is where you make us laugh in a comedy and make us suffer in a drama or thriller. (Page 25-45)


  1. Winning or losing: Commonly known as Midpoint, this is the moment where your protagonist seems to be figuring it all out (or not). If it's a happy movie, this is the moment where nothing can go wrong; if it's a drama, this is where it seems that nothing can go right. This is also where we raise the stakes and add urgency. (Page 45)


  1. Bad guys close in: The conflict is here and we need to face it. The bad guys are on our protagonist's tail and it's starting to look like there is no way out. (Page 45-61)


  1. No hope left: At this point, it seems that our protagonist hit a dead end. The stakes are higher than ever and it seems there is very little left to do to accomplish the objective and solve the conflict. (Page 61)


  1. Darkest hour: This is the lowest point. Nothing our protagonist does seems to be enough to resolve the situation. He's** losing hope and drive to continue. This isn't a single moment, but a series of situations that keep getting worse. (Page 61-70)


  1. False defeat (or success): Something HORRIBLE (or GREAT) happens. The death of a loved one, the finding out of the well-kept secret, discovering the treasure... This triggers the final decision that our protagonist has to make to accomplish her** goals. (Page 70)


  1. Reborn: See it to the end. Our protagonist makes a final decision of whether he** is trying one more time or moving on. This is where the team regroups and strategizes and decides on a new course of action. Our characters have hit rock bottom, so there's no way but up. (Page 70-90)


  1. This is it: The last thing your audience will see. This is the message you want to sink into your audience's memory. Summarizes the theme and teaches the moral. Make it last! (Page 90)

Beats are one of the many ways to organize your story's structure, they're detailed and allow you to see the story as a whole. Your beat sheet will be the map to follow and get to a happy ending, but there are a couple of other steps to work on before getting cracking on the actual script. Read more about the process of pre-writing

Happy writing!

Download our free beat sheet here.

*Page count for a 90 pages script, click here for templates on other script durations.

** I use he/she pronouns indefinitely.






If you like my content and would like to support me, you can buy me a coffee here 💖
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Teen Me Was a Creative Genius (and How Adult Me Can Be Too)

I’ve never felt more creative than when I was a teenager, and lately, I’ve been wondering why that was. It's not a single reason, of course, but I can pinpoint a few key factors. Firstly, I was in school. Every day, I attended a place where I could meet people, learn new things, and participate in group dynamics. Most importantly, I felt a sense of belonging among like-minded peers. High school and college created an environment where I felt safe and confident to imagine and create. I could write for long hours, often late at night or between classes and activities. It wasn’t something I forced; it just happened naturally. Being around real people and situations sparked inspiration for my stories. I wrote plays, novels, poems, screenplays—anything and everything. I didn’t always review or share my work, but I put it on paper and constantly sought stories everywhere. I don’t think I had more spare time than I do now as an adult, but somehow, I found the time to write. Which brings m
Post a Comment
Read more

The Index Card Writing Method

This very easy (and effective) method works great for experienced and amateur writers alike since it allows you to see your structure and make modifications without spending time in writing and rewriting, it also helps to make sure that every scene contributes to the story and remove unnecessary scenes without getting rid of them completely. How does it work: Write each scene on an index card (post-its work too). You can either write (or print) the whole scene, or just headline and description. What matters is that you’re able to identify the scene by looking at the card alone. Organize the cards as they currently appear in your script. You can put them on a wall or board if you have them available but if you don’t, a table or floor will do the trick. Do some staring. Seriously, look at your cards and understand where you’re at and where you want to get. Are you getting there with the way the scenes are now? What do you need to change in order to get there? Is every scene contributing
Post a Comment
Read more

What is a Script Consultant and why do you need one?

Screenwriting is no game,  it takes time, effort, and, genuinely, courage. But what happens when all the work has been done and you've managed to type "THE END", those magical words that appear to be the finishing line, but are indeed nothing close to it? Yeap, turns out that finishing the script is only the start of a long and sometimes bumpy journey; however, screenwriters are not alone. In the world of creative writing, a figure exists that is meant to make this process easier for anyone willing to take help: The Script Consultant. A Script Consultant is a writer or editor that instead (or aside) of writing, works with other writers and pieces to improve them, be it structure, plot, character development, or plain storytelling, a Script Consultant provides a very particular insight that helps the writer refine and polish the work done. But what exactly do they do? Well, it's a combination of several things - proofreading, analyzing, suggesting, and bouncing ideas..
Post a Comment
Read more