Screenplay Writer Skill

Purpose

Transform beat sheets and scene lists into industry-standard screenplay format with proper formatting, pacing, and visual storytelling.

Trigger

EP{{XX}}_BEATS.md and EP{{XX}}_SCENELIST.md exist and pass Gate 4.

Inputs Required

• •CREATIVE_BRIEF.md
• •POWER_STACK.md
• •CHARACTER_SHEETS/*.md
• •EP{{XX}}_BEATS.md
• •EP{{XX}}_SCENELIST.md

Outputs Produced

• •SCRIPTS/SCRIPT_EP{{XX}}.md - Complete screenplay in markdown format

Process

Step 1: Establish Screenplay Parameters

From inputs, confirm:

• •Episode length target (in pages, ~1 page = 1 minute)
• •Act break formatting (### ACT BREAK or continuous)
• •Scene heading style (INT./EXT. format)
• •Dialogue style (character-specific patterns from sheets)

Step 2: Format Scene Headings

Standard format:

### SC01 - INT. PRECINCT BULLPEN - DAY

**Time**: Early morning
**Characters**: ALICE, BOB
**Mood**: Tense anticipation

Include visual metadata for shot planning.

Step 3: Write Action Lines

Principles:

• •Present tense, active voice
• •One paragraph = one shot/moment
• •White space creates pacing
• •Specific visual details for image generation
• •Avoid camera directions (save for shot list)

Good Action:

Alice stares at the evidence board. Her finger traces the red string
connecting two photos.

Bob enters with coffee. Stops when he sees her expression.

Avoid:

Alice is standing in front of the evidence board and she looks at it
for a while, thinking about the case while touching some of the photos
that are connected by string.

Step 4: Write Dialogue

Format:

**ALICE**
Three connections. All dead ends.

**BOB**
Maybe you're looking at it wrong.

**ALICE**
*(not turning around)*
Maybe you should get better coffee.

Dialogue Principles (from POWER_STACK):

1. •Subtext: Characters rarely say what they mean
2. •Status: Every exchange has a winner
3. •Voice: Match CHARACTER_SHEET voice profiles
4. •Anti-Exposition: Information through conflict

Parentheticals: Use sparingly, only when action isn't clear

Step 5: Manage Pacing

Scene Length Guidelines:

• •Short scenes (1/2 page): Transitional, single beat
• •Standard scenes (1-2 pages): Most dialogue scenes
• •Long scenes (3+ pages): Major confrontations, climaxes

White Space:

• •Break action into short paragraphs
• •New paragraph = new visual focus
• •Dialogue-heavy scenes need action breaks

Page Targets by Act (for 1-hour drama):

Step 6: Act Breaks

Format act breaks clearly:

---

## ACT TWO

---

Ensure each act ends on its designed act-out from the beat sheet.

Step 7: Visual Metadata

For each scene, include metadata that helps shot planning:

**Visual Notes**:
- Lighting: Harsh overhead fluorescent
- Weather: Visible rain through windows
- Key Props: Evidence board, coffee cups, Alice's notebook
- Suggested Shots: Wide establishing, CU on Alice's hands, OTS Bob to Alice

Step 8: Dialogue Polish Pass

After first draft, verify:

• • Each character sounds distinct (blind test)
• • No on-the-nose exposition
• • Subtext is present
• • Status is clear in exchanges
• • Private language used where appropriate
• • Speech patterns match CHARACTER_SHEETS

Step 9: Read-Through Simulation

Mentally perform each scene:

• •Does it play? (Action is filmable)
• •Does it flow? (Dialogue is speakable)
• •Does it land? (Emotional beats hit)

Flag any scenes that feel flat for dialogue-doctor review.

Quality Gate: Gate 5

Pass Criteria:

• • Page count matches target length
• • All scenes from scene list are present
• • Act breaks are properly placed
• • Dialogue sounds distinct per character
• • Visual metadata is complete
• • No camera directions in action (save for shot list)
• • Subtext is evident (characters don't say what they mean)

Fail Action:

• •Flag specific scenes/pages
• •Proceed to dialogue-doctor for revision

Screenplay Formatting Reference

Scene Heading

### SC## - INT./EXT. LOCATION NAME - DAY/NIGHT

Action

Prose description of what we see. Present tense.

New paragraph for new visual focus.

Dialogue

**CHARACTER NAME**
Dialogue here. Natural speech patterns.

**CHARACTER NAME**
*(parenthetical only if needed)*
More dialogue.

Transitions (use sparingly)

*CUT TO:*

*SMASH CUT:*

*DISSOLVE TO:*

Simultaneous Dialogue

**ALICE** | **BOB**
Line here | Overlapping line

Montage

**MONTAGE - ALICE INVESTIGATES**

- Alice at her desk, papers spread everywhere
- Alice interviewing a witness
- Alice at a coffee shop, staring at notes

**END MONTAGE**

Flashback

**FLASHBACK - TWO YEARS AGO**

[Scene content]

**END FLASHBACK**

Voice Checklist

Before completing, for each major character:

Notes

• •This is a FIRST DRAFT screenplay
• •Dialogue will be refined by dialogue-doctor
• •Visual metadata is for production planning
• •Don't over-direct in action lines
• •Trust the scene structure from beat sheet
• •If a scene feels weak, note it—don't restructure