guide for writing a screenplay?

[baileys1818]

Hi i was just wondering, is there anywhere online that has like a sort of how to... type thing, that gives a guide on how to write a horror screenplay. Like rules our an outline of how the movie should go... I dont want to follow it step by step, but i'd really like to see a guide as far as what should happen in a screenplay and stuff. I dont know if you know what I mean, but if you do please let me know. thanks in advance.

-bailey

[loucien]

Are you asking how to write a screen play or what should go into a horror story? If it's the former, this sites got quite a few examples. www.script-o-rama.com/ has examples of scripts. If it's the latter, then everyone has a different opinion on what should go into a horror. There was a big discussion a while ago on this forum (don't know the link though).

[baileys1818]

thanks. I guess I was looking more for the former... but a bit of the latter :-) and I agree, that's where the writer's "style" and feel can be put into a horror.. I was looking more for the former.... Like I already know the format, as far as how the script itself needs to look with dialogue centered and all that. but I need to know more so how to develope plot and story arch, and giving reason to dialogue and is there like certain acts to a screenplay? kind of like a script for a play?

[rerj73]

A nice take on how dramatic structure can be found in Screenplay by Syd Field. Pretty much and script will follow a three act structure, much like a play. There is a different aesthetic to film, however, and before you begin playing with structure, it's good to know the fundamentals.