Screenwriting : Screenplay Opens… by Fran Harris

Fran Harris

Screenplay Opens…

There are many ways to open your script. I remember the opening of Lethal Weapon 4… Pow! that’s how it opened - an action scene. No credits, no pan of a city. just black screen and POW! I found it very effective…

but if YOU had to select 1 of these 3 ways to open a movie you’re writing or just completed, which would /did you choose? And why?

1. introduce the genre/world

2. start with a main character scene

3. start with tone, foreshadowing

Nick Phillips

Good question Fran Harris! I'd say #2! Let's get to know our protagonist right off the bat!

Maurice Vaughan

I'm rewriting a Comedy script that has a #1 opening, Fran Harris. I need to introduce the world and genre for the script to work.

Sandra Isabel Correia

The first scene is the one who catches our attention or not! It’s crucial when I am watching films or shows. It’s when my mind say: I stay or I go! In my feature screenplay I began with #1 Spiritual Realm world versus Earth Realm world with main characters in action. I wanted to start like this to let the viewers understand the booth worlds and challenges. If it was a TV show, my option would be #2.

Mark Deuce

The first 10 pages are critical Fran Harris and you can also see this in all of the best novles as well.

Lisa Harrison

In the rom com that I’m hoping to produce, it begins with #2 and I think that was important to immediately get into the heads (and world) of the two main characters.

Sam Rivera

I'd choose to start with a main character scene because it grabs attention right away and gets the audience invested in the story from the beginning Fran Harris !

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