My Process

Everyone has a different process when it comes to writing a screenplay. The truth is simple: whatever works best for you is the path you should follow. If you’re new to screenwriting and looking for a clear roadmap from concept to completed first draft, here’s the process I use.

NOTE: If you haven’t taken a deep dive into this website, you might be unfamiliar with some of the steps in this process. That’s fine. Read this, then continue exploring the site to better understand each step along the path.

Step 1: The Idea

Every screenplay begins with an idea. This could come from something you’ve heard, a movie you’ve seen, or something you’ve imagined. But the first question I always ask is: Is this idea marketable? Is there an audience for this story? Because at the end of the day, screenwriting is both an art and a business.

Step 2: Let the Idea Breathe

For me, this happens while running, walking, or driving with the radio off. Silence is where the story starts to take shape. This is where connections form, and possibilities begin to reveal themselves.

Step 3: Identify the Big Beats

Next, I identify the major moments in the story. If you’ve been thinking about your idea for any length of time, you already know more than you think. These early instincts are important. Now it’s time to capture them. This is where structure begins.

I use the Magnificent 7 from the Magnificent 7–24 Method. These are the major story beats most writers naturally understand, including:

The Inciting Incident
The First Act Break
The Early Twist
The Midpoint
The Second Act Break
The Late Twist
The Finale

These anchors give the story its foundation (there is more on this in our section about the Magnificent 7).

Step 4: Build the 24 Plot Points

Once the Magnificent 7 are in place, I expand the story to a full set of 24 plot points. This is where the real work begins.

Each plot point represents a meaningful moment that moves the story forward. By the end of this step, the entire screenplay is mapped out in a clear and structured way.

Step 5: Add Plot Bullets

With the major structure in place, I begin adding plot bullets.

These are smaller moments and details that support the story. They may not be critical turning points, but they help bring the world and characters to life.

Step 6: The Short Story Step

The Short Story Step is something no other writer (that I know of) uses. It sits right in the middle of my process, like a checkpoint.

Before writing the screenplay, I take an extra step. It takes a little time, but it’s incredibly valuable.

I turn the outline into a short story. Using the One Situation Model, I write the story from the point of view of a single character. It’s written in an engaging, narrative style, like a story told around a campfire. I keep it to five pages or less.

This step prepares me to pitch the story, helps uncover story problems early, and forces clarity in the narrative.

If I can tell the story, I can sell the story.

Step 7: Writing the Screenplay

Now it’s time to write.

I begin at FADE IN, but I don’t feel locked into writing in a strict linear order. Writing is a process of discovery. New ideas emerge, complications develop, and the story evolves as I go.

When changes happen, I go back and update my plot points, creating a new version so I can track the evolution of the story.

Step 8: Finish the First Draft

If the outline is strong, a first draft can come together quickly. In many cases, just a few weeks.

At this stage, the goal is simple:

Finish the draft.

Step 9: Step Away and Rewrite

Once the draft is complete, I step away for about two weeks. This gives me distance and a fresh perspective.

Because this is where the real writing begins: the rewrite.