Help me write a screenplay scene that is cinematic, playable, and specific to this story. Do not imitate a living writer or reproduce an existing film's dialogue. Premise and genre: [PREMISE] Characters: [CHARACTERS] Scene purpose and turning point: [SCENE PURPOSE] Location, time, and practical constraints: [SETTING] Tone, visual references, and content limits: [TONE AND LIMITS]
Target length: [PAGE LENGTH]
Start with a short beat sheet: the character entering with an immediate objective, the obstacle or opposing objective, escalating tactics, the reversal or reveal, and the changed situation at the end. State what each character wants in the scene and what they are withholding.
Then write the scene in standard screenplay format: slugline, economical action lines in present tense, character cues, dialogue, and only necessary parentheticals. Make action filmable: show behavior, props, space, sound, and choices rather than explaining inner thoughts. Let subtext carry information characters would not naturally say aloud. Avoid camera directions unless the shot itself is essential to the story.
After the scene, add a brief revision note listing the dramatic question, the irreversible change, and one place where the scene could become more visual.
Before answering, check that the scene begins late, ends soon after the turn, and that every exchange changes pressure, information, or power. Check that no dialogue merely explains backstory the audience could infer. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.Fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [PREMISE] | Describe the story premise, genre, and stakes in two or three sentences. | Grounded sci-fi thriller: a city archivist discovers that public memories have been edited. |
| [CHARACTERS] | List each scene character with their role, want, fear, and relationship to the others. | Mara, 34, meticulous archivist, wants proof; Leon, 40, city technician, wants Mara to leave before she is noticed. |
| [SCENE PURPOSE] | Explain what must change in this scene and the turn that causes it. | Mara confronts Leon in the archive basement; he destroys one record but gives her a clue that implicates her father. |
| [SETTING] | Give the location, time, available props, and any production constraints. | Municipal archive basement, 2 a.m., humming servers, locked fire door, no extras. |
| [TONE AND LIMITS] | Describe the desired mood and any content, rating, or style boundaries. | Tense and restrained, PG-13, dry humor only from character behavior. |
| [PAGE LENGTH] | State the approximate number of screenplay pages wanted. | 3 pages |
How to use
- Give the model a single scene change, not the plot of an entire feature.
- Read the beat sheet first and make sure the turn changes what can happen next.
- Format the result in screenplay software and cut action that cannot be filmed or performed.
- Follow up with: "Give each character a different tactic in every beat, while keeping the same ending."
Variations
Logline workshop
Use when the story idea is still loose.
Develop three distinct loglines from this raw idea: [IDEA]. Each must name a protagonist, their goal, the central obstacle, and stakes without hiding behind vague terms. For the strongest option, provide a one-paragraph premise, protagonist flaw, antagonist force, and a final-choice question. Keep it original and do not imitate named filmmakers. Ask up to 3 questions only if essential context is missing.Dialogue pass
Use when a scene works but the dialogue feels on-the-nose.
Revise this screenplay scene for subtext: [SCENE]. Character intentions are [INTENTIONS], and the information the audience must understand is [REQUIRED INFORMATION]. Preserve the plot events and approximate length. Return a clean screenplay-formatted version plus a short note on what each character is avoiding saying. Do not add unexplained backstory or mimic a named writer. Check that every line has an objective or reaction; ask up to 3 questions only if required.
Feature outline
Use before drafting a feature screenplay.
Create a feature-film beat outline for [PREMISE], centered on [PROTAGONIST] and [CENTRAL CONFLICT]. Use 12–15 story beats, including catalyst, first major decision, midpoint reversal, lowest point, climax, and aftermath. For each beat, state the external event and the protagonist's internal choice. Identify any causality gap. Do not write a full script or copy an existing film. Ask up to 3 questions only if needed.
Tips
- Write scene purpose as a change: “she leaves with the key” is more usable than “they discuss the case.”
- Limit each scene to the characters who can apply the most pressure; extra witnesses often remove the need for subtext.
- Action lines should describe observable movement and sound, not emotions such as “he feels betrayed.” Show the behavior that reveals it.
- A reveal is stronger when it forces a new decision; information that changes nothing is usually exposition.
FAQ
Can AI format a screenplay correctly?
It can produce a readable approximation, but import or paste it into screenplay software and check margins, page count, and character cues.
How long should one generated scene be?
Two to five pages is a useful range for testing a single conflict and turn. Longer scenes often need to be split by a new objective or location.
How can I keep the script original?
Supply your own premise, characters, and constraints. Ask for structural techniques or tonal qualities rather than a copy of a specific writer or film.