How to Write Screenplay in 30 Days — Day 1: Anatomy Basics
A. Alexander • April 7, 2026 • 2 min read
As a writer, I always thought screenplay would be easy for me. I just had to remove extra emotion from the text and focus more on action. But I still remember the day I realised I was 95% wrong.
How Screenplay Anatomy Looks
A screenplay page has four main parts:
- Slugline (scene heading)
- Action
- Character cue
- Dialogue
Slugline
This shows the location and time of the scene. It’s typically Interior (INT.) or Exterior (EXT.)
Examples: INT. — inside a place EXT. — outside a place
When I wrote my first script, it was quite hard to track scene changes, because in a book you don’t usually need to care about these details unless they affect the plot.
With a bit of practice, I learned how to track scenes. The best way is to ask yourself all the time:
Where is the scene taking place right now?
Action
This is the main content of the script, written in the present tense. For many writers, it can be quite challenging and for me, it is still one of the more difficult parts.
BUT… I found a very useful tactic to check whether I’m using too many words or not:
If a camera can’t capture it, rewrite it.
In other words, action lines need to be visual, clear, and concise. They should describe only what can be seen or heard on screen. This means avoiding internal thoughts or feelings unless they can be expressed through action or behaviour.
Character cue
This shows who is speaking, and it is a very important part of a screenplay. In novel writing, and yes, I’ll keep using book writing as an example, it is often easier to develop a character over time. Chapter by chapter, you reveal their motivations, thoughts, and personality. In a script, however, the only ways to show character are through action and dialogue.
Dialogue
This is one of the most important elements, sometimes even more crucial than action. Since you can’t rely on inner thoughts in a screenplay, dialogue becomes a key way to reveal a character’s motivations. It needs to be clear, concise, and focused. Good dialogue delivers the point directly, without unnecessary filler or internal monologue.
Examples with images can be found at this link: Medium: A. Alexander
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