The hero’s journey is the epic structure defined by Joseph Campbell in The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

Campbell argues that the great enduring myths from around the world all share an underlying structure he calls the “monomyth.” In the introduction to his book, Campbell breaks it down:

A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.

Modern writers like Phil Cousineau, David Adams and Christopher Vogler have expanded upon, broken down, and/or modernized Campbell’s structure in their books. Vogler’s The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers explains the journey in a screenwriter-friendly way.

He breaks it down into twelve major steps:

Heroes are introduced in the ORDINARY WORLD, where

they receive the CALL TO ADVENTURE.

They are RELUCTANT at first or REFUSE THE CALL, but

are encouraged by a MENTOR to

CROSS THE FIRST THRESHOLD and enter the Special World, where

they encounter TESTS, ALLIES, AND ENEMIES.

They APPROACH THE INMOST CAVE, crossing a second threshold

where they endure the ORDEAL.

They take possession of their REWARD and

are pursued on THE ROAD BACK to the Ordinary World.

They cross the third threshold, experience a RESURRECTION, and a transformed by the experience.

They RETURN WITH THE ELIXER, a boon or treasure to benefit the Ordinary World.

Источник: What is the hero’s journey? | Screenwriting.io.

One of the best ways to figure out formatting, story, and other screenwriting questions is to read others’ screenplays.

There is no set list of screenplays all aspiring screenwriters should read, but here is some general advice:

Read screenplays by well known and reputable writers, so you know you are leaning from good examples. Many can be found with a simple Google search — particularly around award season, as studios post screenplays in hopes of receiving nominations. If you are in LA, the WGA library is a great resource.

Some screenwriters host libraries of their scripts. Many of John August’s screenplays are available in the johnaugust.com library.

Read a variety of screenplays. Read different genres, different writers, work from different eras, originals and adaptations, and screenplays that employ untraditional methods of storytelling.

Once you have read enough that you feel you have a basic understanding, read some not-so-good screenplays, too. Compare and contrast them with the more universally respected ones you read before. Amazon Studios has a lot of less-than-terrific examples.

Make sure you are reading actual screenplays and not transcripts, which are common online and often placed alongside scripts. An easy way to tell if what you are reading is a script is to see if it is in proper script format. Transcripts will often have a similar formatting element or two (like 12-point Courier Font), but will usually look more like a running list than a properly indented screenplay.

Источник: What screenplays should aspiring screenwriters read? | Screenwriting.io.

Unlike novels, which can be written in a variety of tenses, screenplays are always written in present tense.

Some writers employ an objective 2nd person tense for point of view, where “we” stands in for the audience.

Through the crowd of befuddled heads, we see a MAN IN HORNED-RIMMED GLASSES, staring with intent.

The present progressive can also be a valuable tool, as it is a way to express ongoing — and therefore interruptible — action.

Ryan is cutting the lawn, rocking out to his iPod, oblivious to the world around him, when the kids’ baseball PLUNKS him in the head.

Источник: What tense are screenplays written in? | Screenwriting.io.