Screenplay Development: The Development Executive's Playbook

The 6-Stage Development Process

Every screenplay goes through distinct phases, each requiring different focus:

Stage 1: Concept/Brainstorming

Goal: Test premise strength before writing

Key Questions:

• Logline Test: Can you pitch it in one sentence? Does it grab attention?
• Audience Hook: Why will anyone care? What's the emotional core?
• Freshness Factor: What's new here? How does it avoid clichés?
• Stakeholder Appeal: Does it attract talent (actors, directors, financiers)?

Actionable Outputs:

• One-sentence logline
• Target audience identification
• Comp analysis (similar films)
• Emotional promise statement

Common Issues:

• Generic premise ("It's like X meets Y")
• Unclear protagonist goal
• Missing emotional hook
• Too many characters/storylines

Stage 2: Story Structure

Goal: Build solid three-act architecture

Development Focus:

• Act 1 Hook (pages 1-25): Inciting incident by page 12-15
• Act 2 Build (pages 25-85): Midpoint revelation/reversal at page 55-60
• Act 3 Payoff (pages 85-110): Climax delivers catharsis

Key Checkpoints:

• Opening image establishes tone/genre
• Protagonist's want vs. need clear
• Stakes escalate progressively
• Setups pay off in climax
• Character transformation earned

Reference: For structural analysis using Story Grid methodology, use the story-grid-expert skill

Stage 3: First Draft

Goal: Get story on page efficiently

Note-Giving Focus:

• Scene Efficiency: Does every scene serve character OR plot? (Ideally both)
• Pacing: Does it drag? Where can we cut?
• Dialogue Clarity: Is subtext working or just confusing?
• Visual Storytelling: Show don't tell

Actionable Note Pattern:

❌ "This scene is slow"
✅ "Page 34: Cut the coffee shop dialogue. Move straight from Emma's rejection (p.33) to her crying in the car (p.36). We'll FEEL her pain without the on-the-nose friend conversation."

See references/draft_notes.md for more examples.

Stage 4: Rewrite/Polish

Goal: Deepen emotional impact and thematic resonance

Development Focus:

• Subtext: Elevate dialogue beyond surface meaning
• Cinematic Moments: Create memorable visual beats
• Emotional Beats: Land key feelings (fear, joy, heartbreak)
• Character Consistency: Voice, motivation, arc tracking

Common Rewrite Notes:

• Strengthen protagonist agency (make them drive action)
• Heighten conflict in scenes (more at stake)
• Plant/payoff improvements (setup earlier)
• Theme clarity (what's this REALLY about?)

See references/dialogue_polish.md for dialogue-specific techniques.

Stage 5: Production Polish

Goal: Make screenplay shootable and attractive to stakeholders

Production Considerations:

• Budget Consciousness: Location count, VFX needs, cast size
• Actor Appeal: Are these roles juicy? Career-making moments?
• Director-Friendly: Visual opportunities, tone consistency
• Marketing: Trailer moments, poster imagery, elevator pitch

Actionable Production Notes:

✅ "Consider consolidating the 12 locations to 6-8. Could the office confrontation (p.45) happen at the bar (p.48)? Saves a company move."
✅ "The lead role needs a showcase monologue for casting. Page 67 chase could pause for a raw emotional beat."

See references/production_readiness.md for full checklist.

Stage 6: Final Pass

Goal: Professional presentation

Polish Checklist:

• Industry-standard formatting (Courier 12pt, proper margins)
• Consistent character names (no "SARAH" then "Sara")
• Action lines clear and concise (3-line chunks max)
• No typos, grammar errors, or spelling mistakes
• Page count appropriate (90-110 for features, 55-65 for TV pilots)
• Title page professional

The Art of Actionable Notes

Good notes have three qualities:

1. Specificity

Always cite:

• Page numbers
• Character names
• Specific lines or actions

Example:

❌ "The dialogue doesn't work"
✅ "Page 23, lines 12-18: Jake's monologue about his past is exposition. Cut it. Instead, show military discipline through his apartment (medals, precise bed corners) and how he reacts when Sarah is messy."

2. Solutions, Not Just Diagnosis

Don't just identify the problem—prescribe a fix.

Pattern:

PROBLEM: [What's not working]
BECAUSE: [Why it's an issue]
SOLUTION: [Specific action to take]

Example:

PROBLEM: The midpoint (p.55) feels flat
BECAUSE: We expect a revelation that changes everything, but the hero already knows the villain's plan
SOLUTION: Reverse it - the VILLAIN discovers the HERO'S secret identity here. Now the power dynamic shifts and Act 2B has new stakes.

3. Audience-Centric Framing

Every note should answer: "How does this help the audience connect?"

Example:

❌ "Add more backstory for the antagonist"
✅ "Give us ONE moment where we understand the villain's pain (maybe a photo of his dead daughter in his wallet, page 72). Audiences need to feel CONFLICTED, not just hate him. Makes the climax more emotionally complex."

Audience Connection Framework

Great screenplays make audiences FEEL. Guide writers toward:

Emotional Clarity

• What should the audience feel in each scene?
• Are beats landing? (Test: Read aloud - does it move you?) -Stakes clear and escalating?

Character Empathy

• Do we understand the protagonist's pain/desire?
• Can we relate even if we don't approve of their actions?
• Are they active (making choices) or passive (things happen to them)?

Story Momentum

• Does each scene propel forward?
• Are there mysteries/questions keeping us engaged?
• Pacing: When does it drag? Where does it race?

Thematic Resonance

• What's the screenplay saying about the human condition?
• Does theme emerge organically from character arcs?
• Does the ending satisfy emotionally AND thematically?

Test: If an audience walks out feeling nothing, the screenplay needs urgent rework even if structurally sound.

Production Readiness Checklist

Before greenlighting, ensure:

Budget Factors

• Location count reasonable (under 20 for low-budget)?
• VFX/stunts clearly described and necessary?
• Cast size manageable (speaking roles under 25)?
• Period/contemporary (period costs more)?

Talent Appeal

• Lead role dynamic and transformative (Oscar bait)?
• Supporting roles distinct and memorable?
• Dialogue showcases actor range?
• Character arcs satisfying to perform?

Directorial Vision

• Tone consistent throughout?
• Visual storytelling opportunities (not just talking heads)?
• Genre conventions satisfied?
• Signature moments (the scenes people remember)?

Marketing Viability

• Logline intriguing enough for one-sheet poster?
• Trailer moments exist (action, emotion, mystery)?
• Clear target demographic?
• Comp titles for positioning?

Red Flags:

• Unclear tone (is it comedy or drama?)
• Too many characters to track
• Climax requires massive budget
• Ending unsatisfying/unclear

See references/production_readiness.md for expanded guidance.

When to Consult Reference Files

• Brainstorming new concepts: references/brainstorming_techniques.md
• Story structure issues: Use story-grid-expert skill, then refer to references/story_development.md
• Giving draft notes: references/draft_notes.md (before/after examples)
• Dialogue problems: references/dialogue_polish.md
• Production concerns: references/production_readiness.md
• Testing audience response: references/audience_testing.md

Integration with Other Skills

Synergy with story-grid-expert:

• Use Story Grid for structural diagnosis (genre, Five Commandments, obligatory scenes)
• Use screenplay-development for practical notes (how to fix it, production concerns, audience connection)

Example Workflow:

1. Analyze structure with Story Grid → "Missing Crime genre obligatory scene: discovery of clues"
2. Apply development notes → "Page 67: Add scene where detective finds the locket in the garden. Plant it on page 12 when the victim mentions her mother's jewelry."

Final Principles

Remember:

• Writers need encouragement AND truth
• Be tough on the work, gentle on the person
• Celebrate what's working before diving into fixes
• Development is iterative—change comes in passes, not one rewrite
• The goal is a shooting script that attracts talent and audiences

Your North Star: Will this screenplay become a film people remember and recommend?