Lights, Camera, Action! A Simple Guide to Writing Screenplays for Kids

Ever dreamed of seeing your stories come to life on the big (or small!) screen? Well, you can! Writing a screenplay might sound complicated, but it’s actually a lot of fun, especially if you’re writing it for kids, just like you! This guide will break down the process into easy-to-follow steps so you can create your very own movie script.

What is a Screenplay Anyway?

Imagine a movie without any dialogue, action, or descriptions of what’s happening. It would be pretty boring, right? A screenplay is like a blueprint for a movie. It tells everyone involved (actors, directors, camera operators) exactly what to do, what to say, and how everything should look. It’s the written version of the movie you see in your head.

Why Write a Screenplay?

• It’s Creative: You get to make up stories, characters, and worlds!
• It’s Collaborative: Once you’ve written it, others can help bring your vision to life.
• It’s Fun: It’s like playing pretend, but on paper!
• It Develops Skills: You’ll improve your storytelling, writing, and organizational skills.
• You Can Put On Your Own Plays: Screenplays aren’t just for movies! You can act out your script with friends and family.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Screenplay (For Kids!)

Okay, let’s get started! Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you write your own screenplay:

Step 1: Brainstorm and Get an Idea!

The first step is always the most exciting – coming up with a great idea! Think about things you love. Do you like adventures? Funny stories? Magical worlds? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• What If…? What if your toys could talk? What if you found a secret portal to another world? What if you had superpowers?
• Based on a Book: Could you adapt a book you love into a screenplay?
• Everyday Adventures: What adventures could happen in your own backyard, school, or neighborhood?
• Friendship Stories: What challenges could your characters face together? How can they help each other?
• Animal Stories: What exciting things do you think your pets get up to when you’re not home?

Once you have a basic idea, try writing it down in just one or two sentences. This is your logline, the core of your story. For example: “A group of friends discovers a map to a hidden treasure and go on an exciting adventure.”

Step 2: Create Your Characters

Every good story needs interesting characters! Think about who will be in your movie. Here’s what you should consider:

• Main Character (Protagonist): Who is the star of your story? What are they like? Are they brave, funny, shy, or curious?
• Supporting Characters: Who else will be in your movie? Friends, family, or even a pet! What are their unique qualities?
• Antagonist (Optional): Sometimes, stories have a villain or someone who makes things difficult for the main character. This character doesn’t have to be mean; they could just have different goals.

For each character, give them:

• A Name: Choose names that fit their personality!
• An Age: Roughly how old are they?
• A Physical Description: How do they look? Do they have glasses, colorful hair, or wear a specific style of clothing?
• A Personality: What makes them special? Are they kind, silly, grumpy, smart, or creative?
• A Goal: What do they want to achieve in the story? This will drive your plot.

You can even draw pictures of your characters to help you imagine them better.

Step 3: Plan Your Story (The Plot)

The plot is the sequence of events in your story. It’s what happens from beginning to end. Here’s a simple structure you can follow:

• The Beginning (Introduction):
  • Introduce the Characters: Show us who they are and what they’re like.
  • Set the Scene: Where and when does the story take place? What is the world like?
  • The Problem (Inciting Incident): Something happens that starts the adventure. Maybe they find the map, encounter a problem, or get a special mission.
• The Middle (Rising Action):
  • The Journey Begins: The characters try to solve the problem or reach their goals.
  • Challenges and Obstacles: What are the hurdles that they need to overcome? These make the story interesting! Maybe they have to solve a riddle, escape a trap, or work together.
• The Climax (The Peak):
  • The Most Exciting Part: This is where the action is at its peak. The characters face their biggest challenge.
• The End (Resolution):
  • Problem Solved: How do the characters resolve the main conflict? Do they achieve their goal?
  • Lessons Learned: Did the characters learn anything from their adventure?
  • The Wrap Up: Everything comes to a conclusion. Maybe the characters become friends, learn a valuable lesson or celebrate their success.

You can use a simple flowchart to map out the main events in your story. Think of it as a roadmap for your movie!

Step 4: Write Your Screenplay!

Now for the fun part – putting it all down on paper! Don’t worry about being perfect; just get your ideas flowing. Screenplays have a special format, but you can start with the basics:

1. Scene Headings (Sluglines): These tell us where and when a scene takes place. They’re always written in capital letters and usually follow this format:

INT. PARK - DAY
EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - AFTERNOON

• INT. means the scene is inside.
• EXT. means the scene is outside.
• The location (e.g., PARK, SCHOOL PLAYGROUND) tells us where the scene takes place.
• The time of day (e.g., DAY, AFTERNOON) indicates when the scene happens.

2. Action Lines: These describe what’s happening in the scene. Write them in simple, clear sentences. Use present tense (like “walks,” “runs,” “laughs”).

MIA walks through the park, looking sad. She kicks a pebble. 
TOM runs across the playground, laughing and waving his arms.

3. Character Names: When a character is about to speak, write their name in capital letters, indented from the left margin. Under the name, write what they say.

                                MIA
                   (Sighing)
           I wish I had something fun to do.

                                 TOM
                  (Excitedly)
          Hey Mia! Wanna come play?

4. Parentheticals: These are optional little notes that give direction to an actor about how they should deliver the line. Put them in parentheses, under the character’s name and above their dialogue.

Here’s an example of a short scene:

INT. MIA’S BEDROOM - DAY

MIA sits on her bed, looking at a picture book. Her cat, SNOWBALL, is sleeping next to her.

                               MIA
                  (Sadly)
          Oh, Snowball, I’m bored today.

Suddenly, a beam of light shines from the book! It hits the cat!

                               MIA
                 (Surprised)
         Woah! What was that?

Tips for Writing Dialogue:

• Use Natural Language: Make your characters sound like real people (or animals!) who are kids, using language that feels familiar and age-appropriate.
• Keep it Simple: Don’t use big words or complex sentences that are hard to understand.
• Make it Unique: Give each character a different way of talking. One might be talkative, while another might be very quiet.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of saying “Mia is sad,” write an action like “Mia walks through the park, looking sad, kicking a pebble.” Let the reader (or viewer) see and understand the emotions.

Step 5: Read and Revise

Once you’ve finished your first draft, it’s time to read it through. It can help to have someone else read it to, maybe a grownup, brother, sister, or friend. Think about these things:

• Is the Story Clear? Does your plot make sense? Can the reader understand what’s happening?
• Are the Characters Engaging? Are they interesting? Do you care about what happens to them?
• Is the Dialogue Natural? Do your characters sound like real people?
• Is it Exciting? Are there enough interesting or funny moments to keep the reader engaged?
• Is it the right length?: Make sure your script fits the length you intended, don’t drag or feel incomplete.

Don’t be afraid to make changes! Revising is a normal part of writing. You might need to:

• Add or remove scenes.
• Change the dialogue.
• Add more action.
• Clarify details.

Step 6: Bring Your Screenplay to Life!

Congratulations! You’ve written your own screenplay! Now it’s time to have some fun with it. Here are some ideas:

• Put on a Play: Grab some friends, assign characters, and act out your script. Use costumes and props to make it more fun!
• Film Your Movie: Use a phone or camera to film a short version of your screenplay. You can even add music and simple effects.
• Share with Friends: Let your friends and family read your script and tell you what they think.
• Keep practicing: The more you write, the better you’ll get! Think about other stories you can bring to the screen!

Tips for Success

• Start Simple: Don’t try to write a long, complicated movie right away. Begin with a shorter story and focus on the basics.
• Be Patient: Writing takes time. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t come easily. Keep practicing!
• Have Fun: The most important thing is to enjoy the process of creating something new.
• Use Visuals: If you struggle with words, try drawing your story as a comic strip or storyboard first.
• Read Other Screenplays: Find scripts of your favorite movies and see how other writers format their work.
• Embrace Mistakes: There is no such thing as a perfect first draft, learn and improve!
• Get Feedback: Ask trusted adults or friends to give you input, this helps you find the weak spots in your story.

Screenplay Template (Simple)

Here’s a basic screenplay template you can copy and use:

[SCENE HEADING]

[ACTION LINE]

                            [CHARACTER NAME]
          (Parenthetical - Optional)
           [Dialogue]

[SCENE HEADING]

[ACTION LINE]

                            [CHARACTER NAME]
          (Parenthetical - Optional)
           [Dialogue]

Remember, this is just a starting point! You can adjust and experiment to find your own style of writing. The most important thing is to let your creativity flow!

Final Thoughts

Writing a screenplay is a fantastic way to explore your imagination and bring your ideas to life. Don’t be afraid to try, to experiment and to have fun with the process. Your story is waiting to be told, so go ahead and write it! Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the next big movie maker!

Now grab a pen and paper (or a keyboard) and start creating your movie magic!