If you’re an aspiring screenwriter, there are lots of essential elements you’ll need to get your head around, from dialogue to parentheticals – as well as beat sheets.
A beat sheet is a way of structuring the narrative, keeping your story on track and ensuring viewers stay engaged. Let’s take a closer look at what they are, how to use them, and why they’re important.
What is a beat sheet?
A beat sheet is a tool used in screenwriting to outline the key events or ‘beats’ in a story. It serves as a guide for structuring the narrative, and it also helps writers to ensure that important plot points and moments of character development are included in the script to help drive the story forward.
Some writers use a three-act structure to outline major elements that should happen at the beginning, middle and end of their script, but the beat sheet takes it one step further. You can write a beat sheet for an episode of a TV show or for a film. Either way, it should outline all the key points that you need to cover within your 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes or more of screen time.
What does beat mean in a script?
We’ve talked about beats a lot – but what is a beat, exactly? In the context of a script, a beat refers to a specific moment or action in a scene. A beat could, for example, be when a character makes a big decision, the conversation changes direction, or a joke lands.
Whatever the beat is, it’s something important that moves the story forward. Beats are the building blocks of a scene – so when you write a beat sheet, you’ll be putting together a list of critical moments in which something significant happens. Once you know all the important plot points, it’ll ensure you can better see the flow of the story, with important events, character development and plot twists all included in the right place for maximum impact.
Why is a beat sheet important?
Beat sheets are an important tool for screenwriters for several reasons:
- Structural framework: Listing out the key plot points will make writing your scene easier. You’ll know exactly what you need to include in the scene, ensuring that everything flows perfectly.
- Story planning: By writing out all the beats, you’ll clearly be able to see whether there are any gaps and inconsistencies in your plot. You should also be able to easily see if there are any characters or storylines that need further development.
- Refining the screenplay: A beat sheet is a useful tool for revision. Writers can review the beats and assess whether each contributes effectively to the overall narrative. This means it should be easier to spot any threads of your story that aren’t pulling their weight, or not adding much to the narrative, making it easier to refine and improve your script.
- Pacing and rhythm: Breaking the story down into beats allows you to strategically place moments of tension, humour, revelation or excitement to build momentum and drive the story forward.
- Find your way back to your original ideas: As time goes on, things can shift and change – and sometimes, the key elements of the story get lost along the way. A beat sheet can serve as a raw source of inspiration, and if the original points get diluted along the way, you’ll be able to refer back to the beat sheet to ensure you’re still on track.
As well as organising the story and making the writing process easier, beat sheets can also be used for other purposes. A beat sheet shows that a writer has a clear vision for their project, which can be important when pitching the script to potential investors. When seeking funding, time is often limited. A beat sheet provides a concise and efficient way to communicate the essence of the story, making it easier for potential investors to grasp the project quickly.
Beat sheets can also be useful when working with others, such as directors and producers. It gives everyone a clear, concise overview of a story’s structure and key beats, keeping everyone on the same page when it comes to communicating key messages.
Types of beat sheet
There are different types of beat sheets, and they can vary based on the specific needs of the writer, the genre of the story, or the particular screenwriting method being used. Some of the main ones are:
Three-act structure beat sheet
This is a traditional beat sheet that aligns with the three-act structure commonly used in storytelling. It outlines key beats for each act, including the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Developed by Blake Snyder in his book Save the Cat!, this beat sheet is probably the most famous and best-used beat sheet. Using this method, you’ll outline 15 key beats spread across your entire story act, including elements like the opening image, catalyst, midpoint, and the “save the cat” moment – that is, the moment in which the protagonist does something that establishes them as a likeable character (like saving a cat!).
Hero’s Journey beat sheet
The Hero’s Journey is a 17-step story structure that tells how the hero starts in one place, goes on an adventure into the unknown, and returns to the start again. Along the way, they go through various trials, tribulations and character transformations.
Mini movie beat sheet
This beat sheet divides the script into ‘mini movies’ within acts, each with its own set of beats. It helps maintain a dynamic and engaging pace throughout the entire script.
How to write a beat sheet
When you’re writing a screenplay beat sheet, then, there are various approaches you can take. Every screenwriter will approach it differently, but the goal is always to outline the essential narrative elements of your story in a structured and organised way. Here are some beats you should consider including:
- The opening image: This introduces the audience to the story’s world. Write a short description of the very first moment, event, or people viewers will see.
- Set-up: How will you introduce your main character? What are their motivations? What do they want – and what’s preventing them from getting it?
- Statement of theme: You need to tell your audience what your film, sitcom or drama is about.
- An inciting incident: This should propel the protagonist into action, initiating the central conflict.
- Debate: After the inciting incident, the action may take some twists and turns. The character is likely to be experiencing inner turmoil, they may engage in a discussion, argument, or internal reflection about a significant decision or conflict.
- Subplot: Is there anything else going on in your story? Is there a love story that’s secondary to the main plot? Is there another strand of action that’s happening in the background? Including your subplots in your beat sheet ensures you can properly weave less important plot points into the narrative.
- Second turning point: Highlight the moment that intensifies the central conflict and leads toward the climax.
- Climax: Describe the highest point of tension, where the main conflict reaches its peak.
- Outline: These beats address the aftermath of the climax, resolving subplots and character arcs.
- Finale: Conclude with the final beats that provide closure to the main storylines.
Of course, there are endless options when it comes to what beats to write in your beat sheet. Others could include character introductions, foreshadowing to set up future events, red herrings, and the ‘all is lost’ moment which is a beat where the protagonist faces their lowest point or a seemingly insurmountable challenge, often occurring before the climax.
Hone your script-writing skills
Writing a beat sheet helps writers to plan out important moments in your film or TV show, making sure that the narrative flows well. It is, essentially, the skeleton that holds the story together – and is an indispensable tool when it comes to writing a script.
If you want to find out more about scriptwriting in comedy, there’s no one better to learn from than Bill Lawrence, creator of Scrubs, Ted Lasso and Spin City. Sign up for his BBC Maestro course, Writing Comedy for Television, to find out more.
