The Importance of the First 15 Pages of a Script

The first 15 pages of a script are the most important part of the story they are portraying. They contain the hook to catch the reader's interest. They reveal the main characters, the theme of the story, and hint on the direction of the plot. In general the presentation of the story is made in a movie script's first 15 pages.

The way in which the a story is presented can determine the script's success or failure in getting an agent. In a way an agent is not only an agent to the writer but also an agent for readers and movie viewers. They represent what the market, which are movie viewers. Their decision on what material to represent is based on what the market demands.

There are some boring turnoffs that writers unknowingly use in starting their story. Here are some of the most common ones that I have been advised against using by agents I have come in contact with.

TURNOFF NUMBER ONE-
Scripts that begin with the words "it was a dark stormy night".

This is an over used starter sentence. It was used often in old classic mystery and horror movies. It is one of those cliched phrases. Writers today should think creatively and try to begin their mystery story in a sitting other than a "dark stormy night". Like a sunny day, or morning, and besides, DARK and STORMY and NIGHT are equivalent to a double negative phrase "is not no". Everyone knows a night is dark and a stormy night is dark.

TURNOFF NUMBER TWO-
The main character returning home to a small town for a funeral or family reunion, or to live after falling on hard times in the big city.

After reading so many beginnings one instantly knows what the pattern and outcome of the story will be. So why should the reader read the rest of the story. Try setting the plot where the main character resides. Many young readers are urbanites and live in large cities, and many have a hard time with identifying with small town life. Many young people who leave small towns do not think of returning to them. People have to deal with life where they are and would want stories with main character doing so. It shows strength and independence.

TURNOFF NUMBER THREE-
Lengthy paragraphs of world building and scene setting up front.

This can bore the reader. It does not tell anything about the main character nor theme of the script. After reading the first 15 pages of a script you wonder what is the story about. Instead provide information about the world of you main character as the story unfolds. Do not give lengthy details. Be concise in the descriptions and actions.

TURNOFF NUMBER FOUR-
Run-down list of characters name, hair color, eye color, clothes, personality, height, feet size, etc.

What the writer describes as being attractive or ugly may not be considered attractive or ugly by the reader. The reader may not like the looks of the people he or she sees in his or her mind and loses interest in the story. Believe it or not people are hung up on looks. In the first 15 pages all the main characters should be unidentifiable. Give the reader the freedom to create his or her own mental picture as he or she wants to see the character. This allows the reader to develop an identity with the character and desire to read further.

TURNOFF NUMBER FIVE-
Characters doing ordinary things such as washing dishes, thinking, staring out windows and thinking. Doing whatever and thinking.

This is very boring. There is no action. No one is doing anything but thinking. Get right into the action and plot of the story.

TURNOFF NUMBER SIX-
Stating the first 15 pages with gratuitous sex and violence.

This can turn off a general reader. It came be overwhelming to the mind, a shock. Such scenes should be saved for later in the climax of a story.

In short, the first 15 pages should be dynamic, lively, and full of energy. They should immediately pull the reader into the story and hook them to the end. If you are a writer and have written a movie script and would like it edited script formatting and critique, check out this following site, http://pcsqlserviceblog.blogspot.com and contact its editor at ahicks4298@msn.com. At this site and email address a writer can a get quality edit or critique for an affordable price. The feedback on material is high quality and was helpful of me as a writer.