Script Analysis Check List
(c) Peter D. Marshall
The purpose of script analysis is to find out what the story is
really about, who the characters are and what happens to them.
Detailed script analysis will give you facts, images, backstory
ideas, and help you understand the characters. Remember, good
scripts are multi-layered, full of subtext and not over
explained.
– what are the beats (or events) in every scene
– what just happened before the scene
– what is the THEME/IDEA (what is the story about)
– what is the LOGIC (does the story make sense)
– what is the EXPOSITION (what is the doing)
– what is the COMPLICATION (what is the drama/conflict)
– what creates the TENSION (what will happen next)
– what is the MAIN QUESTION (what problem is to be resolved)
– what is the MAIN ACTION/SPINE (what event hooks the audience)
– what is the CAUSE OF THE ACTION (happens to the main character)
– what is the RESULTING ACTION (answer to the main question)
– what is the CONCLUSION (what happens)
– where are the BEATS (specific moments of a scene or act)
– where are the TURNING POINTS (of each scene and act)
– where is the CLIMAX (of each scene/act/story)
– what is the PLOT (carries the action)
– what is the SUB-PLOT (carries the theme)
– what are the ACTION POINTS (events that cause a reaction)
– what is the SOURCE OF CONFLICT
– who is the PROTAGONIST (the main character)
– who is the ANTAGONIST (one or more characters)
– who is the MOST INTERESTING CHARACTER (not always the main
character)
– what is the INTENT of the scene (what is the scene needed for)
– what are the MAIN ELEMENTS of the scene (points to get across
to the audience)
– what is the EXPOSITION (what are the characters “doing”)
– what is the COMPLICATION (the drama)
– where is the CLIMAX (what is the turning point of the story)
– what is the RESOLUTION (how is the theme resolved)
– what is the CONCLUSION (how does the scene end)
– what are the MAJOR POINTS OF ACTION (graph them out)
– where is the CLIMAX/TURNING POINTS/CONFLICTS
– where does the IDEA CHANGE (beat or unit change)
– what are the important LINES OF DIALOGUE
(story/character/plot)
– is there a RECOGNITION & REVERSAL SCENE for each character
(character change)
– which character CONTROLS (pushes) a scene
Copyright (c) 2005 Peter D. Marshall / All Rights Reserved
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