A7 Script Writing (Advanced)

💡 One-line Summary: Use AI to assist in writing standard format scripts, from story synopsis to scene breakdown to detailed scene writing.

📝 Course Notes

Key concepts from this lesson:

A7 Script Writing (Advanced) Study Notes

What You Can Do After This Lesson

Understand standard script format
Use AI to generate scene breakdowns
Write properly formatted scene descriptions and dialogue
Complete a 10-minute short film script

Why Use OpenCode Instead of Web AI?

Capability	Web AI	OpenCode
Scene Library Management	❌ Re-describe scenes each time	✅ Scene template files, @reference reuse
Format Automation	❌ Format often gets messy	✅固化script format in AGENTS.md
Scene Management	❌ Only in one file	✅ One file per scene, independent editing
Character Voice	❌ Dialogue easily mixed up	✅ @character-voice.md maintains distinction
Version Comparison	❌	✅ Git tracks every revision

Your Current Struggle

Don't know what standard script format looks like
Dialogue reads like a novel, not like real speech
Scene transitions are abrupt, pacing is off

When to Use This Technique

When you need to: Write a professionally formatted script
And you don't want to: Produce something that doesn't look like a script

🎒 Before You Start

Make sure you've completed the following:

[ ] Completed A1 Creative Workflow
[ ] Have a short film story idea

Core Concept

Script Writing Process

Story Synopsis → Scene Breakdown → Detailed Scene Writing → Dialogue Polish

Standard Script Format

Scene 1: INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

    A quiet afternoon, sunlight streams through the glass windows.
    ZHANG SAN (30s, casual suit) sits in the corner,
    staring blankly at his phone screen.

                    ZHANG SAN
                (muttering to himself)
        Why isn't she here yet...

    The door bell rings. LI SI (28, sharp short hair) pushes open the door.

                    LI SI
        Been waiting long?

                    ZHANG SAN
                (standing up)
        No, I just got here too.

Follow Along

Step 1: Write the Story Synopsis

Why
Scripts start with a synopsis, one sentence that captures the story.

Switch to Plan mode:

Help me brainstorm a 10-minute short film synopsis:
- Genre: Urban romance
- Characters: Two old classmates reuniting after years
- Core conflict: A misunderstanding from the past
- Resolution: Letting go and reconciliation

Summarize the entire story in one paragraph

Step 2: Generate Scene Breakdown

Why
Break the story into scenes, determine each scene's function.

Break down the above story into 5-7 scenes, each containing:
1. Scene number and location
2. Characters appearing
3. Scene purpose (what plot point to advance / what to reveal)
4. Emotional tone

Step 3: Write the First Scene

Why
The opening scene determines whether viewers keep watching.

Switch to Build mode:

Based on the scene breakdown, write Scene 1 in standard script format:
1. Scene descriptions should be concise and visual
2. Dialogue should be conversational with subtext
3. Add necessary action directions
4. Save as scripts/scene01.md

Step 4: Design Character Voices

Why
Each character should have a distinct way of speaking.

Design "voices" for both protagonists:
- Character A: Speaking style, catchphrases, rhythm patterns
- Character B: Speaking style, catchphrases, rhythm patterns

Save as scripts/character-voice.md

Step 5: Complete the Entire Script

Why
Complete scene by scene.

@scripts/character-voice.md Based on the scene breakdown and character voice settings, continue writing scenes 2-5, save as corresponding files

📋 Magic Prompts

📝 Script Format Conversion

Expected result: Convert dialogue to standard script format

## Role
You are a professional screenwriter, expert in standard script format specifications.

## Task
Convert user-provided dialogue or story segments to standard script format.

## Input Information
### Required Fields
- Content: [paste dialogue or story segment]

### Optional Fields
- Scene info: [time/location?]
- Character info: [character age/appearance?]

## Output Specification
Output in standard script format:

```
Scene N: [INT./EXT.] - [LOCATION] - [TIME]

    [Scene description: environment, atmosphere, visual elements]
    [First character appearance: brief age and appearance description]

                    [CHARACTER NAME (CENTERED, UPPERCASE)]
                (action/expression direction)
        [Dialogue content, indented]

                    [ANOTHER CHARACTER]
        [Dialogue content]
```

### Format Specifications
1. **Scene Heading**: Indicates INT./EXT., location, time
2. **Scene Description**: Bold, describing environment
3. **Character Name**: Centered, uppercase
4. **Action Direction**: In parentheses, below character name
5. **Dialogue**: Below action direction, indented

## Constraints
- ✅ Strictly follow standard script format
- ✅ Add appearance description for first character appearance
- ✅ Scene descriptions should be concise and visual
- ❌ Avoid novel-style narration
- ❌ Avoid overly long dialogue (no more than 3-5 lines per turn)

💬 Dialogue Generation

Expected result: Generate dialogue consistent with character personality

## Role
You are a veteran screenwriter, skilled at writing dialogue with tension and subtext.

## Task
Based on scene and character settings, generate dialogue consistent with character personalities.

## Input Information
### Required Fields
- Scene background: [scene description]
- Character A: [name] - [personality traits]
- Character B: [name] - [personality traits]
- Dialogue purpose: [what to achieve / what to reveal]

### Optional Fields
- Emotional tone: [tense/warm/oppressive?]
- Character voice: @[character voice file?]

## Output Specification
Output in standard script dialogue format:

```
                    [CHARACTER A]
                (action/expression)
        [Dialogue]

                    [CHARACTER B]
                (action/expression)
        [Dialogue]
```

### Dialogue Requirements
1. **Character Distinction**: Each character speaks differently
2. **Subtext**: Surface meaning vs. inner thoughts
3. **Rhythm Variation**: Fast and slow, long and short
4. **Action Integration**: Small gestures and expressions while speaking
5. **Conflict Tension**: Advance conflict through dialogue

## Constraints
- ✅ Consistent with each character's personality and speaking style
- ✅ Keep each dialogue turn to 3-5 lines
- ✅ Include necessary action/expression directions
- ❌ Avoid overly formal dialogue
- ❌ Avoid characters sounding the same

Checkpoints ✅

Must pass all to continue

[ ] Completed the story synopsis
[ ] Generated the scene breakdown
[ ] Wrote at least one scene in standard format
[ ] Dialogue has character distinction

Common Pitfalls

Issue	Cause	Solution
Wrong format	AI used novel format	Explicitly request "standard script format"
Dialogue too long	No limit on dialogue length	Request "3-5 lines per character per turn"
Characters sound the same	No character voice design	Define each character's speaking characteristics first

Lesson Summary

You learned:

Script writing process (synopsis → breakdown → detailed writing → polish)
Standard script format specifications
How to design character "voices"
Using AI to batch generate scenes

Next Lesson Preview

In the next lesson, we'll learn web novel writing, mastering daily update workflows and batch drafting techniques.

📚 More Complete Templates: Prompt Template Library

A7 Script Writing (Advanced) ​

📝 Course Notes ​

What You Can Do After This Lesson ​

Why Use OpenCode Instead of Web AI? ​

Your Current Struggle ​

When to Use This Technique ​

🎒 Before You Start ​

Core Concept ​

Script Writing Process ​

Standard Script Format ​

Follow Along ​

Step 1: Write the Story Synopsis ​

Step 2: Generate Scene Breakdown ​

Step 3: Write the First Scene ​

Step 4: Design Character Voices ​

Step 5: Complete the Entire Script ​

📋 Magic Prompts ​

📝 Script Format Conversion ​

💬 Dialogue Generation ​

Checkpoints ✅ ​

Common Pitfalls ​

Lesson Summary ​

Next Lesson Preview ​