By Sarah Chaisson-Warner
The first ten pages of your script are arguably the most important in determining the future of your work. When in the hands of a producer, agent, or manager, they can usually tell, based on the first ten pages, whether they want to keep reading or if the script belongs in their “reject” pile.
What makes for a solid first 10 pages? What makes the reader want to continue to page 11 and beyond? Here is a quick run-down of what it takes to hook your reader in those crucial opening scenes.
A PROTAGONIST WORTHY OF YOUR ATTENTION
The first ten pages should not only establish who your protagonist is, but they need to also quickly establish why the reader should care about them and their journey. You don’t have to (and probably shouldn’t!) give everything away about the protagonist up front, but by page eleven, the reader should understand who your protagonist is – are they a precocious 10 year-old moving to a new town? A waitress who has fallen on hard times? A lonely divorcee entering the dating world again for the first time?
Once you’ve established who the protagonist is, consider what about them makes them worthy of the reader’s attention. Why should the reader care about this particular person? What about them is worthy of the reader’s continued time and attention?
A CLEAR, COMPELLING WORLD
Introducing the reader into the world you’re asking them to live in for 100+ pages is critical. World-building is important in every script, but it’s especially important for fantasy, sci-fi, and period pieces.
But world-building can often be tricky, particularly in those first scenes. Pages that are full of block paragraphs of descriptive content establishing the scenes and context can slow down the pace early in the read and make the script feel slow and sluggish. At the same time, providing limited details can keep the reader from fully understanding critical context.
Nailing world-building in the first ten pages requires first clarity about where the story takes place – is it on the Western frontier in the years following the Civil War’s end? A newly established colony on Mars? A small coastal city devastated by a hurricane? Once this is established, focus on visuals, sound, and mood – what does the protagonist see, smell, hear, and feel while they are navigating this setting?
A CLEAR CENTRAL CONFLICT WITH HIGH STAKES
Understanding the journey the protagonist will undertake helps set the stage for the rest of the script. Be sure to establish what your protagonist wants the most, and who (or what) is standing in their way. Understanding as well whether the journey ahead of the protagonist is an emotional or a physical one (or maybe both) is also critical for hooking the reader.
In setting up the central conflict, writers sometimes forget to set up the stakes early in the story as well. Understanding what’s at stake for the protagonist is key for building an emotional connection with the reader – if your protagonist fails to achieve their goal, what will happen? By giving the reader a stake in the story, you’re inviting them to emotionally invest in the protagonist’s journey.
A LOGLINE THAT MATCHES THE STORY
After reading the first ten pages, the reader should be able to match the logline to the script. That might seem like a “gimme” but you might be surprised how many times the content of the first ten pages seems completely devoid from the logline. If your logline focuses on an underdog winning a science fair, but the first ten pages doesn’t introduce either the underdog nor the science fair elements, it might be time to rework the opening.
A COMMITMENT TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Making a good first impression is key to establishing yourself as a writer to be taken seriously. A first ten pages with formatting, spelling, and grammar errors signals to the
reader that the writer is an amateur. If proofreading isn’t your strength, consider enlisting the help of a friend or a professional reader to make sure your script looks as professional and polished as possible.
Similarly, consistent formatting and industry standards are key. This not only shows the reader that you understand how scripts should look and flow, but it also ensures a smooth reading experience. Most readers have read hundreds (if not thousands) of scripts and their minds have been trained to read and absorb scripts in a particular way. Scripts that stray from the typical formatting may be challenging for a reader to fully follow. (Shore Scripts offers proofreading services that include a formatting review too!)
LEARN MORE
Are you interested in strengthening your script? Consider Coverage! Our screenplay readers will create tailored coverage to suit your individual needs. Whether you’re looking for condensed or comprehensive feedback for your Feature, TV Pilot, or Short, we’ve got you covered, helping you to write your very best screenplay.
Our script readers are arguably the most experienced in the industry. They are writers in their own right with produced credits, and reps, including WME, UTA, and others. They have read for major studios and production companies. There’s no better team of readers out there to review your work.
After 15 years of working in state and national politics, Sarah Chaisson-Warner is moving into the entertainment industry. As the former Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Athena Magazine for Girls, Sarah is now focusing her passion for creative arts through screenwriting. Many of her feature-length scripts focus on the often unseen experiences of gay women throughout American History, and she is also currently writing a sci-fi TV series and a family Christmas script.
