When a playwright starts working on their play, they might not think about the format first. But once inspiration strikes, the structure of their script is what brings their vision to life on stage.

Maybe you’re thinking about writing a screenplay, but don’t know where to start. Or maybe you’re interested in following in the footsteps of writer-directors such as Mindy Kaling or Jordan Peele.

A screenplay is the written version of a film or an episode of television. Simple, right? Wrong. Unlike a completed work, such as a novel or a short story, a screenplay is the first in a long series ...