Brainstorming in Screenwriting: Step-by-Step Worksheet - pdf download

Brainstorming in Screenwriting: Step-by-Step Worksheet

STEP 1: DEFINE THE RAW IDEA

What is your core concept?

Example: A very inspirational story that makes people believe in themselves. Reference: Diana Nyad.

Write your raw idea here:

✅ What is the emotional theme? (e.g., perseverance, self-belief, second chances)

✅ What is the target audience?

STEP 2: ASSIGN TEAM ROLES (Optional for Group Work)

✅ Writer 1 – The Dreamer: Focuses on emotional, high-concept, big-picture ideas

✅ Writer 2 – The Realist: Focuses on practical story structure and grounded logic

✅ Writer 3 – The Challenger: Focuses on pushing boundaries and asking "what if" questions

(Adjust for solo work: play all roles or ask trusted friends to step in.)

Write your team roles:

STEP 3: FREE ASSOCIATION SESSION

Set a timer for 15–20 minutes. Write down all ideas rapidly without filtering.

✅ Wild plot twists

✅ Unexpected characters

✅ Visual scenes or moments

✅ Potential conflicts

✅ Emotional payoffs

Write your free association ideas here:

STEP 4: ASK "WHAT IF" QUESTIONS

Use What if...? to challenge your initial idea. List at least 5 surprising questions.

✅ What if the character fails publicly?

✅ What if their biggest supporter becomes their biggest obstacle?

✅ What if the story is told in reverse?

✅ What if the character’s goal changes halfway?

Write your "What if" questions:

STEP 5: BUILD EMOTIONAL HOOKS

Answer these key emotional questions:

✅ What is the protagonist’s deepest fear?

✅ What is their core desire?

✅ Who or what stands in their way?

✅ Why should the audience care?

STEP 6: VISUAL AND THEMATIC MOOD BOARD

Collect:

✅ Photos, paintings, or film stills that match the tone

✅ Scenes from inspirational movies

✅ Music playlists that evoke the mood

Use a physical pinboard, Milanote, Notion, or a Google Doc to organize your visuals.

STEP 7: OUTLINE KEY STORY BEATS

Fill in the essential story moments:

✅ Opening Image (the status quo):

✅ Inciting Incident (what disrupts the status quo):

✅ First Major Obstacle:

✅ Turning Point:

✅ Climax:

✅ Resolution:

STEP 8: IDEA REVIEW AND ORGANIZATION

✅ Color-code ideas: Characters, Plot, Visuals, Themes

✅ Highlight the most exciting ideas

✅ Archive the less relevant ones — don’t delete, you might return to them later

Tools: Notebook, Whiteboard, Milanote, Notion, Trello

STEP 9: NEXT STEPS

✅ Assign tasks (for a team) or schedule solo writing sessions

✅ Set deadlines for developing characters, researching settings, or exploring structure

✅ Plan the next brainstorming session

Write your action items:

BRAINSTORMING REMINDERS

✅ There are no bad ideas in brainstorming

✅ Focus on generating, not perfecting

✅ Follow the energy — what excites you?

✅ Trust the messy process — clarity comes later