Screenplay Check list
Problems discovered by :
Syd Feild Arranged by :
Sikander
STRUCTURE
1. Scenes are too expository, and
the characters explain too much. ( X )
2.The
characters are too thin, and do not reveal anything about themselves. ( X )
3. Screenplay
not paying attention to the budget. ( X )
4.
Story resolution is not paid off. (√ )
5. The
ending does not work. (√ )
6. The
ending is too soft, too weak, confusing. (√ )
7. The
ending seems contrived, too predictable, unsatisfying. (√ )
8. The
main character dies [ the easy solution ] ( X )
9. The
main character disappears in the end. ( X )
10. The
surprise twist comes out of nowhere. ( X )
11. Every
thing happens too fast. ( X )
12. Ending
is not big or commercial enough. (√ )
13. Ending
is too big and there might be a budget problem. ( X )
14. Story
line seems unstructured. (√ )
15. The
character’s conflict is too internal. (√ )
16. Dialogue is too wordy, too explanatory. ( X )
17. Scenes are too long with not enough action. (√ )
18. Story
line is thin and episodic. (√ )
19. Story points have to be explained over and over
again. ( X )
20. The
script is too long. (√ )
21. The
story is not visual enough. (√ )
22. Conflict is expressed thr. dialogue, not action. (√ )
23. Characters
are reactive, rather than active. (√
)
24. The
second act is weak and too long. (√ )
25. The
action goes non stop. ( X )
26. Action
scenes are too detailed, with too much description. ( X )
27. The
stakes are not high enough. (√ )
28. The
action is dull and boring, and goes from interior to interior to interior. (√ )
29. The
scenes have no dramatic pay- off. (√ )
30. The
action is in complete, something seems to be missing. (√ )
31. The
story line gets lost. (√ )
32. The
dramatic need of the main character is unclear. (√ )
33. The
scenes are loaded with too much information. ( X )
34. Dialogue is too direct, too melodramatic. ( X )
35. There
are too many characters. ( X )
36. Characters
are not true to the emotional reality of the scenes. (√ )
37. The
tempo of the scenes are too slow or too fast. (√ )
38. Incidents
and characters are not paid-off. (√ )
39. Scenes
lack direction ( a line of development) ( X )
40. No
transitions between scenes. (X)
41. Scenes
are too long, too expository. (X)
42. Tempo
is too slow. (√ )
43. Too
much or not enough info is being revealed. ( X )
44. Too
many plot twists, turns, and contrivances. ( X )
CHARACTER
45. The
main character is a loner and has no one to talk to. (√ )
46. The
main character has no point of view. (√ )
47. The
action is too thin. (√ )
48. The
story line is too episodic, too jerky, and needs transitions. ( X )
48. The
story seems confusing. (√ )
49. Something
seems to be missing. (√ )
50. The
story wanders around and gets bogged down in too many details. (√ )
51. There
seems to be a lack of action. (√ )
52. The
story goes in too many directions. ( X )
53.The
characters are too talky and explain too much. ( X )
54. The
dialogue is too direct, too specific. ( X )
55. The
characters are flat, one dimensional. (√ )
56. There
is no circle of being. (√ )
57. Character’s
actions are predictable. (√ )
58. The material is flat and boring. (√ )
59.
Relationship between the characters are weak and undefined. (√ )
60. Saying
the same thing over and over again. ( X )
61. There
is no subtext, the story is too thin. (√ )
62. Main
character is too passive, too reactive. (√ )
63. Character
conflicts are too thin. (√ )
64. The
dialogue is dull, un interesting. (√
)
65. Conflict
is expressed in dialogue, not action. (√ )
66. The
story is predictable and contrived. (√
)
67. The
main character explains too much about himself
/ herself. ( X )
68. The
main character is not sympathetic. ( X )
69. The
main character is too reactive, too internal, seems to disappear off the page. ( X )
70. All the characters sounds the
same. ( X )
71. Minor
characters are more interesting, stronger than the main character. ( X )
72. Relationships
are too vague, not clearly defined. ( X )
73. Dialogue
is too literary, too flowery, too obvious. ( X )
74. The
main characters is dull, boring. (√ )
75. The
characters lack depth, dimension. (√ )
76. The
character’s emotional arc is too thin and undefined. (√ )
PLOT
77. Too
many characters. ( X )
78. The
main character is too weak, over powered by other characters. (√ )
79.
Scenes are too long, too complicated. ( X )
80. There seems to be two stories in one. ( X )
81. The
story builds too slowly, and wanders off in too many directions. (√ )
82. Characters
are not defined. (√ )
83. Characters
are too internal. (√ )
84. The
minor characters seems to take over action. ( X )
85. Story
lacks tension and suspense. (√ )
86. The
story line is too plotty, too complex,
things happen too fast. ( X )
87. Story is too vague, too thin, too contrived. (√ )
88. Too many plot twists and turns. ( X )
89. Dialogue is too talky, too direct. ( X )
90. Characters are flat, one- dimensional. (√ )
91. Main character is not very sympathetic. ( X )
92. Character
always react to the situation, and has no point of view. (√ )
93. Minor characters stand out more than main
character. ( X )
94. The
script is too long. (√ )
95. Story
is episodic, too expository. ( X )
96. Too
many things happen, with no focus in the story line. ( X )
97. The
story is told in words, not picture. (√ )
98. The
action does not move the story forward. ( X )
99. The
dramatic premise is not clear. (√ )
100. Who is the main character? ( X )
101. Characters are too expository. ( X )
102. Main character is too passive, reactive. ( X )
103. There are too many characters. ( X )
104. Everything has to be explained. ( X )
105. The first act is too long. ( X )
106. The story line is choppy, disjointed. ( X )
107. Too much happens too fast. ( X )
108. Visual arena is too static. ( X )
109. Story seems confusing, too complex. ( X )
110. Events
are contrived, predictable. (√ )
111. The stakes are not high enough. (√ )
112. Not enough visual action. (√ )
***
Problems : 62 for 112
