37 ChatGPT Prompts for Writing a Screenplay (Captivating Characters)

ChatGPT is transforming the way we create screenplays.

From brainstorming plot twists to drafting dialogue, shaping characters, and even fine-tuning scenes—its potential is truly revolutionary.

But with so many options, it's a challenge to know where to begin.

That's why this guide is here.

In this guide, I'll share proven ChatGPT prompts for writing a screenplay, drawn from real-world writing scenarios and numerous hours of playing around with ChatGPT.

Let's get started.

ChatGPT Prompts for Writing a Screenplay

Brainstorm original screenplay ideas

Coming up with unique ideas for screenplays can often be a challenge, but with ChatGPT, brainstorming becomes a breeze.

Simply feed ChatGPT with a genre, a theme, or a setting, and it will generate a list of intriguing screenplay ideas.

This AI can help you push the boundaries of your imagination and create stories that haven't been told before.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Generate original screenplay ideas around the theme of overcoming adversity.

The genre is drama with elements of comedy.

Use a small-town setting.

Develop characters for the screenplay

Creating compelling characters is crucial for any successful screenplay.

From protagonists to antagonists, secondary characters, and even extras, each character plays a role.

ChatGPT can help you flesh out your characters, providing ideas for their backgrounds, motivations, character arcs, and more.

Just give ChatGPT the basic idea for the character, and it will provide a detailed character sketch for you.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced screenwriter, help me develop the characters for my upcoming screenplay.

The story is a drama set in a small town, and I need help creating a complex protagonist who is a struggling artist and a cunning antagonist who is a successful businessman.

Outline the plot for the screenplay

As a creative assistant, ChatGPT can help you outline the plot for a screenplay.

You can provide it with a basic idea, a genre, or even a character description, and ChatGPT can generate a rough plot structure for your screenplay.

This can include elements like plot points, character arcs, and turning points.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a creative writer, I need help outlining a plot for my screenplay.

It's a sci-fi story set in a dystopian future where a group of rebels must overthrow an oppressive regime.

Help me construct a rough plot structure, including major plot points and character arcs.

Write a logline for the screenplay

When you're writing a screenplay, one of the first things you'll need to develop is a logline - a one or two sentence summary of your film that not only conveys the basic premise, but also hooks your reader.

ChatGPT can be a useful tool in brainstorming and refining your logline.

Simply describe your story to ChatGPT and ask it to help you to condense it into a compelling logline.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned screenwriter and assist me in crafting a captivating logline for my screenplay.

The story is about a middle-aged woman who, after losing her job, decides to chase her long-forgotten dream of becoming a professional dancer.

Create character backstories

Creating character backstories for a screenplay can be a tedious task, but ChatGPT can streamline the process by brainstorming detailed, engaging, and unique backstories.

Just provide ChatGPT with a character's basic details such as role, personality traits, and any specific quirks or aspects.

It will then generate a backstory that aligns well with these details and lends depth to the character.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a seasoned screenplay writer, create compelling backstories for the following characters:

1.

The protagonist, a rebellious young woman with a secret past.

2.

The antagonist, a ruthless businessman haunted by the death of his twin brother.

Develop character dialogue and actions

ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for brainstorming dialogue and actions for your screenplay characters.

Provide ChatGPT with your character's basic information, like their personality, background, and the situation they're in, and ask for dialogue and action suggestions.

ChatGPT can provide potential lines of dialogue or describe the actions that the character might take, helping to deepen their persona.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned screenplay writer and help me develop dialogue and actions for my character.

The character is a rebellious teenager from a small town who has just discovered a secret about their family's past.

What would they say and do upon making this discovery?

Structure the screenplay into acts

Dividing a screenplay into acts is essential for creating a cohesive and engaging story.

ChatGPT can help you structure your screenplay into the classic three-act structure: setup, confrontation, and resolution.

Just provide ChatGPT with a rough plot or concept, and it will generate a possible way to divide it into acts.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced scriptwriter and help structure the following story into a three-act screenplay:

A young woman discovers she has inherited special powers from her grandmother, and must use them to save her town from an imminent disaster.

Write a detailed scene-by-scene outline

Working on a screenplay and stuck at structuring scenes?

ChatGPT can assist you by providing a detailed scene-by-scene outline to help you understand the progression of your story.

Just feed ChatGPT with your basic plot or character outlines, and it can guide you through the process of structuring your scenes.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced screenwriter and provide a detailed scene-by-scene outline for a film about a young artist who discovers she can bring her paintings to life.

Here are the basic character and plot outlines:

Script the opening scene

Whether you're stuck on the opening lines or simply need a fresh perspective on how to start your screenplay, ChatGPT can be your solution.

Feed it with some basic details about your story, like characters, setting, or the general mood, and it can script the first scene for you.

It can help set up the right tone and introduce your characters in an engaging manner.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Assume the role of a skilled screenwriter and help me create the opening scene for my screenplay.

My story is a romantic drama set in 1940s Paris, revolving around a young painter and an American soldier.

Develop conflicts and resolutions

Conflict is the engine of every screenplay, driving the story forward.

Resolutions offer a satisfying conclusion.

ChatGPT can assist you in creating compelling conflicts and resolutions for your story.

All you need to do is provide the basic plot, characters, or situation, and ChatGPT will come up with interesting conflicts and their corresponding resolutions.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a seasoned screenwriter, develop compelling conflicts and corresponding resolutions for a film set in post-apocalyptic New York.

The main characters are a group of survivors trying to find a safe haven.

Write a compelling climax for the screenplay

ChatGPT can assist you in crafting a captivating climax for your screenplay, essential in making your story memorable.

You just need to provide the context or the summary of your story, and it will generate a compelling climax based on that.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an accomplished scriptwriter and create a compelling climax for my screenplay.

The story revolves around two best friends, Mike and Jessie, who find out they've fallen for the same woman.

Craft a climax that brings their friendship to a test while also concluding the love triangle.

Draft the screenplay’s denouement

For writers drafting the climax or denouement of a screenplay, ChatGPT can be a handy tool.

Provide it with the backstory, main characters, and the conflict that needs to be resolved, and ChatGPT can help draft a satisfying resolution.

It can carefully weave together the loose ends, keeping in mind the character arcs and overall plot, to ensure a fitting end to your story.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Given the context and characters of my screenplay, help me draft the denouement.

The story is about a scientist who invents a machine that can predict the future, but he struggles with the ethical implications of his invention.

In the end, he must decide whether to destroy his creation or let it fall into the wrong hands.

Write the screenplay’s dialogue

ChatGPT can be your writing partner when it comes to drafting dialogues for your screenplay.

By providing a brief context or situation, ChatGPT can generate a dialogue exchange between the characters.

The AI can simulate natural-sounding, convincing dialogue, enhancing the characters' depth and driving the plot forward.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced screenwriter to draft a dialogue exchange for a tense scene in a drama film.

The scene involves a confrontation between the protagonist, a struggling artist, and their long-estranged sibling who is a successful businessperson.

Describe the screenplay’s settings

A vivid setting is crucial for any screenplay as it sets the tone and mood of the story.

You can ask ChatGPT to help describe the settings in a manner that enhances your narrative and makes it compelling.

Give ChatGPT the details of your story, including the time, place, and overall environment, and it can help bring these details to life.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a screenplay writer, craft detailed descriptions of the following settings for my screenplay: a bustling city in the 1980s, a quiet rural farmhouse, and a mysterious, moonlit forest.

Write stage directions for actors

Writing a screenplay involves more than just dialogue.

It's also about providing stage directions to guide the actors' actions, emotions, and movements.

ChatGPT can help you write explicit, evocative stage directions that enable actors to understand their character's motivations and emotional state.

Just provide the dialogue and ChatGPT will create stage directions, or ask it to improve your existing ones.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced playwright and provide descriptive stage directions for the actors in this dialogue.

Here is the dialogue to be staged:

Develop subplots and secondary characters

When crafting a screenplay, ChatGPT can assist in the development of subplots and secondary characters that enrich the overall narrative.

You can provide a brief summary of your main plot, and ChatGPT will generate ideas for connected subplots and interesting secondary characters.

These additions can add depth to your story, enhancing audience engagement and investment.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Assume the role of a seasoned screenplay writer.

Given the main plot about a high school student discovering their supernatural abilities, create intriguing subplots and secondary characters that complement the primary storyline.

Create suspense and tension in the screenplay

ChatGPT can assist in creating suspenseful and tension-filled scenes in your screenplay.

By feeding it with your scene summary or idea, you can request for a more tension-filled rewrite.

ChatGPT can also suggest suspenseful scenarios or plot twists based on your screenplay's genre and characters.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced screenwriter, create a suspenseful and tension-filled scene based on this summary:

In a quiet suburban home, a woman begins to suspect her neighbor might not be as normal as they seem.

Incorporate visual elements into the screenplay

Screenwriting isn't just about dialogue, it's also about creating a vivid picture for the audience.

You can use ChatGPT to help you incorporate visual elements into your script.

Provide it with a brief description of the scene, and it can suggest visual elements and details to enhance the scene.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a scriptwriter, help me incorporate visual elements into this scene:

Our protagonist, John, is confronted by his past in the form of his estranged brother.

They are in their childhood home, a place filled with nostalgia and tension.

Write a script treatment

When you're struggling to get your screenplay off the ground, ChatGPT can help you write a script treatment.

Simply provide ChatGPT with the basic story elements like plot, characters, setting, and it will help you to craft a concise, compelling treatment.

This can be used as a stepping stone to writing a full screenplay or as a pitch to potential investors.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced scriptwriter and help me write a script treatment.

The story is about a young, introverted bookworm who discovers a magical world inside her favorite book.

She must face various challenges to save this world from an evil sorcerer.

Develop a pitch for the screenplay

You've got the essence of a great story in mind, but don't know how to condense it into a compelling pitch?

Don't worry, ChatGPT can help you out.

Provide ChatGPT with your screenplay's central theme, key characters, pivotal moments, and it will weave them into a compelling pitch.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a professional screenplay writer and develop a compelling pitch for a screenplay.

The screenplay revolves around a young artist struggling to find her creative voice amidst societal pressures.

Key characters include her traditional parents, a supportive mentor, and a competitive rival.

Revise and edit the screenplay

With ChatGPT, you can revise and edit your screenplay to make it more compelling and engaging.

Provide ChatGPT with the scene, dialogue, or other parts of your screenplay, and ask for improvements or edits.

It can help you with dialogue, scene descriptions, pacing, character development, and more.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced screenwriter, help me revise and edit this portion of my screenplay.

Here is the section that needs revising and editing:

Format the screenplay according to industry standards

If you're looking to write a screenplay but don't know how to format it properly, ChatGPT can guide you.

Provide it with your raw screenplay and ask it to format it in line with industry standards, focusing on elements such as scene headings, character names, dialogue, and action.

Moreover, ChatGPT can also give you tips on pacing, structure, and other crucial aspects of screenplay writing.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As a seasoned screenwriter, please format the following raw screenplay according to industry standards, and provide tips on pacing and structure where necessary.

Here is the raw screenplay:

Incorporate feedback into screenplay revisions

Screenplay revisions based on feedback can significantly improve your story's quality and impact.

ChatGPT can help you incorporate the feedback into your screenplay draft efficiently.

Just provide it with the feedback and the existing screenplay, and it will suggest changes based on the feedback received.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced screenwriter, incorporate the given feedback into the screenplay draft.

Here is the feedback received:

And the current draft of the screenplay is:

Write a compelling screenplay title

If you're trying to come up with a compelling title for your screenplay but struggling with writer's block, ChatGPT can help.

Just provide a brief synopsis of your screenplay, including its genre, key characters, and main plot points.

ChatGPT will then generate a suitable title that captures the essence of your story.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Generate a compelling title for a screenplay.

The story is a dark romantic thriller set in a dystopian future where a pianist and a soldier fall in love amidst a rebellion.

Key themes involve forbidden love, the power of music, and the fight for freedom.

Research for the screenplay’s subject matter

Accurate and in-depth research is a vital part of writing a screenplay to lend authenticity and depth to your story.

ChatGPT can assist you in compiling research on a specific subject matter, gathering facts, notable events, relevant details, and even potential character traits.

Simply provide the topic or historical period your screenplay is based on, and let ChatGPT do the rest.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Help me with the research for my screenplay.

It's a historical drama set during the Victorian era.

Please provide key historical events, societal norms, fashion, and anything that could be relevant to my characters and plot.

Ensure continuity and pacing in the screenplay

ChatGPT can assist in ensuring that your screenplay maintains continuity and pacing.

By feeding your written scenes to ChatGPT, it can help identify any pacing issues, plot holes, or inconsistencies.

This AI tool can offer suggestions for improvement, ensuring a smooth flow of events and effective storytelling.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced script editor and analyze the continuity and pacing of the following scenes from my screenplay.

Provide feedback and suggest any necessary modifications to improve the story flow.

Here are the scenes:

Create emotional arcs for characters

Creating compelling characters is pivotal in screenplay writing and ChatGPT can be a great tool for crafting emotional arcs for your characters.

By providing the AI with details of your characters, their roles, and the story's central theme, it can suggest possible emotional journeys that can make characters more engaging.

These arcs can define how characters change, evolve, and grow through the story, providing the depth and realism needed for a successful screenplay.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced screenplay writer and create emotional arcs for the following characters in a drama-thriller screenplay:

1.

John - A young, ambitious detective with a haunted past.

2.

Emily - A witty journalist struggling with her personal life.

3.

Mr. Thompson - A retired police officer seeking redemption.

Develop character dynamics and relationships

Creating compelling characters and their relationships are crucial for any successful screenplay.

ChatGPT can help you develop your characters, define their motives, and elaborate on their relationships with each other.

You can tell ChatGPT about your character, their background, and the situation you've put them in, and it will suggest how they might interact with others in that situation.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced scriptwriter and help me develop the dynamics and relationships for my characters.

Here's a brief overview of them:

1.

Jack, a reluctant hero with a troubled past.

2.

Emily, a strong, independent woman who is Jack's love interest.

3.

Liam, the charming yet deceptive villain.

Write compelling character arcs

Creating multi-dimensional characters with compelling arcs is crucial in a screenplay.

ChatGPT can help you develop characters, define their motivations, and draft their transformational journey throughout the story.

Simply provide character details, their goals, and conflicts they encounter.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Help me create a compelling character arc for my screenplay.

My character is a timid schoolteacher named Sarah, who's determined to stand up against the corrupt education system.

Outline her transformation throughout the story.

Craft memorable moments and lines in the screenplay

In the world of screenwriting, creating memorable moments and lines can leave a lasting impression on the audience.

ChatGPT can help scriptwriters design compelling scenes and catchy dialogues that stick with viewers long after the film ends.

Provide the AI with your movie's basic premise or a character's personality, and it can help generate captivating screenplay excerpts.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned screenplay writer and create a memorable moment and dialogue between two characters, Alice and Bob, in a drama film set in the 1960s.

Alice is a fiercely independent woman who is trying to make a name for herself as a journalist, while Bob is her supportive yet skeptical editor.

Prepare for screenplay pitch meetings

Getting ready for a screenplay pitch meeting can be a daunting task.

However, ChatGPT can help you organize your thoughts and prepare for these all-important discussions.

Feed ChatGPT with information about your screenplay - character profiles, story arc, important scenes, and more.

Ask it to outline this information into a succinct yet compelling pitch.

For example, you can ask ChatGPT to highlight key plot points or unique elements of your story that make it stand out.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced screenwriter preparing for a pitch meeting.

Organize the following information about my screenplay into a brief, compelling pitch.

The story is about...

Understand screenplay copyright and protection

Understanding screenplay copyright and protection is crucial to safeguard your creative work.

ChatGPT can provide insights on how to protect your screenplay from being unlawfully used by others.

You can ask questions about the registration process, copyright laws, or any other related topic.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as an experienced intellectual property lawyer and explain the process of copyrighting and protecting a screenplay.

What are the necessary steps, and what should I know about this process?

Learn and apply screenplay writing techniques

ChatGPT can act as a seasoned screenwriter, imparting knowledge on effective screenplay writing techniques.

You can ask it about screenplay structure, character development, scene construction, and even dialogue writing.

Moreover, you can ask it to evaluate your existing screenplay and provide feedback or suggestions for improvement.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced screenwriter, teach me about the basics of screenplay structure.

Also, provide feedback on the following excerpt from my screenplay.

Explore different genres for screenplay writing

Venture into the world of screenplay writing with ChatGPT.

It can provide insights into various genres such as comedy, drama, horror, and more.

Just give ChatGPT a brief about your intended storyline, and it can suggest the appropriate genre or mix of genres for your screenplay.

Moreover, it can provide you with the key elements that make a screenplay successful within that genre.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned screenplay writer and provide insights into various genres for my screenplay.

I am planning to write a story centered around a group of friends who discover a secret hidden in their small town.

What genre or mix of genres should I explore and what are the key elements to focus on in my screenplay?

Understand the role of a screenplay in filmmaking

A screenplay serves as the guiding document in filmmaking, detailing the dialogue, setting, and action in a film, much like a blueprint for a house.

ChatGPT can assist you to understand the significance of a screenplay in filmmaking, the structure, and how to compose one effectively.

If you're a budding screenwriter, you can ask ChatGPT for advice on character development, plot structure, or dialogue writing.

ChatGPT Prompt:

As an experienced screenplay writer, explain the importance of a screenplay in filmmaking.

Provide advice on how to compose an engaging and effective screenplay.

Stay motivated and deal with writer’s block

Screenwriting involves creativity and persistence, and at times, you may encounter writer's block.

You can use ChatGPT to break through this block by asking it to generate new ideas, dialogue, or plot twists for your screenplay.

You can also ask it for motivational quotes or anecdotes to keep you inspired throughout your writing process.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Act as a seasoned screenwriter and help me overcome my current writer's block.

Provide me with three new plot twists for my screenplay on a heist gone wrong.

Also, share a motivational quote or story to keep me inspired.

Establish a writing routine for the screenplay.

ChatGPT can help you develop a writing routine for your screenplay by serving as a writing partner.

With a simple prompt, it can guide you through character development, scene progression, or dialogue enhancement.

You can also use it to manage your writing schedule and stay disciplined, ensuring you write a certain amount each day.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Assist in establishing a daily writing routine for a screenplay.

Offer ideas on how to keep the writing process consistent and engaging,

while also offering suggestions on character development and scene progression for a drama film.

 

Conclusion

Wow, we've journeyed far!

From brainstorming screenplay ideas to polishing dialogue, crafting character arcs, and interpreting audience reactions, ChatGPT is revolutionizing every aspect of screenplay writing.

It’s your personal sidekick when you're facing writer's block, your calculator for intricate plot twists, and your brainstorming partner for innovative narrative strategies.

Just remember:

ChatGPT is a tool, not a replacement for your inherent creativity. Combine its potential with your own imagination to create truly extraordinary scripts.

Now it's your time to shine.

Choose one or two prompts from this guide and experiment with them in your next writing session, plot development phase, or group brainstorm. You might find that you become significantly more productive—and inventive—than before.

And if you're keen on discovering even more powerful tools that transcend ChatGPT, take a look at Galaxy.ai.

With every AI tool under one roof, it’s the supreme productivity partner for contemporary screenplay writers.

Happy screenplay writing! 🚀