The bulk of the screenplay is the scene description, character actions and activities, and the sounds as described.

Adaptation is the action or process of adapting from a written work, typically a novel, into a movie, television drama, or stage play.

Advertising is a technique the writer uses to tell the viewer where the film is going or is the indication of some upcoming experience a character might have.

Use only when necessary. An aerial shot be taken from a plane or helicopter (not a crane). For example, if the scene is on top of a downtown skyscraper, the writer might want to indicate an aerial shot of the rooftop where the action takes place.

A scene of aftermath follows a dramatically heightened moment (seen or unseen) and allows the characters as well as the audience time to 'digest' the shock, pain, or joy of that moment.

Most characters, even anthropomorphic ones, are flawed but have the possibility of change (a moral transformation or increase in wisdom), but allegorical characters are symbolic, set, and stoney.

An allegory is a story that sets out to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral lesson. Most films are not pure allegories, where the objective is to preach; however, fables, storybook films, and fantasies often take on the allegorical model.

This character is the protagonist’s main adversary.

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.

This is the central character in the script who lacks the conventional heroic attributes.

Similar to allegorical characters, with their motifs usually rooted in folklore, archetypal characters represent an ideal or symbolic image such as love, malice, forgiveness, wisdom, etc.

Atmosphere is the impression created by the mood of a setting.

Awareness of your audience is an essential element in screenwriting. So much of how a writer writes the script is determined by how he or she wants the audience to be involved. Should the audience know before the character, after, at the same time? How much advertising should be given? How do scenes of preparation and aftermath involve the audience? What about mystery and suspense? When should the something be delayed or revealed?

b.g. is used to describe anything occurring in the background or rear plane of the foreground action. Always use this term in lower case initials. For example: Jim kisses Sarah as the hot air baloon takes off in the b.g.

Backstory is the historical background information that the writer creates for a character. Important backstory should never be telegraphed or force fed; it should come out organically through conflict, humor, and/or believable exposition.