The first sequence of your screenplay is the most important part of the written script. Remember, the reader is looking for any excuse NOT TO READ, so you must grab her attention full throttle and get her turning pages quick. There are a few exceptions, but for the great majority of screenplays you only have about 12 to 15 pages to do this, depending on the genre, and there is a lot to accomplish in those precious beginning pages: (1) Establish TONE, do it quick and early. Be consistent. (2) Establish your PROTAGONIST, and he/she must be interesting and empathetic,…

Screenplay Genre: Mystery Movie Time: 127 minutes 1. INCITING INCIDENT Detective Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) is looking for a way back to England but the Orient Express is unusually filled to capacity. Poirot's friend Bianchi (Martin Balsam), who owns the train line, offers him a spot. (00:16:15)