The Sequence
“Sit, Sequence. Sit. Good dog.” Woof! Okay, so sequences might not be not be our favorite four-legged friends, but they sure are killer gifts to the screenwriter.
In screewriting, a sequence is a self-contained unit of action in your screenplay, usually between 10 to 15 pages, that has its own specific tension and an event around or towards which it is focused.
What's a Sequence?
A sequence is a self-contained portion of the entire story, usually about 10 to 15 minutes (pages) in length. It has its own tension (not the main tension, but related in some way) and it has its own beginning, middle, and end.
Sequences and Acts
Generally speaking there are two (sometimes three) sequences in ACT I, four (sometimes five) in ACT II and two sequences in ACT III.
Sequences: Two Principles
There is a lot to say about sequences, but the two most important principles to remember about sequences are:
1. They are the screenwriters best friend. They are small and self-contained enough that they can be kept in mind all at one time (unlike the entire feature, 90 to 120 pages), can be written in one burst of energy and can be shaped and honed independent of each other.
The Eight Sequences
This Sequence Outline is NOT an absolute formula or perfect recipe to building a feature script, but it is something to work from. Because each script is a prototype: new, unique, custom-made just for its own story.
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