The plot is the main plan of your story. It is the engine that drives the story forward on course. It is the hook, or mystery, or engaging "what if" that interests the viewer. The interest grabbing plot of the example story, Prom Date is Shaun's desire to date Laura. His desire for a date and his shyness make him do all the things he does. This part will be more understandable if you read the example story. 

The plot extends to include all the things that make the story work. Tim's deceitful ways are part of the plot. Dave's knowledge is part of the plot. Colin is part of the plot. 

Plot is the most important part of a screenplay and is an integral part of the story. You can write out the plot, or you can weave the tangled web in your head. But you should know the basic plot.

The easiest way to plot a story is to know two things: What your characters want, and what the situation is. When the characters are put in a situation, they are going to start working to get what they want. For example, if Shaun wants a date for the prom, and Tim wants a date for the prom, and they're both interested in the same girl, what are they going to do? Shaun goes directly for the girl (through Tim), but Tim takes the indirect deceitful route. Complicate things by throwing in some obstacles, like Dave and Colin, and you have a story.

Plotting a story can be a lot of fun. You keep asking yourself, "What would this character do in this situation?" or, "What would happen if this happened?" And you continue throwing your characters into worse and worse situations until they finally cave in or conquer the problem. It's fun to ask others what they think someone would do. You'll find by discussing it with others you'll get a lot of ideas and write a more believable screenplay. Start getting your ideas on paper as soon as possible. This helps solidify them so they don't drift around in space forever.

Part of the problem with plotting is that once you have planned your story through to the end, you know the ending and the thrill of discovery is finished for you. The way to avoid this is to remember that each scene is a little story in itself, so you have several little stories to write for your screenplay.

Hint: The mad rush to get it written can work in your favor. Instead of writing full scenes, write brief paragraphs about what is going to happen in the scenes or acts, so you get a brief sketch of the entire story on paper. There are always some great scenes you will want to write right away, so do it. This way the character's motivations can still drive the story, but not get out of control. (I use this method because it's more fun for me, and works well for me. This form of writing is called a "treatment," and is used by many writers.) Then the challenge is to make each scene develop into a powerful scene. 

Subplot

The subplot is like the plot, but not as important. It intertwines with the plot and helps develop it. In the Prom DateDramaticStructureWithPromDateIllustration story, the model airplane contest was a subplot. It made Shaun frustrated in Act I. It got him talking to Dave in Act II. In Act III it was part of the denouement.

Hint: Romance is a very typical subplot.

Review Questions:

1) A plot: 

a. Has something to do with cemeteries.

b. Is the main conflict that makes everyone tense.

c. Flies airplanes and can't get the wing size right.

d. Is "b." above, plus everything that makes the story go and twist and turn.

a. Is beneath a casket in the cemetery.

b. Is a smaller parallel story that helps the main story develop.

c. Sits beside the main plot in an airplane.

d. Both "a." and "c." are correct (this answer deserves a story - write it).

a) Know what your characters want.

b) Put your characters in a situation.

c) Put in a good mystery.

d) "a" and "b" are correct, and I might have read about "c" earlier.

a) A romance subplot.

b) Mystery.

c) Discovery.

d) Life affirming.

e) These are all true, providing I develop the talent to actually do it.

a) Follows a formal numerical format, like these questions.

b) May be brief paragraphs describing scenes and character interaction.

c) May keep me from wasting many hours and getting frustrated and quitting.

d) May include exciting scenes I can't wait to write.

e) Won't be the least bit interesting to other readers.

e) "b", "c", "d" and "e" are correct.