How Do You Research a Screenplay? 10 Elements of Superb Screenplay Research

There is a lot of advice on the screenwriting process but screenplay research and the act of finding, gathering and implementing information into your writing is a little more shrouded in mystery.

Sometimes the subject matter and characters you’re writing about are very familiar to you and you can simply draw on what you already know. But other times you may need to write about something or someone very different from your own personal experiences, and then you’re faced with the task of research.

Screenplay research is a critical factor in developing a compelling story. It is also completely necessary to avoid distracting falsities or constant, endless re-writes. 

Whether studying the world that your fictional character will inhabit or learning about a real-life figure or event, research is imperative to create a world that is authentic, specific and vivid.

Good research is the key to a great script.

Bad research is a waste of time. 

The research stages of a screenplay also allow the writer to build from the material. It is through these details that we find both originality and universality.

If you find yourself wandering away from your main quest, these techniques will help you find your way back to your goal: finishing that epic screenplay and handing in your final draft or first draft.

10 Essential Elements of Screenplay Research