Plot Outline
A Plot Outline is a basic written plan that shows how a story will unfold from beginning to end. Writers use it as a roadmap before writing a full script to organize their ideas and show others what their story is about. It's like a blueprint that describes the main events, character journeys, and important story points. In the entertainment industry, it's also sometimes called a "story outline," "narrative outline," or "beat sheet." Producers and studios often request plot outlines to quickly understand a story's potential before committing to a full script.
Examples in Resumes
Created Plot Outline for award-winning short film that secured $50,000 in funding
Developed Plot Outlines and Story Outlines for 12 episodes of streaming series
Collaborated with directors to refine Plot Outline and Beat Sheet for feature film
Typical job title: "Screenwriters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Screenwriters
Online Communities
Professional Organizations
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach restructuring a problematic plot outline that isn't working?
Expected Answer: An experienced writer should discuss their process of identifying story problems, analyzing structure, getting feedback, and making strategic changes while keeping the core story intact. They should mention examples of successfully fixing troubled outlines.
Q: How do you adapt your plot outline approach for different formats (film vs TV series)?
Expected Answer: Should explain how film outlines focus on a complete three-act structure while TV series outlines need to balance episode arcs with season-long storylines. Should mention experience with both formats.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What elements do you consider essential in a plot outline?
Expected Answer: Should mention key story points, character arcs, main conflicts, and major plot turns. Should demonstrate understanding of story structure and how to summarize effectively.
Q: How do you incorporate character development into your plot outline?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they balance plot events with character growth, ensuring character choices drive the story forward and character arcs are clear in the outline.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between a plot outline and a treatment?
Expected Answer: Should explain that a plot outline is a shorter, structural document focusing on main story points, while a treatment is a longer, more detailed prose description of the story.
Q: How long should a plot outline typically be?
Expected Answer: Should know that feature film outlines are usually 2-5 pages, while TV episode outlines can be 1-3 pages, demonstrating understanding of industry standards.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic story structure understanding
- Creating simple plot outlines
- Understanding character arcs
- Following standard formatting
Mid (2-5 years)
- Developing complex plot structures
- Writing outlines for different formats
- Incorporating feedback effectively
- Understanding market requirements
Senior (5+ years)
- Managing multiple project outlines
- Mentoring junior writers
- Pitch presentation skills
- Advanced story development
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic story structure
- No understanding of different format requirements
- Lack of experience with industry standard tools
- Poor communication about story elements
Related Terms
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