How to Hook a Reader with Your Screenplay - The First 10 Pages Explained

First Ten Pages of a Script - We break down how to write the most important pages of a screenplay.
How to Write the First 10 Pages of a Screenplay ►► bit.ly/3Ic5fbq
StudioBinder Screenwriting Software ►► bit.ly/sb-sw
─────────────────────
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Starting your Screenplay
00:31 - The Importance of the First 10 Pages Explained
01:19 - Tone
03:52 - Character
06:42 - Setting
08:50 - Theme
11:39 - Stakes
13:45 - Deep Dive: Sideways
17:56 - Takeaways
─────────────────────
THE FIRST TEN PAGES
There are a lot of screenplays out there waiting to be made, so getting a potential producer or financier to read your script is a big accomplishment. But getting them to finish your script is a whole other animal.
Scripts that get noticed are typically scripts that have strong openings, openings which tell a reader why they should keep reading. Within the first 10 pages, a screenplay should already have delivered a lot of information. In this video, we look at some of the strongest opening ten pages from famous screenplays, and see what they can teach us about writing a great hook.
HOW TO WRITE A SCRIPT’S OPENING
When screenwriting, it is important to know your tone. Are you writing a comedy? If so, what kind of comedy? A satire? Black comedy? Dramedy? Once you’ve answered this question, make sure you infuse your opening with that tone. Think of some of the best comedies out there. Nearly all of them establish their humor right off the bat, and certainly within the first ten pages. The same goes for other genres. A horror will typically have a scare right up front.
Of course, it’s also a good idea to introduce your primary characters in the first ten pages of a script. There are more exceptions to this rule than with tone setting, but by and large, screenplays will establish important character within their opening pages. This is more than just having a character appear. It is also showing the reader who this character is- how they act, think, and inhabit their setting.
HOW TO START A MOVIE SCRIPT
Speaking of setting, most great screenplay opening pages will establish a sense of place. If it’s a sci-fi, a screenwriter may introduce us to the rules of the alien world. If it’s a grounded drama, the screenwriter might note details in familiar settings that feel both real and telling.
Some first ten pages will also set up themes that will be investigated in the rest of a script. If one theme is the value of community, the first ten pages might have a character deliberately eschewing his comrades and going it alone.
In this vein, setting the stakes is also crucial. What will happen if a character doesn’t succeed? In Jurassic Park, for example, David Koepp opens on a worker getting eaten by a dinosaur. The stakes are clear: fail, and get eaten.
SCREENWRITING ADVICE
Your first ten pages may not include all of these elements. It may even only incorporate a few of them. But no matter what, the first ten pages of a screenplay should be intriguing. The reader should want to know more. If you don’t accomplish this goal, the stakes are as stark as Jurassic Park’s: your script might get put down.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
─────────────────────
♬ SONGS USED:
“A Glowing Light, A Promise” - Makeup and Vanity Set
“War Drums “- Kyle Preston
“The Claw” - Richard Reed Parry
“Into The Unknown” - Mark Orton
“Main Title / Trinity Infinity” - Don Davis
“Pool” - Disasterpeace
“The Basement / The Magician” - Jed Kurzel
“What I love About Nicole” - Randy Newman
“The Ozone” - Carter Burwell
“The Little Dead Boy” - Carter Burrell
“Bubble Wrap” - Thomas Newman
‘“2-2815 AD” - Thomas Newman
“Turning Panda” - Ludwig Goransson
“Study Up” - Tune-Yards
“Regalview Theme” - Tune-Yards
“Powercallers Suite” - Tune-Yards
“Boston, MA” - Laura Karpman
“Drips” - Laura Karpman
“Rage” - John Murphy
“North” - Rolfe Kent
“Asphalt Groovin” - Rolfe Kent
“Constantine Snaps His Fingers” - Rolfe Kent
“Drive” - Rolfe Kent
“Lonely Day” - Rolfe Kent
“Miles Theme” - Rolfe Kent
“I’m Not Drinking Any Merlot” - Rolfe Kent
“Slipping Away As Mum Sleeps” - Rolfe Kent
“Title Credits” - Jon Brion
“Bus Rider” - John Swihart
Music by Artlist ► utm.io/umJx
Music by Artgrid ► utm.io/umJy
Music by Soundstripe ► bit.ly/2IXwomF
Music by MusicBed ► bit.ly/2Fnz9Zq
─────────────────────
SUBSCRIBE to StudioBinder’s KZbin channel! ►► bit.ly/2hksYO0
Looking for a project management platform for your filmmaking? StudioBinder is an intuitive project management solution for video creatives; create shooting schedules, breakdowns, production calendars, shot lists, storyboards, call sheets and more.
Try StudioBinder for FREE today: studiobinder.com/pricing
- Join us on Social Media! -
Instagram ►► / studiobinder
Facebook ►► / studiobinderapp
Twitter ►► / studiobinder
#film-theory, #video-essay, #filmmaker

[@StudioBinder]

Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Starting your Screenplay 00:31 - The Importance of the First 10 Pages Explained 01:19 - Tone 03:52 - Character 06:42 - Setting 08:50 - Theme 11:39 - Stakes 13:45 - Deep Dive: Sideways 17:56 - Takeaways

[@joaquinhernandez6940]

Congratulations on making it to 500 videos StudioBinder!

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@elormmichaels5602]

I learn a lot from u guys to shoot all my movies , from storyboard till the entire movie is out . THANKS

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@rayancedrichaddad1197]

A Complete Audiovisual encyclopedia about the Art of Screenwriting. Like for the Art of an Opening Scene, to Hook the Audiences, Everything should happen in the First 10 Pages. Thousand Thanks StudioBinder for this Inspiring video.💯💯💯

[@StudioBinder]

💖🙏

[@DudeSerious-ng8ii]

Any aspiring indian filmmakers here😊

[@parmindersinghdhanjal]

🤚

[@sreenandkrishna9911]

🖐🏻

[@santhosh863]

i m

[@arunsureshmani8606]

❤😊

[@bingo6602]

Here

[@amiiae]

Again, thank you so much for these helpful videos. As a young teenager that dreams to become an actor or a director, these videos could never be more helpful. Thank you so much, please continue to make these videos!

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@bubediscuss]

Sideways is one of the funniest films ever put to screen. Paul Giamatti's Merlot meldowns are to be preserved forever.

[@StudioBinder]

🔥😂

[@Leprutz]

Great film indeed.

[@AScreenwritersJourney]

Thank you for including Sorry To Bother You - more people need to hear about this gem!

[@StudioBinder]

Great film!

[@jessebbedwell]

This is why independently financed films are going to be so important. Over 100 years of cinema and we still have barely even begun to scratch the surface of its potential.

[@StudioBinder]

💯

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Thank you! You help so much with my writing. I've learned more from you than my final year creative writing course at uni. Seeing what you mean really helps me to take things in, and I am not even writing for the screen!

[@StudioBinder]

Happy to help :)

[@shiteshkumartiwari4554]

I'm watching all your videos for a long time. Lots of love from Nepal

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@estherlynnie]

Studio binder is the best! Thank you for all the information you've shared.

[@Lis-ard]

I was hoping to see a video like this from you guys! Great work as always

[@StudioBinder]

Good luck!

[@RomaFlix]

This video is that exactly that i needed today, thanks studiobinder ❤

[@StudioBinder]

Thank for watching!

[@Puppetsinmyhead]

Donna axed me as she coming out the house😂. Definitely need to see this movie!

[@StudioBinder]

worth the watch haha

[@metafuel]

Superb work as always. I love your content. One of my favourite movies is Snatch. Everything done brilliantly in the first ten pages by Mr. Ritchie.

[@StudioBinder]

Great example!

[@MwayiComfort]

Wow my weekly class ❤

[@StudioBinder]

In session!

[@BMWGRANDUZ]

I love this channel I'm learning so much film making stuff please don't stop upload video such a good channel keep going guys.

[@StudioBinder]

we're not going anywhere :)

[@sbinningpictures]

I just finished my first movie as director . I learned a lot from studio binder . I will do mention you when I will get my oscars . Thanks 🙏🏻

[@EirikBull]

Loved this. Writing a screenplay now and I was unsure about the opening scene. This video got me thinking about it differently. :) Also, very good to see American Fiction in this video. It was one of my absolute favorite films last year.

[@vicentecampos2893]

Another great lesson.Thx.

[@raulpierri]

Excellent, as always.

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@danielbarrero2815]

Thank you for your videos!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@freddyjosereginomontalvo4667]

I love start my weeks with your videos 🌍🌟

[@Nerdtoggles]

Starting

[@StudioBinder]

Goes great with Monday coffee :)

[@akibtafhim]

Addiction to Studiobinder? "I'm lovin' it!"

[@StudioBinder]

Addiction to that filmmaking life 😮‍💨

[@rutaiwanwongsirasawad4040]

Love this. Thank you.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@Leprutz]

I love From dusk till dawn. It subverts any expectations. The tone, the Stakes, as well as the characters and it's set up change drastically from the middle of the movie, changing it into a completely new genre as well. Great film.

[@StudioBinder]

Well worth a watch!

[@arnavdurani9962]

loved this

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@rowdy1212]

Sir thank you for this helpful video.. please make a video on most difficult act 2 part. 'how to write engaging act 2 '

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@brycecombs2868]

Without a doubt, SW A New Hope has the best opening that I can recall, which is not over the top or promises more than the film delivers.🥰

[@StudioBinder]

And an iconic opening shot!

[@SuuSinator]

Thanks for your videos (and software)! I think "Lawrence of Arabia" definitly has one of the best opening pages.

[@StudioBinder]

One of the best for a reason 👌

[@AdityaSingh-sg7gp]

Very Nice Video Sir ❤

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@spinsandneedles]

The examples you've shown were as exciting on paper as on film. A few others: Apocalypse Now, Inglourious Basterds, Dunkirk, The Witch, Donnie Brasco, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Silverado, Coraline, Henry V, The French Connection, Rocky III, The Killer, Battle: Los Angeles, Grand Prix title sequence, and of course most James Bond pre-title sequences.

[@StudioBinder]

Great examples!

[@spinsandneedles]

@@StudioBinder Thanks. Again those scripts were wonderful that you've shown. I don't know how many pages went into the opening of Once Upon A Time In The West, but there was an opening which certainly hooked viewers in with the various characters, sights, and sounds.

[@46s-FilmMaking]

The first 10 pages can truly make or break a screenplay's chances 🎬

[@StudioBinder]

First impressions are critical!

[@tylerwhorff7143]

Nice video essay 🤝

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@veera222]

Again Thank You 🤝

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheJordanLeopold]

Aye, shout out to Power Rangers the Movie at the end. The sky diving scene is burned into my brain since as a kid as being one of the most fun intros to an action movie lol I appreciate the deep cut references in your videos

[@Eraserhead1995]

Thanks ❤

[@tnxmelater]

thank you🎉

[@StudioBinder]

👍❤

[@iamPrinceK]

Thanks Studio Binder for this informative video 🫡👏🌟

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it helps!

[@mcZoehh]

great video mates

[@DavidBeaumont]

I'd have loved to see more examples of films where the first 10 pages were known to have helped make the difference between it getting picked up or not. I doubt anyone would have stopped reading a script by Monty Python, at the height of their fame, if the first 10 pages didn't wow them. Same for a Disney film where the script was likely written at the direct request of the studio. Were any of the examples breakthrough projects for young screen writers for example?

[@StudioBinder]

Appreciate the feedback!

[@okbakhenfer3238]

for a great script, there must be a great introduction.

[@StudioBinder]

Absolutely 💯

[@GlenCollinsOfficial]

First! Please analyse director Jonathan Glazer. Especially his work on ‘Under the Skin’ & ‘the Zone of Interest’.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@sulmanmuneer8642]

From Pakistan 🇵🇰:- Your channel and theory is too Good 😇

[@StudioBinder]

Appreciate it :)

[@sulmanmuneer8642]

@@StudioBinder From Pakistan 🇵🇰:- I've been watching your channel

[@thedoctor2871]

This is always the hardest part when I write my scripts.

[@StudioBinder]

At least you can get it over with first haha

[@LeeLoate]

Same here. Scriptwriting is so stressful

[@bollywoodfightactionreacti9189]

Nice ❤

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@KillinItWithFire]

@studiobinder Do you have a video that resembles Denis Velleneuve recent comments about letting the visuals tell the story, rather than dialogue heavy conversations/exposition?

[@StudioBinder]

Not exactly instead of dialogue, but all of our cinematography/editing videos is about visual storytelling

[@themillenial28]

Can you guys make a separate video series on how to review or analyze movies?

[@mainstay.]

So am I correct in thinking 'the first 10 pages' of a script corresponds to the first 10 minutes of a movie/show?

[@StudioBinder]

Yup

[@kirillbach6298]

Thanks

[@StudioBinder]

👍👍

[@sajalrai7957]

@studiobinder Can you please update the links for cheat sheets of the shot list series, it'll be really helpful for all of us...

[@WhiteNight_255]

you are BACK, so am I

[@StudioBinder]

Class in session!

[@dameanvil]

00:00 🚀 Introduction: Writers grab attention with thrilling action, complex characters, and gripping plots in the first 10 pages. 0:32 📜 Importance of First 10 Pages: First 10 pages are crucial as they establish key story elements like tone, characters, setting, theme, and stakes. 1:20 🎭 Tone: Opening pages set the tone and genre of the film, priming the audience for what's to come. 3:52 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Character: First 10 pages introduce primary characters, showcasing their essential qualities and motivations. 6:43 🏞 Setting: Setting is established early to give readers a sense of time and place, influencing the narrative. 8:50 🎭 Theme: First 10 pages often hint at the larger ideas and themes the movie will explore. 11:40 ⚖ Stakes: Stakes are introduced to answer the question: Why does any of this matter? 13:46 🔍 Deep Dive - "Sideways": Examines how the opening pages of the script establish characters, setting, tone, themes, and stakes. 17:57 💡 Takeaways: First 10 pages are crucial for establishing key story elements and getting the audience on board for the rest of the film.

[@abdullahqureshi2337]

Thank you @studiobinder ❤❤❤

[@michaelmkd8968]

Hi StudioBinder! How much screentime does 10 pages mean? Is it an average of like 15 minutes or a percentage relative to any story length?

[@StudioBinder]

Would be about 10 minutes. Scripts work at 1 page a minute

[@michaelmkd8968]

@@StudioBinder ok thank you very much! I suppose the inciting incident is not usually included in those first minutes

[@smcdonough1427]

Man, Sound of Metal is so good

[@clausvergara9702]

Maybe I cheating a bit, but the screenplays that I personally read is Casablanca, Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid and The Banshee Of Inshierin has the hook in the first ten pages.

[@StudioBinder]

Those are great examples!

[@itstonycia]

I struggle so much with writing in general. I get in my head thinking I’m not good and that prevents me from even trying at times. Imposter syndrome, lack of confidence, lack of practice..a lot of things. But I do have stories, I have ideas…but they need a place in a script.

[@user-en9uv8jj7p]

I like the the intros (first 10 pages) of Kung Fu panda but particularly Kung Fu panda 2.

[@DidYouGetSniped]

This will definitely help me write my latest script! Nice Work.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

From a technical standpoint, the film, *"In Bruges"* is a perfect movie. There is not one scene which doesn't propel either story or character development. The writing is sublime, the cinematography is stunning, the acting is pitch perfect. It is the perfect example in showing how something small and seemingly innocuous may seem inconsequential, can have vital importance in a later scene. "Cause and Effect." (SPOILER) For example, when Ken is at a booth paying the entry fee to access the tower, he empties his pockets of small change to be rid of his coins. He comes up short 10 cents only having €4.90 when entry is 5 Euros. The attendant sternly refuses entry to Ken several times regardless that it's only a 10 cent discrepancy. Ken's haggling with the attendant is futile, and is forced to break a fifty. At face value, we could chalk this up as just a small, light-hearted and humourous scene, as not another thought is given to the incident, that is...until the end. Ken, again at the top of the tower, bleeding from a gunshot wound, must warn his friend, Ray that his life is in danger; though Ray is at a cafe in the courtyard at the bottom of the tower. The threat is their former boss who after shooting Ken, is on his way down the tower to kill Ray. Ken knowing he can not walk down the flights of stairs in time to protect his friend he decides to jump from the tower-his suicide alerting Ray to the impending threat. Looking over the balcony, Ken is unable to see below due to a thick fog blanketing the courtyard. Not wanting a pedestrian below to be injured or foil his suicide, Ken pulls a fistful of coins from his pocket, and drops them over the balcony. The tinkling sound of the coins hitting the cobblestones below alerts the pedestrians below to steer clear. Then Ken jumps. Had Ken have been granted entry to the tower the first time, then he would not have had the coins in his pocket which eventually contributed in saving Ray's life. Cause and Effect. The "dum-dum" bullets are another example of how something that seems so frivolous can later be of such consequential magnitude. In Bruges is a perfect movie to study and to use as a blueprint for writing drama.

[@StudioBinder]

Great example!

[@TonaA.R.]

Blade Runner Opening scene is wonderful

[@Chill_Mode_JD]

Welcome to class 🎥🎓💯

[@StudioBinder]

Right on time!

[@tylerbailey4279]

Best ways to pitch a script

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@eusoumelo]

Could you, please, make one of these great videos on fabula and syuzhet?

[@StudioBinder]

we might!

[@eusoumelo]

@@StudioBinder I love you guys

[@juandediosreyes8526]

Hello. I present the hero and the villain of my story in the first page, but over time the story reveals that the character that seemed to be the hero is the villain and the character that seemed to be the villain is the hero. Shoud I reveal this slow burn realization in the log line? Thank you!

[@StudioBinder]

Big twists don't need to be mentioned in a logline

[@juandediosreyes8526]

@@StudioBinder Thank you for your answer!!!!!

[@jimwashere112]

Cars has one of the best openings, in my opinion

[@vfxyemen00]

My favorite hook-me up movie from the start is Enemy at the gate

[@johanninoaballe1297]

any video for how to become a production designer

[@volant3]

Could you share the aspecto ratio of this video?

[@StudioBinder]

16:9

[@SuryayanChakraborty-do9sn]

can you guys make one more dedicated video on how to direct actors please?

[@Kimandrea234]

They have videos about how big directors direct their actors

[@story4films96]

Getting more deeper in how to direct non-actors/first time actors and how to avoid end result notes

[@StudioBinder]

What about it would you like covered?

[@SuryayanChakraborty-do9sn]

@@StudioBinder actually I m gonna make a debut film so I am a amateur myself and looking for how to teach acting to beginner actors. Btw thanks for replying.

[@FilmCritic933]

Please do an explanation video on Lola Run Lola

[@brain_respect_and_freedom]

Sometimes people don't follow this rule and we watched movies like for example "Elizabethtown" /2005/ or maybe SNOOZETOWN: "It’s fitting that the very first line of Elizabethtown, delivered by Orlando Bloom in voice over, is a line about collosal failure. The actual line is “As somebody once said, there’s a difference between a failure, and a fiasco.”

[@StudioBinder]

😂 nice

[@fatimagray4604]

Tennessee filmmaker in the house

[@georgeofhamilton]

It would’ve been nice to get more examples of scene description, aside from dialogue.

[@Croydon97]

Am 19 years old and there is this film am working on that's giving me headache but after watching this i know things will be better

[@NucleusMediaMalayalam]

Sir please add the subtitle

[@StudioBinder]

they're up!

[@SaifAfridi0336]

❤

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@soumyadeepmajumdar8776]

make a video on past lives

[@user-wj2gc6he4t]

can you please analysis good screenplay films in 2023

[@StudioBinder]

we might!

[@stephenwilliams3807]

Scorsese - Goodfellas and The Irishman, Goodfellas in particular

[@StudioBinder]

👍👍

[@LongShotfilmz]

Aspiring Ugandan Filmmaker

[@raisingelephant]

❤️👏

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@adibshirazi]

👌👌

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@garnalmaani]

500 films 🎉

[@StudioBinder]

💖

[@user-vx7cg3ol7b]

Please make a video about Damien Chazelle on Director's playbook....

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@marcusmezzano]

I feel bad for studiobinder because this narrators voice is the only one I want to hear on a studiobinder video 😬😬

[@StudioBinder]

It's not going anywhere ;)

[@General_reader]

Where do people purchase screenplay/scripts!?!?!?

[@StudioBinder]

Studios usually get them from agents or commission them

[@user-su4qh7nx3r]

make one about how to write super hero movies

[@StudioBinder]

we did! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJu9Zq1ufpyfjbc

[@Dreddwinner]

⚠️

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@PatrickMastersProductions]

I think Boogie Nights had the best opening 10 pages.

[@StudioBinder]

Definitely a winner!

[@cainazzo1]

Deep red by Dario Argento

[@StudioBinder]

Nice!

[@RobinJDt67]

Lokesh kanagaraj here🙋‍♂️

[@StudioBinder]

Welcome!

[@RobinJDt67]

@@StudioBinder just for fun... But I like your videos, I feel like I'm studying in a filming school... Thank you...

[@yahiyakhan01]

Do something abut Indian filmmaking.that’s gonna be a great opportunity for indian film makers.

[@StudioBinder]

What about Indian filmmaking would you like covered?

[@yahiyakhan01]

@@StudioBinder i am a filmmaker,in indian filmmaking what is the reason people watch our movies and appreciate all over the world.

[@TinLeadHammer]

Please, re-do the thumbnail using a different typeface: reads like "First IO pages", which did not make sense to me for about five seconds :)

[@reginaldskinner263]

Promo-SM 🌷

[@user-og4hl7ku7f]

Servant.. scene where he picks up the baby and the babys head hits the bed.

[@mrvincefox]

First 2 minutes of this video gripped me into clickbait

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-wj2gc6he4t]

side ways 2004

[@StudioBinder]

💯