The first page of your screenplay is more important than you might think. It’s your first chance to hook the reader, grab their attention, and set the tone for the entire script. In Hollywood, producers, agents, and managers often skim through dozens of scripts a day, and if yours doesn’t make an impression within the first minute, it could be tossed aside without a second glance.
So how do you make sure that your first page stands out? In this article, we’ll break down how to craft an unforgettable opening that will compel producers to keep reading and keep you in the game.
1. Start with an Intriguing Hook
Why It’s Important:
The first page of your script is your **“hook”—**it’s your chance to get the reader interested in your story. Starting with something unexpected, exciting, or intriguing is the perfect way to get attention. Producers want to read something fresh, something that grabs their attention from the get-go.
What to Do:
- Open with Action: You don’t need to have an explosion or chase scene right away, but opening with action or a significant moment can immediately pull readers in. A character doing something active and revealing gives the reader a reason to care.
- Start in the Middle of Something: Avoid slow intros. Don’t spend your first few pages describing the weather or providing unnecessary backstory. Start in the middle of the action or a pivotal moment that raises questions in the reader’s mind.
Example: The first page of Inception drops you right into a dream sequence that’s visually arresting and raises immediate questions. What is happening? Why are these characters doing this? The reader is instantly hooked.
Pro Tip: Avoid long descriptions of your setting in the opening. Readers don’t care about how the room looks—focus on what’s important in the moment and the characters who will carry the story.
2. Introduce a Memorable Character
Why It’s Important:
Producers and readers are in the business of finding characters they can care about, whether they love them or hate them. The opening page is a chance to introduce your protagonist or another key character in a way that’s memorable and intriguing.
What to Do:
- Show Character through Action: Don’t just tell the audience who your character is—show them. Let the character’s actions, words, and attitude define who they are.
- Give Them a Distinct Personality: A character with a distinct personality or unique quirks is more likely to stick in the reader’s mind. Is your protagonist tough, vulnerable, funny, or mysterious? Let their traits shine through right away.
Example: In The Dark Knight, the opening scene introduces the Joker, and within the first few lines, we understand who he is—chaotic, unpredictable, and terrifying. It sets the tone for the entire film.
Pro Tip: Be sure that your protagonist is the focus of the first page (or at least the most important character). Readers need to feel invested in them early on, so make sure their motivations or personality are clear from the start.
3. Set the Tone and Genre Immediately
Why It’s Important:
The first page is where you set the tone for the rest of the script. Whether it’s a drama, thriller, comedy, or action film, the reader should immediately get a feel for the genre and atmosphere. A script that starts off with an inconsistent tone will confuse the reader and make them question whether the rest of the story will hold together.
What to Do:
- Use Tone to Shape Expectations: If you’re writing a dark thriller, set that tone early by using sharp, tense language. If it’s a comedy, open with a funny or surprising moment. For action films, start with something fast-paced that grabs attention.
- Keep It Consistent: From the first line, the reader should be able to tell the kind of movie they’re in for. If you start with a joke but the rest of the script is dramatic, the contrast can throw readers off.
Example: The opening of Guardians of the Galaxy immediately sets the tone with humor and action. Peter Quill’s dance through a dangerous alien environment is both funny and thrilling, making the audience feel the fun, adventurous tone right from the start.
Pro Tip: Make sure that the tone you establish in the first page is consistent throughout the script. This helps maintain a cohesive, engaging experience for the reader.
4. Keep the Dialogue Sharp and Purposeful
Why It’s Important:
Dialogue is one of the most powerful tools in a screenplay. The way characters speak reveals so much about who they are and helps move the story forward. In the first page, every line of dialogue should be sharp, purposeful, and impactful.
What to Do:
- Avoid Exposition: Don’t use the first page to dump information. Readers don’t want to be told what’s happening—they want to experience it. Show the character’s personality through what they say, not what they explain.
- Make Every Line Count: The dialogue in your first page should reveal something about the character, set the tone, or advance the plot. If a line doesn’t serve one of these purposes, cut it.
- Introduce Conflict: Even in the opening moments, you should introduce some form of conflict. This doesn’t have to be life-or-death tension, but even a subtle disagreement or a character’s internal struggle can establish a strong foundation for the story.
Example: In Pulp Fiction, the dialogue in the opening scene is sharp and revealing. The way the characters talk to each other—casual, yet insightful—sets up the film’s unique rhythm and tone right from the start.
Pro Tip: Don’t overwhelm the reader with a lot of dialogue right away. If your first page is too talky, the reader might disengage. Let the action or visuals balance out the conversation.
5. Create Mystery or Intrigue
Why It’s Important:
A great opening doesn’t just tell you everything—it raises questions that compel the reader to keep going. Intrigue is key to keeping someone hooked after the first page. It makes them want to know more about the characters, the situation, and what will happen next.
What to Do:
- Ask Questions: Introduce elements that make the reader want to know more. Who are these people? Why are they in this situation? What happens next?
- Leave Some Things Unexplained: Don’t give away everything in the first few lines. Leave the reader with a sense of curiosity about what’s going to unfold. This makes them want to turn the page.
Example: In No Country for Old Men, the opening scene immediately raises questions about the mysterious hitman, Anton Chigurh. His calm demeanor and the violent situation that unfolds create an immediate sense of intrigue.
Pro Tip: Avoid giving away the whole plot on the first page. Keep some mystery around your protagonist or key events so the audience feels compelled to read on.
6. End the First Page with a Hook
Why It’s Important:
By the end of the first page, you want the reader to be hooked. This doesn’t mean a literal cliffhanger, but rather a narrative hook that leaves the reader eager to know what happens next.
What to Do:
- End with a Moment of Suspense: Whether it’s a decision the protagonist makes or an unexpected development in the story, end the first page with a moment that makes the reader want to keep reading.
- Set Up the Central Conflict: The end of the first page should hint at the larger conflict of the story, whether that’s internal, external, or both. The reader should understand what’s at stake and be invested in finding out how it unfolds.
Example: The opening of The Matrix ends with a cryptic question from Morpheus: “What is the Matrix?” This leaves the audience wanting more and sets up the philosophical and physical journey of the film.
Pro Tip: Your first page should create a sense of urgency. This doesn’t always mean action—it could be an emotional or narrative urgency that makes the reader feel compelled to turn the page.
Final Thoughts: Nail Your First Page, and the Rest Will Follow
The first page of your script is your first chance to make a lasting impression. By starting with an intriguing hook, introducing a memorable character, setting the tone, crafting sharp dialogue, and leaving the reader wanting more, you’ll create a first page that compels producers to keep reading.
Remember, in Hollywood, they often judge scripts by the first page—and if yours stands out, you’ve got a better chance of selling your script.
