Research - Art of Screenwriting

I researched the art of screenwriting. 
You can't just start typing a screenplay straightaway, there is a process of gathering ideas and putting them into a story.

I had a look at 'The foundations of screenwriting' by Syd Field. This book talks a lot about structure and setting the story. It says "Screenplays have a basic linear structure that creates the form of the screenplay because it holds all the individual elements, or pieces, of the story line in place". It continues talking about Acts, just like Steve told us in the workshops.
Act 1 - The set up. Setting the story up, establishing the characters, situation and locations. The first act is very short, little as 10minutes. The audience can usually determine whether they like the film or not. This is the most important act.

Act 2- Conflict/confrontation. Main character has to encounter obstacles stopping his or her path or achievement in the story. Without this the viewer is left bored and waiting for 'exciting moments'.
Conflict is needed in a story as this keeps us watching and hooked for the rest of the story.

Act3- Resolution. The last act of a screenplay is the resolution, this is when everything is resolved and 'back to normal'.  However this does not mean it is the end of the screenplay as a new plot could start or the story could end on a cliffhanger to continue in a sequel at a later date.

"Without action, there is no character. Action is Character. What a person does is what he is, not what he says". 

The book explains how to build a sequence creating action in a lean, clean, and a effective way. A good action sequence should be built slowly, "image by image, word by word, setting things up, drawing us into the excitement as the action gets faster and faster". 

An interesting part of the book I found is about Silence. "The art of screenwriting is finding places where silence works better than words".  I agree with this as looking at my project where there is no dialogue the viewer can work out what is happening without being the need to be told. This going to Steve's advice of 'Show don't say'. 

When reading 'On Screenwriting' by Freddie Gaffney I was took on a journey of how to format the screenplay correctly. As in workshops I learn't the correct way to make a script.
In this book Freddie talks about the font. A script should be written in the Courier font at 12pt as this means there will be enough space on the page. A page of script roughly equals to one minute of film. Using Courier at size 12pt means the text can be aligned correctly to ensure that it sticks to the 1 page 1 minute format. When using professional screenwriting software such as Final Draft the font will be automatically set. 
Reading further into the book I came across stage direction and shots. As screenwriting is telling a story camera shots should only be added when it is essential to the film. (e.g. A close-up of a phone if it rings)
If frames and shots are to be mentioned in the script they will be put in the stage direction section in capitals like CU, MS, LS or TRACK, CRANE, PULL FOCUS, ZOOM etc. 
When necessary transitions will be written in too like DISSOLVE and FADE.  
Most screenplays start off with a FADE IN, it is a long standing convention and should be used even if the film is not intended to start with a fade in. 
The book explains about scene numbers and headings. Using INT for interior and EXT for exterior, then name of location and if DAY or NIGHT. 
MONTAGE may be used if it is connecting a range of disparate shots together to add an effect of passing time. 

Having learn't a lot from workshops the books still help as It has reminded me how to write a script correctly and set a story as a professional screenwriter. In future projects I will ensure I use this knowledge as I will be able to create a strong structured story.