Story planning · Free PDF and Word files
Free storytelling templates
Find a structure that helps you ask better questions about your story. Compare character goals, causal beats, three acts, Syd Field’s paradigm and Christopher Vogler’s hero’s journey adaptation.
Each original worksheet has a blank outline, a worked film example, a readable diagram and a reference video. Download the PDF to print or edit the Word file in Microsoft Word or Apple Pages.
Choose a free story worksheet
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Free Story Structure Template
Plan a clear character goal, obstacles, decisions and ending with this free story structure template for short films and longer screenplays.
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Free But Therefore Story Template
Download a free but therefore story template to connect screenplay beats through obstacles and consequences, with a worked film example.
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Free PDF and Word
Free Three Act Structure Template
Download a free three act structure template in PDF and Word. Plan setup, confrontation and resolution with an original diagram and film example.
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Free PDF and Word
Free Syd Field Story Structure Template
Download a free Syd Field story structure template with an original worksheet, turning-point diagram and The Shawshank Redemption example.
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Free PDF and Word
Free Hero's Journey Template
Download a free hero’s journey template with a 12-stage worksheet, an original Star Wars example diagram and Christopher Vogler video reference.
Get the free worksheet ↗Use the resources your way
Start with one question
Choose the worksheet that addresses your current problem: a vague character goal, disconnected scenes or an ending that feels unearned.
Compare a familiar film
Read the worked example and watch the reference video. Mark where the framework helps and where the film takes a different route.
Discuss with your team
Share the page, write your own outline and use it to discuss the production. Keep developing the story as new ideas emerge.
Watch and compare
11 Ways To Structure A Screenplay
Reference video from Film Courage. Compare its approach with the worksheet and decide what serves your own story.
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Watch on YouTube ↗Send this free resource to a colleague, your production team or a WhatsApp group.
Use and attribution
You may adapt our original worksheets for your own production planning. Keep the website credit when sharing an unchanged template. These educational resources are not legal, financial or safety advice. Film titles, story frameworks and third-party videos belong to their respective rights holders. Cineview Studios is not affiliated with those publishers, and inclusion does not imply endorsement.
References are provided so you can compare approaches and form your own view. Check the rights to any photographs, scripts, music or other material you put in a production. Protect personal information when sharing crew and cast documents.
