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How to Generate a Beat Sheet from Your Screenplay

Written by Khachatur Gharibyan
Updated over a month ago

Below is a clean Intercom-style help article you can paste directly into your knowledge base. I kept it concise, step-driven, and product-focused so it fits a SaaS help center format (similar to how teams document workflows in tools like Intercom, Notion, or Stripe docs). I also aligned the wording with FinalBit terminology.


How to Generate a Beat Sheet from Your Screenplay

A Beat Sheet breaks your screenplay into key story beats — the major moments that define the structure, pacing, and emotional arc of your story.

With FinalBit, you can generate a Beat Sheet instantly using the AI Co-Pilot directly inside the script editor.


Step 1 — Upload Your Script

Start by uploading your screenplay to FinalBit.

  1. Open your project dashboard.

  2. Click Upload Script.

  3. Upload your screenplay file (PDF or Final Draft format).

Once uploaded, FinalBit will automatically process the script and prepare it for editing and AI analysis.


Step 2 — Open the Script Editor

After the script is uploaded:

  1. Navigate to your project.

  2. Click Editor to open the screenplay editor.

The editor allows you to review your script, make changes, and interact with AI tools like Co-Pilot.


Step 3 — Open Co-Pilot

Inside the editor:

  1. Click Co-Pilot in the toolbar.

  2. Start a New Chat.

Co-Pilot allows you to analyze the script, generate story insights, and create structural outputs such as beat sheets.


Step 4 — Select the Recommended AI Model

For the best results when generating structured screenplay analysis:

  1. Select the Claude Sonnet 4.5 model in the model selector.

This model provides excellent narrative understanding and structured storytelling analysis.


Step 5 — Generate the Beat Sheet

In the Co-Pilot chat, type the following prompt:

Generate a beat sheet for this screenplay.

Co-Pilot will analyze your script and return a structured Beat Sheet that outlines the key story beats, typically including:

  • Opening Image

  • Theme Stated

  • Setup

  • Catalyst

  • Debate

  • Break into Act II

  • Midpoint

  • Bad Guys Close In

  • All Is Lost

  • Break into Act III

  • Finale

  • Final Image


What You Can Do Next

Once your Beat Sheet is generated, you can:

  • Refine story pacing

  • Identify structural issues

  • Prepare for script development

  • Use it as a foundation for storyboards and production planning


💡 Tip:
You can ask Co-Pilot follow-up questions such as:

  • “Expand each beat with more detail”

  • “Suggest improvements for Act II”

  • “Convert this beat sheet into a scene outline”

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