Top 5 Script writing examples Court room drama, war crime stories :-
Screenwriting is an art for filmmaking. You can read Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need Book by Blake Snyder
Story writing components in filmmaking
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Story premise | A brief summary of the main conflict and characters in the story |
| Protagonist | The main character in the story who faces the conflict and goes on a journey to resolve it |
| Antagonist | The character or force that creates the conflict for the protagonist |
| Setting | The time and place where the story takes place |
| Plot | The series of events that make up the story, including the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution |
| Character arc | The transformation or growth of the protagonist throughout the story |
| Dialogue | The spoken words between characters that reveal their thoughts, emotions, and motivations |
| Action | The physical events that occur in the story, including fight scenes and chase sequences |
| Visuals | The visual elements of the story, including lighting, camera angles, and special effects |
| Theme | The underlying message or meaning of the story |
Title: “The Tribunal”
Fade in:
INT. UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS – DAY
We see a large room filled with people sitting behind a long table. They are all dressed in formal attire. The room is filled with a sense of gravity and tension. The audience is made up of families of victims, human rights activists and journalists.
At the head of the table sits the JUDGE, an elderly man with a stern expression. To his right sits the PROSECUTOR, a young woman in her thirties, and to his left sits the DEFENSE ATTORNEY, an older man with a tired expression.
JUDGE (banging gavel) This tribunal is now in session. We are here to hear evidence and determine the guilt or innocence of the accused, General Markus Schmidt, for war crimes committed during the occupation of Country X.
The camera cuts to the accused, GENERAL SCHMIDT, sitting at a table in the courtroom. He is a middle-aged man with a stoic expression.
PROSECUTOR (standing) Your Honor, the prosecution will prove that General Schmidt was responsible for the execution of hundreds of innocent civilians, as well as the systematic torture and abuse of prisoners of war. The evidence we present will be graphic and disturbing, but it is necessary for the world to know the truth about the atrocities committed under General Schmidt’s command.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (standing) Your Honor, the defense will show that General Schmidt was simply following orders and that the real responsibility lies with the politicians who orchestrated the war. But let me be clear, we do not excuse or justify the actions of General Schmidt or his men.
The trial proceeds, with witnesses for the prosecution and defense testifying. We see flashbacks of the atrocities committed by the occupying forces, intercut with the testimony of survivors and soldiers who were there.
As the trial progresses, the evidence against General Schmidt becomes overwhelming. The courtroom is filled with gasps and sobs from the audience as witness after witness recounts their stories of horror. The families of victims, now grown old, sit in the audience, their faces etched with pain as they relive the events of the past.
In the end, General Schmidt is found guilty of war crimes and is sentenced to life in prison. The audience erupts in applause and tears as the judge delivers the verdict.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS – DAY
The camera pans over the crowd of people outside the courthouse, holding signs and banners, cheering and crying. A voiceover of the prosecutor is heard:
PROSECUTOR (V.O.) This trial may not bring back the lives lost or heal the wounds of the past, but it is a step towards justice and a reminder that these atrocities will not be forgotten.
FADE TO BLACK
Title: “The Verdict”
Fade in:
INT. COURTROOM – DAY
The courtroom is packed with people. There is a palpable sense of tension as the JURY FILES in, taking their seats in the jury box. The JUDGE, a stern and experienced woman, enters the courtroom and takes her seat on the bench.
At the defense table sits the DEFENDANT, JASON TAYLOR, a young man in his thirties dressed in a suit, looking pale and anxious. His DEFENSE ATTORNEY, a charismatic and well-dressed man, sits next to him, trying to calm him down.
At the prosecution table, sits the PROSECUTOR, a determined and confident woman, going over her notes.
JUDGE (banging gavel) Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?
FOREMAN (standing) We have, Your Honor.
JUDGE (nodding) Please hand the verdict to the bailiff.
The bailiff takes the verdict from the foreman and hands it to the judge, who reads it and then looks up at the courtroom.
JUDGE (solemnly) On the charge of murder in the first degree, the jury finds the defendant, Jason Taylor, guilty.
The courtroom erupts in gasps and murmurs. Jason Taylor’s family, sitting in the gallery, begins to cry. His defense attorney puts a comforting arm around him as Jason looks down, tears streaming down his face.
The judge bangs her gavel, trying to restore order.
JUDGE (banging gavel) Quiet, please. Sentencing will take place in two weeks.
The judge then exits the courtroom, and the bailiff leads Jason Taylor out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
The camera cuts to the prosecution team, looking victorious and relieved, embracing each other.
CUT TO:
INT. JASON TAYLOR’S CELL – DAY
Jason Taylor sits on his bed, staring blankly at the wall. His defense attorney enters the cell.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (sighing) I’m sorry, Jason. We did everything we could.
JASON TAYLOR (voice trembling) I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill her.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (nodding) I know you believe that, but the jury didn’t. We’ll file an appeal and keep fighting for you.
JASON TAYLOR (looking up) You believe me, right?
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (pausing) I believe in your innocence, but the jury found you guilty and it’s going to be an uphill battle to overturn that verdict.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. COURTHOUSE – DAY
Reporters surround the defense attorney as he exits the courthouse, shoving microphones in his face and firing questions at him.
REPORTER 1 Do you think there’s a chance of a successful appeal?
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (smiling) We’re going to fight for justice for Jason Taylor until the very end.
FADE TO BLACK
Title: “War Crime”
INT. BATTLEFIELD – DAY
A barren battlefield stretches out before us, filled with the rubble and destruction of war. We follow a small group of soldiers as they march forward, their gazes heavy with grim determination.
EXT. HILLTOP – DAY
The soldiers crest a hill and come upon a small village in ruins. Everywhere they look, there is evidence of death and destruction– burned out homes, shattered windows, and broken souls.
INT. CHURCH – DAY
At the center of the village is a church, its walls still standing but its interior filled with rubble.
Title: “The Proven Innocent”
FADE IN:
INT. COURTROOM – DAY
The courtroom is packed with people. There is a palpable sense of tension as the JURY FILES in, taking their seats in the jury box. The JUDGE, a stern and experienced woman, enters the courtroom and takes her seat on the bench.
At the defense table sits the DEFENDANT, LILY WHITE, a young woman in her twenties dressed in a suit, looking pale and anxious. Her DEFENSE ATTORNEY, a charismatic and well-dressed man, sits next to her, trying to calm her down.
At the prosecution table, sits the PROSECUTOR, a determined and confident woman, going over her notes.
JUDGE (banging gavel) Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?
FOREMAN (standing) We have, Your Honor.
JUDGE (nodding) Please hand the verdict to the bailiff.
The bailiff takes the verdict from the foreman and hands it to the judge, who reads it and then looks up at the courtroom.
JUDGE (solemnly) On the charge of murder in the first degree, the jury finds the defendant, Lily White, guilty.
The courtroom erupts in gasps and murmurs. Lily’s family, sitting in the gallery, begins to cry. Her defense attorney puts a comforting arm around her as Lily looks down, tears streaming down her face.
The judge bangs her gavel, trying to restore order.
JUDGE (banging gavel) Quiet, please. Sentencing will take place in two weeks.
The judge then exits the courtroom, and the bailiff leads Lily out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
The camera cuts to the prosecution team, looking victorious and relieved, embracing each other.
CUT TO:
INT. LILY’S CELL – DAY
Lily sits on her bed, staring blankly at the wall. Her defense attorney enters the cell.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (sighing) I’m sorry, Lily. We did everything we could.
LILY (voice trembling) I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill him.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (nodding) I know you believe that, but the jury didn’t. We’ll file an appeal and keep fighting for you.
LILY (looking up) You believe me, right?
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (pausing) I believe in your innocence, but the jury found you guilty and it’s going to be an uphill battle to overturn that verdict.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. COURTHOUSE – DAY
Reporters surround the defense attorney as he exits the courthouse, shoving microphones in his face and firing questions at him.
REPORTER 1 Do you think there’s a chance of a successful appeal?
DEFENSE ATTORNEY (smiling) We’re going to fight for justice for Lily White until the very end.
Title: “Tokyo Reckoning”
Fade in:
EXT. TOKYO STREETS – DAY
We see a bustling city, with people going about their business. The camera pans to reveal a lone figure, KATSU, walking through the crowded streets. He looks determined, with a sense of purpose.
KATSU: (V.O.) I used to be a cop. I thought I knew what justice was. But then my wife and daughter were taken from me. Murdered. And the person responsible walked free.
INT. KATSU’S APARTMENT – DAY
Katsu is sitting alone in his dark, sparsely furnished apartment. He looks up at the picture of his family on the wall.
KATSU: (V.O.) I quit the force. I couldn’t stomach the corruption and the injustice anymore. But I couldn’t just let it go.
EXT. TOKYO STREETS – DAY
Katsu is walking again, this time with a sense of urgency. He stops in front of a nondescript building.
KATSU: (V.O.) I’ve been doing my own investigation for years. And now, I’ve finally found a lead.
INT. NONDESCRIPT BUILDING – DAY
Katsu enters the building and makes his way to the top floor. He knocks on a door. A voice from inside says, “Come in.”
INT. OFFICE – DAY
Katsu enters the office to find a well-dressed man, SATO, sitting behind a desk.
KATSU: You’re the one who killed my family.
SATO: (smirks) Prove it.
Katsu reaches into his pocket and pulls out a gun. Sato’s smirk disappears and he stands up, reaching for a hidden button on his desk.
KATSU: You won’t press that button.
Sato freezes, and Katsu pulls the trigger.
EXT. TOKYO STREETS – DAY
Katsu is walking away from the building, a sense of calm and satisfaction on his face.
KATSU: (V.O.) I may not have been able to bring my family back, but I’ve finally brought them justice.
INT. SATO’S OFFICE – DAY (Continuation)
Katsu stands over Sato’s dead body, his gun still smoking. He looks around the office and sees a laptop open on the desk. He starts going through the files and finds evidence of Sato’s involvement in his family’s murder, and other illegal activities.
KATSU: (V.O.) I finally have the evidence I need to bring Sato and his associates to justice.
EXT. TOKYO STREETS – DAY
Katsu is walking through the streets again, but this time he’s being followed by two men in suits. He notices them and starts to quicken his pace.
KATSU: (V.O.) I knew Sato wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Katsu starts to run, with the two men in pursuit. He ducks into an alleyway and hides behind a dumpster. The two men run past him, not noticing him.
KATSU: (V.O.) I have to get this evidence to the authorities before they catch up to me.
Katsu starts to make his way back to his apartment, but he’s stopped by a group of thugs.
THUG 1: Hand over the evidence, or else.
KATSU: I’m not afraid of you.
Katsu fights off the thugs, using his training as a former cop. He manages to escape and make it back to his apartment.
INT. KATSU’S APARTMENT – DAY
Katsu is on the phone with a police contact, giving him the evidence against Sato and his associates.
KATSU: (V.O.) Finally, justice will be served.
Title: “Echoes of Love”
Fade in:
EXT. VARANASI GHAT – DAY
We see the beautiful and bustling ghats of Varanasi, with the sound of the river Ganges and the aroma of incense in the air. The camera pans to reveal a young woman, AARTI, sitting on the steps leading down to the river, lost in thought.
AARTI: (V.O.) I’ve lived in Varanasi all my life, but I’ve never truly appreciated its beauty until now.
A young man, ROHAN, approaches Aarti and sits next to her.
ROHAN: Can I join you?
AARTI: Sure.
They sit in silence for a moment, taking in the sights and sounds of the ghat.
ROHAN: My name is Rohan. I’m a photographer from Mumbai.
AARTI: I’m Aarti. I’m a student here.
ROHAN: Varanasi is such a beautiful and spiritual place. I’ve been taking pictures here for the past few days.
AARTI: I’ve never seen it through the eyes of a photographer before.
ROHAN: I’d love to show you some of my photos, if you’re interested.
AARTI: I’d like that.
INT. ART GALLERY – DAY
Aarti and Rohan are looking at Rohan’s photographs, which are on display in the gallery. They are laughing and talking, clearly enjoying each other’s company.
AARTI: (V.O.) I never thought I could fall in love in such a short amount of time, but there’s something about Rohan that just feels right.
EXT. VARANASI GHAT – DAY
Aarti and Rohan are sitting on the steps again, but this time they are holding hands.
ROHAN: I have to go back to Mumbai tomorrow, but I don’t want to leave you.
AARTI: I don’t want you to go either.
ROHAN: Then come with me.
AARTI: I can’t just leave everything behind.
ROHAN: We’ll figure it out. I love you, Aarti.
AARTI: I love you too, Rohan.
They kiss as the camera pulls out to show the beautiful and peaceful setting of the ghat, with the sound of the river Ganges and the aroma of incense in the air.
Summery
This is just a Synopsis and script outline of Script writing examples actual script will have 200 pages per page 1 minute .