A beatscript or beat-script is a scripting aid used for describing story ideas.
It offers a level of detail not afforded by the standard feature-film screenplay format.
This allows screenwriters to organise their narrative ideas in a concise manner that is conducive to screen presentation.
It prevents authors from describing non-tangible, subjective elements that are unable to be effectively represented in screen form.
The specific visual treatment of beatscript ideas is usually determined by the cinematographer or director (which on small projects is usually the same person).