How to Prevent Writer Isolation and Boredom by Steven Kirwan Screenwriters are a unique breed, because we tend to see the world in scenes. The more prolific the writing, the less contiguous everyday life can seem. Spending hours, days, or even weeks cloistered in our writing caves can isolate us from friends, family, and reality, […]
Posts Tagged ‘screenwriting tips’
Writing Effective Loglines
Posted with permission from Gideon’s Screenwriting Tips: (http://gideonsway.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/writing-effective-loglines/) Here is more advice by Christopher Lockhart, Story Analyst at William Morris Endeavor Agency. It’s a lengthy article packed with useful information on constructing loglines, so take the time to read it thoroughly.
Words Matter
Words matter when writing your screenplay. Tight, concise, efficient writing is key to selling your screenplay, as readers will likely round-file your project if it’s “fat.”
How to Make a Blockbuster on a Budget
Here is a great graphic showing the process of making a movie on a budget: “Nowadays, just about anyone can make a blockbuster movie. You don’t need crazy budgets or a wealthy backer, you can do it yourself with relatively little expenditure. Our guide shows you how.” Special thanks to our friends at Money-pod for providing this […]
Writing Believable Dialogue
WRITING BELIEVABLE DIALOGUE We frequently discuss the pitfalls of stilted dialogue. It’s a problem that hounds many screenwriters, especially our less experienced brothers and sisters. We will explore some of the do’s and don’ts of writing dialogue, but the entire solution can be summed up in one short sentence: WRITE LIKE PEOPLE TALK!!! Really, […]
Protagonists- Heroes or Villains?
Throughout the history of literature, protagonists have been the “heroes” of the story. Please note that I mean “hero” with a small “h.” Not necessarily a “superhero,” but rather the character who faces the central problem in the story and overcomes all of the roadblocks in order to succeed. Movies were no exception. In fact, […]
Building Suspense
You’ve seen them- those amazing films where you sit at the edge of your seat. As a screenwriter, achieving that level of suspense and excitement can turn a good script into something special.
Common Format Mistakes- Scene Slugs
The fastest way to prevent interest in your screenplay is to use incorrect formatting. Given the simplicity and nearly flawless execution of modern screenwriting software, failure to adhere to the formatting norms is a fast track to the round file.
Don’t Give Up
Remember that screenwriting is a marathon, not a sprint. Are you willing and able to go the distance? I’ve won one contest for my thriller, “Delusional” but have not had a film produced yet. But I continue to write and network every day. My time is…
Woolly Writing
As much as possible, screen writing is best kept clean, clear and simple. If the story line is convoluted, labyrinthine, moves across time zones, or periods in time, has many layers of plot that weave in and out…