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How to be a better screenwriter Part 1

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Hello, deviants! Today, I am helping you write a better screenplay and also to become a better screenwriter. Of course, if you are making your own videos and don't have anyone else working with you, then by all means, write your script however you want. However, if you want to work in the film industry, you might want to read some of this advice.

1.) Avoid camera directions.

The director and DP do not want a writer telling them how to do their job. Your job is to give the director, cast and crew the guidelines with which to work. However, you can imply camera directions and angles through writing. For example:

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Kino glares at the test placed in front of her. The blank page glows with a blinding white.

The first sentence implies a medium shot or close up of Kino as she glares the test on her desk. The second sentence implies a close up on the test, but also gives the director the freedom to figure out how she will best execute your vision. Your job is to write. The director's job is to translate your writing for the screen.

2.) Formatting is key!

Formatting is an entire book worth of information (I recommend The Screenwriter's Bible). However, the basics are as such:
Sluglines (scene headings) need to be in all CAPS. Anything other than "DAY" or "NIGHT" is generally unnecessary. When a character speaks, their name is centered in CAPS on the page. Their dialogue follows on the next line.

In general, formatting is just in place to make it easier for people to read. Script readers have to flip through hundreds of screenplays a day and if yours takes work to figure out what everything means, it's going to the trash.

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.56.17 PM by Cinestress


4.) Introducing characters

When a character FIRST appears on a page, their name must be in ALL CAPS. This helps many people, especially casting, figure out how many people they need for the film. A short description of them needs to be after their name. The description should be their age first and then something like "tiny punk rocker with a mohawk, attitude much bigger than her body." In character descriptions, you don't need to use complete sentences. After the introduction, the only time a character needs to be in caps again is when he or she speaks. Also, be sure that the character's name is consistent through out the script. You may call the character one thing in the script and have the characters give him a nickname, but for the script in general, it needs to be consistent to avoid confusion.

5.) All action lines are written in the present active tense.

Many amateur writers get this wrong and write with a passive voice. Sentences like, "Ellen is sitting on the couch" would be better written as "Ellen sits on the couch" for a screenplay. This is partially because screenwriting is in the moment and we only know what we see. If someone is not already sitting on the couch, you can write, "Ellen walks to the couch and sits down."

6.) Read a lot of screenplays. A LOT.

Sure, most of the screenplays that you will find are not the scripts that won producers over and will actually be shooting scripts or they will be fluffed for your reading pleasure. When it comes down to it, screenplays are not meant to be for your reading pleasure. However, if you want to write them, you need to read them to see how people who make a living at it do it. Many screenplays from Hollywood films are available online! The Internet Movie Script Database has thousands of them.

7.) Keep up to date on screenwriting trends.

A great podcast to listen to is Scriptnotes by John August and Craig Mazin. There are also plenty of blogs and websites geared toward screenwriting as well such as The Script Lab and Script Magazine.

I hope these tips help you out and if you need some direction on your screenplay, feel free to contact me.
I share some of the knowledge I have learned over the past ten years of studying screenwriting and working in the film industry.
© 2015 - 2024 Cinestress
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n64ization's avatar
great tips, man