Research Folder: Screenwriting Tips

Tips from screenwriters:

BBC Writers Room have lots of help for budding screenwriters, and you can even send your script in to them, but here are some tips they have to be a screenwriter:

·       As budding screenwriter, you should go to the cinema as often as possible and see films on the big screen for which they are intended.

·       read as many screenplays as possible

·       Compare what you see on the page with what you see on the screen.

·       Read books such as ‘how to structure a screenplay’ but remember that they can help you and be tools for you to use but they can’t make you great at it, only practicing will develop your skill.

·       Read about the industry in the trade magazines such as Variety, Broadcast, The Hollywood Reporter, and Screen International.

·       Make short films – they can develop your skill and be useful for a showreel and possible exhibitions.

·       Should expect to do much more rewriting than original writing.

·       Rewrite to make your script perfect, take peoples feedback and advice to help you.

·       If commissioned, you should get used to the producer and director having control of your script and will bring their own vision, ideas, and experience to that script, so it may not turn out how you originally planned it, for better for worse.

·       Keep the audience in mind at all times while writing, they are at the heart of it all and you’ve got to prove to the industry your film is worthwhile because it’s incredibly tough to get it to cinema and then to get an audience to come watch it.

·       Develop thick skin – you will get no a lot, told your work isn’t good enough

·       Be persistent and keep practicing and developing your skills and knowledge

 

Screenplay Explorer also have tips on how to write a great screenplay, here are their tips:

·       Your idea should be original and unique.

·       When pitching, condense your storyline into 1, 2 or 3 sentences to capture the essence of the story and capture the audience.

·       Even if you use somebody else’s idea, if you add a plot twist and a unique hook then it is original and a whole new film.

·       Make your script appeal to a mass audience – although you may have an original idea, other people may not think it’s interesting so if you are writing to sell rather than to write for yourself, you have to keep an audience in mind while writing.

·       Add detail to the pitch, for example don’t just say what would happen, go in-depth and say ages and the reason behind why and a hook.

·       Make what you’re pitching obvious – if it’s a comedy, the people should be laughing throughout your pitch, if an action, they should be excited and be imagining it.

·       ‘You’re giving the premise of your story, not what happens in it’

 

WhatCulture give 12 essential tips on how to be a screenwriter:

·       Read screenplays of the films you like and a variety of different genres

·       Write every single day to develop your skill

·       Write to your strengths

·       Know and have a clear direction of your story

·       Every scene needs a goal

·       Choose your protagonist

·       Write for an audience

·       Keep them guessing what will happen next

·       Axe the boring parts

·       Have something to say through the film

·       Once you’ve done your first draft (90 pages), stop and then go back and add parts and improve

·       After finishing, put it away and don’t think about it for a month, then go back and read through, improve the parts you didn’t think needed improving before, then send it off.

Below is Dustin Lee, giving tips on being a screenwriter:

 

Bibliography:
BBC Writers Room, Screenplay Explorer, WhatCulture, Youtube