Why creating a character bio isn't a great starting point (and what to do instead). You've probably heard that in order to create a great character, you should start with a character bio. Maybe you've been told to ask questions about your character like: • What do they feel about their body? • Who was their […]
Why your script characters feel "flat" and how to fix it. Have you ever been told that your script characters feel "flat"? It's a common note to receive. But we're going to show you how to stop getting it and how to write characters the smart way. After reading this post, you'll know how to flesh […]
3 awesome Final Draft software tricks we learned from an insider. (The following is a guest post by Rebecca Norris, screenwriter and former lead technician on Final Draft software.) When I used to work for Final Draft, I received many calls from frustrated screenwriters complaining that it was taking them too long to type and revise […]
The 3 best screenwriting books for beginners you should own. If you're a newbie screenwriter, the following screenwriting books for beginners will give you a serious leg up when attempting to get to grips with the craft. We have a list of the best screenwriting books for all aspiring writers too, but these are the three […]
Most aspiring writers think there are just 2 or 3 screenplay beats in act 1... In his book, My Story Can Beat Up Your Story, Jeffrey Allan Schechter lays out how to toughen up your act one by including the following twelve screenplay beats. And in this post, we're going to break down the ones […]
Have You Been Told to Just "Write What You Know"? You have probably heard the old adage to "write what you know." It's a cliche, but a very popular one. Many screenwriters and writers, in general, think they're better off writing about personal things. In other words, rather than "making things up from scratch." In […]
Did you know there are 12 secret script beats you should include in act 1 of your screenplay? You have probably heard that Act 1 of a screenplay should include at least two script beats, or "plot points": a call to action (sometimes called a screenplay Inciting Incident) and an Act 1 turning point at […]
Today we're going to tackle the screenplay flashback, its three different types and how to use them in your script. Unfortunately, aspiring writers are constantly told by screenwriting "gurus" to never employ certain devices in their scripts. Nine times out of ten, this is just dumb advice. One of the most popular refrains you may […]
10 things smart writers do to build a screenwriting career. Building a successful screenwriting career is determined by two primary factors: perseverance and pure luck. As we have no control over the latter, let’s concentrate on the former, i.e. how to best stack the deck in your favor. (This post may contain affiliate links, so if […]
Are you thinking of moving to Los Angeles to pursue a screenwriting career, but wondering if you really need to? Many people say you don't need to, but are they right? In short, is moving to Los Angeles really necessary in today's age of Skype chats and Google Hangouts? (Please note: This post may include affiliate […]
