Here are eight keys to writing a scene that pops off the page and grabs the reader. Writing a scene—especially the big ones at major plot points—usually means adding these eight key principles that move the story forward and keep the reader engaged. In order to illustrate these eight key principles we’ll be using the scene […]
On the nose dialogue examples and how to stop it killing your script. What's the quickest way of letting someone reading your script know they're in the hands of a novice? Answer: Write on the nose dialogue. On the nose dialogue is like Kryptonite to the reader and should be eliminated wherever it's found. In this […]
16 screenwriting tips that will improve your script today. You may have noticed there are quite a few bad screenwriting tips floating around out there. Advice that says you shouldn't ever use camera angles in your description, that a scene should always contain a protagonist with a goal, and that a screenplay is made up […]
Should You Ever Answer a "Screenplays Wanted" Ad? Type "screenwriter needed" or "screenplays wanted" into an internet search engine and you’ll find yourself swamped in ads such as these: Screenwriter wanted to write Indie Drama script. Fantastic and original treatment already in place, just need you to turn into a full feature draft. No pay […]
How to use the 500 Days of Summer script to master non-linear storytelling. Writing a script can be hard enough without playing around with time-frames and trying to still make it all make sense. The good news is, though, that non-linear stories like the one found in the 500 Days of Summer script are actually easier to write […]
Are you killing your chances of selling a script without realizing it? Avoid these Top 5 pitfalls and learn how NOT to write a screenplay. In short, a reader knows whether someone can write on page one. Usually within the first few lines. Or even the title page. As far as the story goes, however, you […]
Aspiring screenwriters are usually aware they need a screenplay theme but don't know how to express it... In this post, we’re going to demystify the confusion about screenplay theme and show you exactly how to show it in your script. We'll do this using three different methods. But first... What is a script theme? Put […]
How to use a script analysis worksheet to bulletproof Act 1. Writing a logline based on the actions of your protagonist in Act 1 is one of the best ways to make it tight and compelling. Use this script analysis worksheet to find out how. It can be really helpful to form a great logline before writing […]
You're about to learn the epic technique most writers don't use when it comes to writing a scene. Forget everything everyone's been telling you about writing a scene. Things like "your protagonist must always have a goal in a scene against a strong antagonist." As we've already discussed in our post on why most advice […]
Screenplay scene description: why is it so important? Often screenwriters are so busy grappling with the dynamics of their story—what their protagonist wants, what pages their act breaks are falling on, etc.—they forget to address the most immediate indicator of talent: writing style. Great screenplay scene description immediately communicates to your reader that your writing […]