Character arc: the secret sauce to demonstrating your hero's growth. Creating a strong character arc can be a difficult and confusing enterprise for many writers. If you want to break into the industry, though, it’s vital. Well, almost always vital… James Bond doesn’t have much of a character arc. Neither does Mavis, the protagonist in […]
Show don't tell: how to turn a talky script into a visual masterpiece. When it comes to advice on script dialogue, the old chestnut "show don’t tell" is one of the most oft-repeated out there. However, it can be deceptively hard to put it into practice. In this post, you’ll learn how to finally master the […]
Script dialogue: if your characters are just talking you're doing it wrong. When it comes to how to write great dialogue in a script, most advice tends to be quite vague. For example, you'll often hear how “script dialogue should…” • “Propel the story forward” • “Reveal character and theme” • “Build conflict and drama” […]
Script ideas: 5 proven ways to unlock original movie ideas. Are you the kind of writer who has notepads full of script ideas that you don’t have enough time to write? Or do you spend hours staring at your computer screen waiting for “inspiration to strike?” Unfortunately, we’re not all gifted with the ability to […]
Screenwriting software: the 7 best programs compared. Comparing all the best screenwriting software options out there can be overwhelming. When each program has multiple cool-sounding features, different price points and different levels of usability, knowing which screenwriting software to choose can be super confusing. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you make […]
How to write a logline: the ultimate step-by-step guide. Learning how to write a logline that achieves this is perhaps the most important stage in the planning and development phase of writing a screenplay. Without a great logline—one that succinctly sums up the core conflict of the story—it’s pretty hard to write a great script. […]
Best screenwriting courses in the US, Canada and worldwide. If you're trying to find the best screenwriting courses in the world, we recommend checking out those listed in this post. These are our hand-picked recommendations for the very best script writing courses in Los Angeles and beyond based on course structure, reputation, faculty, connections, location […]
Script writing courses: kickstart to a writing career or a waste of money? Many of today’s professional screenwriters are graduates of script writing courses, particularly MFAs. And gaining a screenwriting degree has become a common entry route into the film industry. (Check out our choice of the best screenwriting courses.) However, it can also be a […]
How to become a screenwriter: a pro's guide to unlocking your career. Want to know how to become a screenwriter? Here are seven steps that will take you from newbie writer with no track record to making your first sale. We're not saying learning how to become a screenwriter is easy. Far from it. But […]
Screenwriter salary: average earnings and managing money as a writer. The goal of any aspiring screenwriter is to get paid for, well, writing. But what exactly does it take to be compensated for your work? What do you do once you’re offered money for a script? Is there even such a thing as a “screenwriter […]