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 […]
Screenwriting Salaries: What Writers Earn in 2026 (And How to Land Your First Paid Gig) Okay, writers, let's talk real money in screenwriting—because yes, you CAN make serious bank doing this. Now, if you're Googling "screenwriting salaries" at 2 AM hoping to find out you'll be rich by Christmas, I've got some news that'll recalibrate […]
How to plan a screenplay: three crucial steps to take before your first draft. Learning how to plan a screenplay can be a daunting task. Of course, any undertaking in creative writing has an intimidation factor, but screenwriting has an inherent aspect that sets it apart: a lack of freedom. This isn’t to say that […]
How to adapt a novel into a screenplay in 10 steps. If you're wondering how to adapt a novel into a screenplay, you're in good company. So were Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games), Annie Proulx (Brokeback Mountain), Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), and Dave Eggers (Away We Go) at one point. If you’ve found some success […]
Script coverage example: how to learn what readers are looking for. Just what is script coverage exactly? On this page, you can download a script coverage example of the various kinds used in the industry. Let's start by answering some basic questions about script coverage. Then we'll take a look at a script coverage template […]
How to format a script if you want to break into the spec market. If you’re confused by how to format a script, you’re in the right place. The following post contains excerpts from our book, “Master Screenplay Format: a Clear Guide on How to Format a Screenplay for the Spec Market.” The overall message […]
What is an inciting incident in a screenplay? Does an inciting incident have to involve the protagonist? Does it have to occur during a specific minute in Act 1? What story function should it serve? A quick internet search will reveal a whole host of different answers. One well-known screenwriting blog says the inciting incident […]
