The following list is not all inclusive. It is just a starting point for you.

Ten tips on writing a screenplay:

1. Stay within the industry guidelines for formatting your screenplay. Unless, that is, you want your screenplay to scream AMATEUR!!!
2. Do not dress up your screenplay with pretty pictures, handwriting or special binding. Keep it plain and simple. You are trying to sell your ability as a screenwriter, not your skills as a desktop publisher. See #1 above
3. Write as tight and concise as you can. You are not writing a novel.
4. Unless you plan to direct the movie, do not write in camera angles or music montages. That is the directors job.
5. Think of your screenwriting as a business. Invest in a good screenwriting software program such as Final Draft or Movie Magic; subscribe to one of the several screenwriting magazines; buy a book or two each year on screenwriting; attend local screenwriting workshops. If you do not take your craft seriously, no one else will.
6. Write, rewrite, then rewrite some more. Most top screenwriters will rewrite their screenplays 10-20 times before they are comfortable trying to pitch it.
7. Read as many screenplays as you can. There are few better ways to get a grasp on how to write a screenplay than reading the works of others who have been successful.
8. Write a one sentence synopsis of your screenplay (it's called a logline), which acts sort of like a mission statement. If you cannot do that, then you probably need to re-evaluate your story; it is too broad.
9. Adopt a zero tolerance policy for spelling and grammar errors. DO NOT rely solely on your spell checking software as it won't catch the difference between words such as there's and theirs or it's and its. Proofread it yourself, then have two or three other people do the same.
10. Don't tell what the characters are doing: Show it.

Main    Screenplays    Stageplays    Articles    Interviews    Message Board    Links    Contact