KittyTank working on props
Untitled
1 month ago
A screenplay to start, then one worthy of pitching to Lionsgate!
People who have done this
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How to write a screenplay
It made me
Joyful, capable.
 "I proved to myself that I can do this. "
How I did it: I definitely didn't do it alone. I attended the New York Film Academy. Having set deadlines and peers to critique my work were immensely helpful and motivated me to write and finish two screenplays, one TV spec script, and one revision of a screenplay. Spend some time learning about screenplay format and structure before you jump in. Find what writing methods work for you. Everyone has different times of day when they're at their creative peak, different factors they prefer in their environment (silence, music, solitude, a public place), etc. Figure out what yours are. If writing between 8pm and 2am works for you, then it would probably be harder for you to try to get up at 5am and force yourself to write.
Lessons & tips: I studied screenwriting through the one-year
program at New York Film Academy. However, you don’t have to go to school in order to write a screenplay. You DO need the following: —A story idea that can be sustained for 90 minutes. —A basic understanding of how to format a screenplay. (You don’t need Final Draft, but you do need to know where to set the tabs for Word for character names, dialogue, action lines, etc.) —A basic understanding of plot and story structure. (For instance, by the end of Act I, around page 20, we should know who the protagonist is and what his goal is. Halfway through Act II, exactly in the middle of the script, there should be an event that flips the script or changes things dramatically. The end of Act II should propel us into Act III. Act III is usually only about 15 pages or so. It’s the main showdown between the protagonist and antagonist. After the climax, try to wrap things up quickly by showing what has changed.)Study a few of your favorite films. Analyze how they’re put together. Read as many screenplays as you can get your hand on. (It’s always smart to read whatever genre/format you’re writing in. Whether it’s poetry, short stories, novels, sci-fi, fantasy, noir, etc.) There are lots of free screenplay sites on the internet, so you have no excuse. Gaining knowledge and exposure before you start will make the writing process easier and the revision process as well.Remember to keep it visual! Never reveal information through dialogue if you can do it with action instead. Don’t have a character ask what time it is. Just cut to the clock on the wall. We all love writing dialogue, but action and story are just as important.Be persistent and don’t give up. In the end, persistence trumps talent.
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More "How I Did It" stories
It made me
How I did it: For a school project, I teamed up with two classmates to write a screenplay for a short film. We combined drama and comedy with experimental film styles to create a fifteen page script. Our weekends were spent in coffeehouses, poring over a laptop screen. We hit plenty of obstacles, struggling through writers' block and boredom. But when the deadline hit, we were able to turn in a complete screenplay that we were all happy with. Read how I did it…
It made me
How I did it: I worked a few hours every day on it. When things were slow at work I would work on it there as well. Once I had finished I had other look at it, they were able to find mistakes and give feedback on what worked or not. Read how I did it…
It made me
How I did it: Dedication and deadlines for a class. Got a first draft, sent it through a lot of workshopping with friends and classmates, then heavily revised the characters and scenes based on the feedback.If you're just starting out in screenwriting, revision will be key. Read how I did it…
It made me
Proud!
How I did it: I was unsure about if I wanted to continue writing as a hopeful career path. I traveled overseas for six months to Canada and because I was away from everyday life I was able to finally write the script I'd wanted to. I completed the script a little after I'd come home. It was a very proud moment to have finally finished it! Read how I did it…
It made me
Spontaneous
How I did it: In my English class, we were told that all nine of us (we're an extremely small and collaborative class) had to participate in a play re-enacting Romeo and Juliet. I stole the job of writing the script from this kid who really didn't want to do it... and, yeah, it elevated from there. We were only going to do a scene or two, but I had soooo much fun with it that I rewrote the ENTIRE thing. We took about 2 weeks to plan it and I actually o… Read how I did it…
→ See all 8 "How I did it" stories
People doing this are also doing these things:
Entries
Purplenails has caught up with her film list in no particular order.
De-bugged
2 months ago
I’ve gone back to the simplistic elements, the sci-fi bits were added to fill plot holes but became just a bit over the top and far too complicated. Think its something to hold back for another script. Need to stick to basics, the idea is the audience is half in the dark anyway, and I want a sort of dark tone, deception, confusion throughout so I shouldn’t make things too clear or complex.
Creative Writing @ Public Library
2 months ago
So, I’ve joined a Creative Writing Club at the local public library. They meet every two weeks. I have been to one meetin gso far.
The benefit of this is a) I get to hear others b) I get to share c) I’m forced to write to a topic with a time constraint and d) I’m in the library and after the meeting I sit around reading/writing/researching
So far this seems like a good way to break into the habit and get serious about this goal.
I have a great movie in mind, it’s everything and will be a deep movie.. can’t wait to write it and then see what’s what about getting it in someone’s hands that can make it happen!
If anyone knows any online resources please share!
wanderingpup is trading and getting ready for a trip.
Untitled
3 months ago
Four days ‘til Script Frenzy! Gotta check out the changes in CeltX…
script frenzy
4 months ago
Hey Kids
Script Frenzy starts April 1 – no foolin
Join me, won’t you: add Script Frenzy 2009
Untitled
4 months ago
I have no clue how to write a screenplay but I have many ideas. My big writing project right now needs to be my thesis but since I love writing, I will put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) for my screenplay ideas when I’m feeling exhausted from my thesis.
My goal is to finish a screenplay by September 1st.
Purplenails has caught up with her film list in no particular order.
Plot holes
4 months ago
I’ve figured out how to rid some plot holes, which seems to advance the story into to some sci-fi-esque areas. And I’m a little clearer on the way things are panning out.
Purplenails has caught up with her film list in no particular order.
Re-opening this goal
4 months ago
And I have an idea which I’ve started writing, I’ve decided I’m writer/director/actor material (possibly), so I’m going to write, direct and have a minor part in it. It’s gonna be a short NO budget film, although I was looking on the UK film council website and I could be funded (if I make it a feature film-which at the moment it could turn in to), but it involved something about development which I didn’t understand. Sounded like they’d be giving me a loan and I had to find a financier/production company who would pay it back. Although that doesn’t seem to make much sense. So not sure if that’s the way forward. I’m sort of storyboarding it ( very vaguely) and then writing out what happens in each scene. So far like two scenes lol. Not very focused, trying to figure some other stuff out at the same time.
mathnerde is trying new adventures
I've added some more
5 months ago
And I know where the current “chunk” of story needs to go. I just need to make more time to write on this. So as a goal I need to have 10 pages by the next time the writing group meets in 2 weeks.
→ See all 412 entries
Ask for advice: Get help from people who've accomplished this goal
 Los Angeles
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camachoborracho asks,
“Let's help each other. To start: What is your Logline/1 sentence description & accompanying Title (and if you have it, also what's the tagline aka the movie poster blurb)?”
— 4 weeks ago |
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kandiman asks,
“I'm trying to convert a book to a screenplay, but I've got severe writer's block and don't know where to start. To make things even worse... I WROTE THE BOOK that I'm trying to convert. Any advice? I'm tearing my hair out here.”
— 2 years ago |
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 Arizona
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Loi13 asks,
“What can I do to make my screenplay longer?”
— 2 years ago |
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 San Francisco
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playingbyheart83 asks,
“How does one come up with a unique story idea, plot & characters? I mean one that makes sense from beginning to end, is complicated enough to make for a full-length feature, but simple enough to be marketable and enjoyable.”
— 3 years ago |
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 London
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Purplenails asks,
“How do you actually write a screenplay, I mean the fundamentals of it, is it only dialogue? can you be descriptive and say what the character is doing, what direction the shot could be taken at, whats in the room etc?”
— 3 years ago |
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 Chicago
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Jack Stitt asks,
“Just curious what everyone's favourite screenplay writing software is (for Windows)? Sophocles looks good, anyone tried it?”
— 3 years ago |
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 Noord-Holland
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Paola asks,
“Any recommended manual/school/source of information to learn the formal rules for writing a screenplay?”
— 4 years ago |
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