Welcome to Screen Writing Tips

Arc of the Main Character

Quite simply, the main character of a screenplay is the person in it who changes the most—the person with the greatest arc. All stories have one main character. Know who yours is before you type FADE IN and you will save yourself much anxiety.

Write What You Know

“Write what you know” is a well-traveled writing cliché. It is great advice to give yourself when contemplating story ideas. Write about a life-changing childhood experience you had. Write about things you've done, or seen—people you've met. Through your unique perspective—as a runner, or a pizza deliverer, or a government clerk, for example—tell an everyday (yet fascinating) story.

Parenthetical

Sometimes, a screenwriter needs to indicate information related to a piece of dialog—such as to whom the dialog is spoken, or emotions the character shows while speaking. Do this with a parenthetical statement on its own line between the character's name and the piece of dialog in question.

Examples: (to Smith), (profusely), or (meekly).

A Definition

Managers work to build careers for aspirants to the entertainment industry. (Many people in entertainment have agents and managers.) Typically, a manager has fewer clients than an agent, which allows more time per client for interaction. Managers are not supposed to obtain work for writers because—unlike agents—they are not regulated. That said, many do obtain work for writers. Managers' fees vary, also due to their being unregulated.

Proximity

If you want to derive income from writing for Hollywood, but also must stay close to your family in Butte, Bangor, or Bethesda, it can be done. It is possible—and not prohibitively difficult—to make Hollywood contacts without living near Hollywood. The information age makes it so. All you need is a phone, Internet access, an email account, and motivation.

What Is the Main Character's False Goal?

Successful screen stories tease the main character and the audience with false goals. When developing a movie idea, think of a goal the main character will chase—convinced it is the solution to the problem at hand—for about the first half of the story. This goal will turn out to be meager, and perhaps impeding—in comparison to the real conflict the main character must resolve.

Sloppy Surely Won't Sell

First draft or twenty-first, edit! The act of typing FADE OUT does not mean you are done with a script. When you reach that milestone, the urge might be to “move forward” and try to attract industry attention. Slow down. Hollywood only wants professionals. Proofread and edit your work—because if it looks like slop, it will flop.

Writing´s No Hobby!

Pursuing your art can limit your income—though hopefully only in the early stages. While you need to be responsible and thus perhaps move toward earning money from your art, you also need support from people who “get it” (that you are a talented—let's hope—driven writer). Never let anyone call writing your “hobby”. Gravitate toward people who can be supportive of artists. You will find it helps your art tremendously.

This Is a Story About…

If pitching troubles you, or if you have done very little, try starting with the phrase “This is a story about,” or “I have written a story about.” Follow those words with a succinct description of your main character and your story's unique, compelling conflict, and you have a good chance of drawing the attention of someone in Hollywood.

Writers Write

You call yourself a writer, huh? Do you write everyday? Do you at least, write “every” day—as in almost everyday? Remember, “Writers write.” They don't go to the coffee shop and look cool with their journal and an espresso at a corner table. Writers don't spend time worrying over their appearance (asking themselves, “Do I look like a writer?”). Writers write, so get to it. Write!

Solicit Input

Writers need criticism. Anyone who will sit down and read your work is worth considering. This certainly includes friends and family. Give your writing to anyone you know and trust. Feedback helps hone the writer's craft.

Who Is the Main Character?

Before you type FADE IN, know your main character (and a few others). The main character is the one who changes the most by the end of your story.

Action

In a screenplay, action is what we see—or nonverbal sounds we hear. Usually, the first element type in a scene after its heading is action. Don't fill your action with feelings you state for characters, nor by stating something is not happening. Focus on what is happening—on what the moviegoer will see after a production company turns your great idea into a movie.

Cover

Keep the cover simple. Use card stock—plain, and not loud. The screenplay's cover is not a place to market, if you want to look like a professional. Include the title (underlined), who wrote it (“by”, “written by”, “an original script by”, etc.), and your phone number (or your agent's). As with your script's content, use Courier New, 12-point. Be sure to add (or delete) any information specified by your recipient's Submission Guidelines.