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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 12:57 am |
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How to write movie scripts
The world of film is very, very competitive. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of seeing your writing on the big screen.
Steps
Buy software to help you write. There are many industry standards that the common person is unaware of, and to try and sell a script that does not adhere to these standards is considered amateurish. You might try the latest version of Final Draft on Microsoft Windows.
Read scripts. Read lots and lots of scripts. If you can't find any scripts to cut your teeth on, check out Kevin Spacey's TriggerStreet.com, a free Web site to help amateur screenwriters all over the world.
Look up books on screen writing at your local library. Many former film makers have written books to help people in just your situation.Try to acquire a formal education in screen writing. The best college for this purpose is the University of Southern California. Columbia University, UCLA, SF State, NYU, and UT-Austin are also good choices.Take creative writing courses. Screen writing is just as difficult and time-consuming as other forms of writing and is made more difficult because you have had little practice in school.Examine your favorite movies. Find the scripts for these movies if possible and try to decide what you like about these movies.Write every day until you have a little over 100 pages of properly formatted material. Show your finished work to a friend.Edit, edit, re-edit!Try to get your script optioned. TriggerStreet.com is a good venue for this. Moving to Los Angeles, California, is also very important. You need to create as many contacts as possible.Make friends with jobs at production companies and have them read your script.Get a lawyer before you agree to anything![/list]
Tips - NEVER include direction in your writing. This is a sure way to get your script thrown in a trashcan.
- Practice every day. Write a short film or just a scene, or edit something you have already written.
- Many first-time screenwriters feel that every second should be more exciting than the last. As new writer, a producer is looking for the next big thing. If you don't have it, it's hard to get read. Develop the story so that it progresses. Don't suddenly jump to excitement and then no excitement at all. Make it gradually progress so the excitement builds to a climax, you have to hook the reader, in order to hook the audience.
- Your hook (what we're here to see) should be presented within the first ten pages. The first ten pages are what gets the producer to read further!
Warnings - If you give your script to anyone, there is a good chance that they will be able to use your ideas. You can sue, but you can't easily prove that they plagiarized your work. In the end, you could easily end up having your ideas used without any compensation.
- Never use someone else's ideas in your writing. This is illegal and morally reprehensible.
Things You'll Need - The proper software. Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter are highly recommended.
- An interest in performing arts and creative writing.
- Imagination, talent, and (above all) perseverance. No one makes it in the film industry unless they doggedly pursue their goal.
- Plenty of time: years, perhaps decades!
- A steady job.
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