Screenwriting is not the easiest writing job there is. This does not mean though that you should entertain other writing tasks instead, ones which are many times easier that writing a screenplay. Although it is challenging, it can also be fun and, besides, it can also be very rewarding. What is important though is that you continue to make sure that you are prepared for this kind of job.
Fortunately, there are many options that you can choose from in trying to get the necessary training for screenwriting. You can join workshops and seminars on the matter or you can take formal courses from a university that offers this. If you want, you may even content yourself with the articles posted on the internet or with printed books and magazines about this writing work. The efforts in getting some training and education on screenwriting can actually do you wonders later. With skills honed, you can certainly produce a great screenplay that may be accepted by a film outfit. Of course, that could be translated in a very good compensation.
In writing screenplays though, there are certain things that you should always keep in mind. With these pointers, you can expect to have a product that should satisfy even the most discriminating directors and producers.
1. Write only the script and the general setting in which the dialogues would be made. As much as possible, avoid going to the particulars of stage directing. Directing is obviously somebody else's job. Allow the director to actually have the initiative and the creativity to work out on the scenes. This would prevent conflicts between you and the director.
2. The beauty of the screenplay is in the script itself and not on how artistic it is formatted. Just make sure that the screenplay is easy to read for anyone, especially the actors and the director. Use the standard format, with fonts that are very simple and sizes that are clear enough for the readers. Although formatting is not a very serious issue in writing screenplays, it would help if you read the books of Christopher Riley and Denny Martin Flinn on the matter.
3. Never submit anything you wrote only five minutes ago. In fact, you should not even declare a screenplay as finished product before you get the chance of reading it all over and rewriting it if necessary. Ideally, it would be wise to read and rewrite it after a week. By that time, your eyes would be relaxed enough, making it possible for you to find out the mistakes in content and form. It is not just the typos that you should deal with but the sense of every line to be delivered.
4. It is rude to suggest actors whom you think should perform the roles of the characters in your screenplay. First of all, this is no longer part of your job description. Secondly, if you believe that your script is really good, the choice of actors who would deliver it is not really necessary. There are mediocre actors who are able to convey the message well because of the good screenplay.
5. Practice really makes one a better performer and this is the same golden rule that could be applied to screenwriting. If you still have lots of time left, try writing as many screenplays as possible for the same film project. This would provide you with more options as to which would probably work out best when performed by the actors in the film. Skill in writing is definitely a plus factor. Therefore, you should also hone this skill by producing works that are not necessarily screenplays always.
6. If there is one thing that could effectively make a movie boring, it would be long dialogue lines. This is one danger area which you should be careful about. You should remember that you are supposed to write a screenplay not an essay. There are things that are best said through the camera and acting works and not through long boring verbal exchanges between the characters. Because of this, you may really have to allow the director to improvise as long the result would not deviate much from the essence of the screenplay.
7. Once you are done with the script, read it aloud. You may also ask people to come to your place or office so that you can listen to them read the script. Through this, you should be able to find out if there are lines that are not very natural when spoken. It is a fact that some lines could be best written than said and these are ones that you would have to adjust because scripts are supposed to be said and acted, not read.
8. Secure your script or screenplay once it is done. Never give copies of this indiscriminately, or else you will just find out soon that some other people may lay claim to it as their own. Worse, a movie can just be made using the same storyline, plot, and even dialogue lines that you have written about. You can avoid this if you make sure that your script is provided a copyright immediately upon completion.
9. Before you can even consider yourself a good screenwriter, you will certainly need to develop a good amount of imagination. It is true that the best creations of the mind are always original. But even these are inspired by existing books or films in one way or another. Therefore, if you really want to be a good screenwriter, read as many books as possible. You should also watch movies and concentrate on the dialogues being delivered by the actors.
10. Even if you already had some training in screenwriting before, it is suggested still that you actually join workshops and seminars when these are held. It is by continuous training and education that your development as a skilled screenwriter is hastened.
Obviously, the points mentioned above are the ones that you must always put in mind in your effort to become a good screenwriter. There is, however, no fool-proof formula for being an ace screenwriter. Your only guarantee is to always accept mistakes and learn from them. The products of your writing should be developing further as time goes by.
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