Help! I Cannot Finish my Screenplay
Okay, we’ve all been here. You reach a point in your writing where you think to yourself: “I cannot finish my screenplay!” You …
Screenwriting
Screenwriting is the heavy lifting of all movie projects. Without a great script, it is impossible to produce a great film. The following articles are written by experts with years of experience writing for both film and television. Even if you do not live in Hollywood or have any industry connections, the following articles will give you actionable tactics on how to get your writing noticed, read and sold.
Write or Acquire a Screenplay? Here’s How To Take Action!
Do you write or acquire a screenplay? Think about it. Screenwriting is the heavy lifting for your movie. Without a good script, you …
How To Write A Screenplay First Draft Like A Boss
Many screenwriters fall into the trap of reaching the last page of their screenplay, writing “the end,” and immediately sending it out to …
How NOT To Get Your Screenplay Read (For Smart Screenwriters)
A few years back I had the first draft of my first screenplay ever. Like a lot of folks who dream of Hollywood success, I was eager to share my work with the world. Problem was, I had no idea what I was doing. Through a friend of a friend, I was put in contact with an “entertainment attorney.”
I Wrote A Screenplay, Now What?
If you just wrote a screenplay, congratulations. You just completed one of the hardest things to do in Hollywood. And if you’re like …
How To Sell A Screenplay Without An Agent
Very few screenwriting books offer tactics on how to sell a screenplay without an agent. Something that will add credits to your IMDB, put …
How To Write A Logline For A Screenplay
If you wrote a complicated, character driven script and you’re trying to figure out how to condense it into one log line, have a trusted friend read your script and then ask him or her tell you what it’s about.
How to Become The Screenwriter Hollywood Needs
If you want to get your script noticed in Hollywood—and your talents compensated for—then you cannot be just a ‘good’ screenwriter, you’ve gotta be great!
Final Draft Smart Type: A Secret Tip for Screenwriters
Final Draft is the go-to software for many screenwriting professionals. It’s packed with powerful features and tools that streamline the writing process. But …
How To Test Your Script For Gender Inclusion
When you look at the most recent Academy Awards for gender inclusion, it is surprising that of the non-acting categories, only twenty percent of …
The Shocking Truth About Writing A Short Film (That You Need To Know)
I’ve seen a lot of short films over the years. Frequently I’ve been impressed by the visuals, the level of the acting, sometimes the innovative use of a mix of media. Can you guess what most often is the weakest link?
The Top 7 Types of Comedy Used In Movies
Various types of Comedy are used in comedy films, ranging from slapstick comedy to satire. When you’re writing a comedy, it’s essential to …
How To Stop Rewriting And Start Filmmaking
The importance of having an awesome screenplay can’t be overstated. Your script is the blueprint for your film. And because your movie script …
How To Use Foreshadowing In Your Screenplay
To avoid having any one element of foreshadowing be too obvious, often the writer will throw in some red herrings–some things that could be foreshadowing but in fact don’t pay off or pay off in a different way than we expect. The person who has the gun in the drawer may become an immediate suspect in our minds, but later maybe we see him use it to light his cigarette and we realize it’s not a real gun (of course he may have a real one somewhere else….). That kind of misdirection keeps the audience guessing.
The Screenwriters Guide to Option Agreements
If you’re like most screenwriters, the scenario you’re working towards, aside from on outright purchase of your spec script, is getting an option …
3 Must-Haves For Your Sample TV Spec Script
Television staff writers hold some of the most coveted (and highest paid) writing positions in Hollywood. And your first step toward ‘breaking in’ …
5 Easy Ways To Get Your Screenplay Noticed
In this screenwriting article, motion picture executive Scott Kirkpatrick shares five tips to get your screenplay noticed.
Should You Write A TV Series Or Feature Film?
Should you write a TV series instead of a feature film? With the increasing number of scripted series competing for our attention, especially …
5 Screenwriting Secrets Every Writer Should Know
In this filmmaking article, producer Jason Brubaker talks about the importance of screenwriting and having a good screenplay.
How To Pitch A Screenplay So They Listen
Are you wondering how to pitch a screenplay? You’re not alone. The other day I got an email from a writer who had …
3 Screenwriting Pitfalls That Will Wreck Your Career
Most novice screenwriters think getting screwed over in Hollywood all boils down to story theft, but in truth, story theft rarely takes place. Instead, they overlook the very real screenwriting pitfalls that can cause unnecessary career setbacks.
Should Screenwriters Stick With Movie Formula?
In this screenwriting article, screenwriter Anna Kemp explains why screenwriters should just stick with movie formula.
How To Give Your Screenplay Emotional Intelligence
If you want to write a good movie, you need to give your screenplay emotional intelligence. “Chasing the Monster Idea” is a book by …
The Best Screenplay Contests For Serious Screenwriters
In this screenwriting article, we explore the 10 best screenplay contests according to Hollywood executives.
Screenwriting Advice: Write The WORST Scene Ever!
I’ve been privileged enough not only to work as a screenwriter for the last twenty years but to talk to many other screenwriters …
5 Free Screenwriting Tools for Emerging Screenwriters
Whether or not you’re writing the next Hollywood blockbuster or backyard indie, putting words on a blank page is not easy. Great screenwriting …
WriterDuet Offers Free Screenwriting Software So You Can Write Your Script
If you’re a screenwriter, you’ll need some professional screenwriting. In this article, filmmaking stuff offers links to free software and resources.
5 Tips For New Screenwriters Who Want To Avoid The Trash
When I read screenplays for a producer, many of the screenplays I read were unprofessional. In this article, I list 5 tips for avoiding the trash can.
I Wrote My First Screenplay, Now What?
If you just finished your first screenplay, congratulations! Writing a script is a super cool accomplishment. But don’t go crazy. Just because you have …
Why Finishing A Crappy First Draft Is Essential For Screenwriters
Screenwriting is starts by writing a crappy first draft. And the real writing begins in the rewrite. This is because nobody writes a …