If the character in your story doesn’t want anything, doesn’t have any goals, and not much is at stake for them for not reaching those goals, you’re risking that your story will feel flat and forced. If the stakes aren’t high enough (something to motivate, push your character to take decisive action to reach their…
screenwiting tips
Writing A Screenplay: The Main Character
As writers, we all know that our audience (readers first, before the screenplay can be turned into a film) need to care for the main character. If they don’t… well, the script will be disappointing for them and, most likely, that will be a pass. Remember that some people care for characters and others don’t….
What Are the Essential Elements That Make Screenplay Work?
Having time to develop your story is a blessing, especially when you are driven by inspiration and the urge to tell the story in the purest of its form. As long as you can stay connected to that need, don’t overanalyse your story; it might work to your disadvantage. Let the writing flow. However, when…
Let’s Talk About Titles
The title is one of the most crucial elements of your screenplay. There are entire books and blogs devoted to creating and coming up with mind-blowing titles. In our daily life, attractive and catchy titles increase the odds of us picking up a book, reading an article, or watching a video. Unfortunately, nowadays, people don’t…
Why Should You Pitch Your Screenplay Idea Before You Start Writing the Screenplay?
Every screenwriter is hopeful that their story can be turned into a multi-million-dollar franchise. It has happened before, but this delightful miracle is as likely as winning a lottery or maybe even less; hmmm…? However, if you are still certain and not discouraged in the slightest, the first thing you will need to do to…
How to Come up With a Hook for Your Screenplay?
For a reader, filmmaker, producer or an agent to become interested in your screenplay, you need to find a “magical” way to grab their attention. In reality, no one will devote even five minutes of their time to your project if their interest hasn’t been tickled. And, the easiest and the fastest way to do…
What Is a Screenplay?
The screenplay has a very different structure to the structure authors use for writing books. The script for a fiction film (documentarians work in their ways and don’t always work from a script while making a documentary) is divided into scenes, which move the action from one location to another. Change of scene happens every…
Scriptwriting Lingo
Do you ever wonder what means what in screenwriting language? Below you will find all the most commonly used terms by screenwriters. A-Story, B-Story, C-Story The A-story is the core story, how the character, main protagonist seeks the goal. The B-story is the story, which runs parallel and intersects at crucial points with the A-story;…
As a Screenwriter, You Should …
Scriptwriting, like any other creative process, is long, requires brain space and time to develop characters and the stories they will carry. Without the script, there is no film, and as a screenwriter, you should: 1. Like ALL your characters, not only the good ones. Don’t use judgmental words about your characters. 2. Try not…
John August Tips on Writing Scene/s
John August is an American scriptwriter, novelist, director, and producer. His scriptwriting credits include: “Charlie’s Angels”, “Big Fish”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and, recently, “Aladdin”. Website: https://johnaugust.com In one of his older blog posts, he shared eleven tips on how to write a scene. His suggestions are still valid and vital in the craft…