Creative writing - Mike Sanders 2014
Tips for screenwriters
The play and screenplay people want to watch
Long-form genres
Have you ever viewed a film that had famous, skilled actors and a great director, but the movie wasn’t very good? I have—many times. Often the reason for this is that the essence of the film—its story or the way the story was conveyed—was fundamentally wanting. In fact, many film people believe the real magic of a good movie is in the screenwriting or script. If the characters aren’t developed well, if the story lags or doesn’t keep your interest, then million-dollar stars and directors aren’t going to be able to make it work.
Writing for the big screen
With all this in mind, here are some notes to ponder when preparing to write your screenplay:
Watch movies, especially the classics. They’re called “classics” for a reason, and you can find lists of them on the internet if you don’t know where to start. Enjoy them if you can, but more importantly, note how the scenes are put together, characterization is performed, etc. Take notes in your journal if you’re compelled to do so.
When working on your own screenplay, keep the main plot simple. If there’s too much going on, the general population won’t get it. Think accessibility, not complexity—especially since you’re new to this kind of writing.
Have a strong beginning. You want to capture and hold your audience’s attention.
Play with the setup. The structure of a play is usually beginning, middle, and end, but that doesn’t mean they have to be revealed in that order. Flashbacks and flash forwards can help keep the audience surprised and engaged.
Be sure you have an overall goal or point to your story. After all, you need to have a compelling reason for telling it.
A movie should last at least 90 minutes. (If a film is over 100 minutes, the theaters lose one showing of it every day or have to sacrifice money by running two showings on different screens.) As a rule of thumb, 1 page of script equals 1 minute on the screen. It has to be very good to warrant being longer.
You must have a protagonist, a fully developed main character. That can be one or more people, a thing, or even a place. The protagonist doesn’t always have to be extremely likeable, but he does have to be interesting. In fact, character flaws can add a touch more reality and make audiences empathize.
A workable premise is important. Even if the whole idea is unbelievable, parts of the movie still need to be logical and believable. With all the talking cars and toys of late, you can see this point. However, the toys basically behave in human ways and possess human personalities, which allows the audience to accept both them and the premise.
Be true to yourself, and don’t just mimic others. If you do something that’s never been done, that could really make your screenplay stand out. At the same time, draw on what you learn from watching other films. Many science fiction films, for example, have both far-out elements and conventions drawn from ancient mythology.
As in so many other pursuits, it helps to have a talent for screenwriting, although the more important elements are willpower and practice. Any aptitude will need refining, and skills need to be strengthened. Keep at it, and you might surprise yourself.
Writing for the small screen
In addition to the tips on writing a good movie screenplay, here are some tips on writing television scripts:
Become something of a couch potato at times. Watch a lot of different shows, especially the award-winning ones. Pay attention to your reactions, and make note of them, especially what you liked and didn’t like, and what happened right before a commercial. Get a script online and follow along, noticing how the script translates to the screen.
When you decide what kind of show you want to write, research it. If you want to write shows about the police, study police procedures and perhaps even request to ride with a patrolman. Watch shows in the same genre, and figure out a ways for yours to be different.
Outline your plot. Then outline the story and write down the basic action. Next, figure out where the commercial breaks will be, and be sure you leave the audience wanting to keep watching.
Develop your characters. This is crucial to a good show. You’ll need main characters who are present most of the time plus supporting characters who show up occasionally. Develop backgrounds for each character, and keep track of mannerisms and catch phrases for each.
Write on a schedule because television shows run on a schedule. Most writers write most days anyway. If you get writer’s block, go to another scene and come back to where you got stuck later.
IDEAS AND INSPIRATION
For both film and television screenplays, you need to revise, revise, and revise. This is key to improving your work, regardless of the medium. Rewrite and proofread, ensuring every word counts. You might even want to join a writer’s group that proofreads and critiques each other’s work.
The least you need to know
· Your set needs to reveal the time and place of your story.
· Action should always advance the plot.
· Verbal sound, or dialogue, is essential to characterization.
· Nonverbal communication often defines people and places.
· Writing for the big or small screen is more visually oriented than writing a play.