Script Writing 6 Tips for Writing a Movie Script that Sells

Script Writing: 6 Tips for Writing a Movie Script that Sells
Film Camera -- Writing a Movie Script that Sells
Categories: Script Writing
Writing a movie script is a task that isn’t for the faint of heart. The world of screenwriting is a notoriously difficult one to break into - and equally difficult to remain active in even when you’ve had your time as the flavor of the month.
Without representation (an agent, a manager or both), your chances of selling a script are very, very low. Just like in the fiction market, rejection is part and parcel of the job for screenwriters.
Not every novelist can capably tackle a screenplay, and not every screenwriter can write novels - but if you’re thinking of translating your story to the screen, here are a few core tips that will ensure your screenplay gets a fair read… either at the producer’s table, or by an agent eager to shop your work to the world.
1. Formatting, Formatting, Formatting
A screenplay is not the same as a stage play. It also isn’t a novel. There are specific rules and expectations for the film script format. Make sure you know them, and stick to them.
There’s no room for “creative” fonts and attempts to break the mold, here. Producers and agents are inundated with scripts every year - disregard for the rules of the craft doesn’t make you stand out… it just makes for an easy excuse to pass on your work.
Dedicated screenwriting software such as Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter and Celtx will make formatting your screenplay incredibly easy. Scrivener also has a script mode that can help you out - and could be ideal if you spend most of your time writing novels with only an occasional dip into screenwriting.
The Alternative: Free Script Writing Software
The price tag for all-singing, all-dancing software can often be eye-watering, though, so for script writing software that’s free you might want to check out Trelby.
That said, if you intend to make a career (or even just a damn good effort) in screenwriting, you owe it to yourself to use the best tools available. You could mess around with Microsoft Word templates, but it’s better to save yourself the headache and use software specifically designed for the job.
It’s just a matter of finding a dedicated one that works for you.
2. Choose Your Genre, And Know It Inside Out
Unless you already have some clout in the filmmaking world, it isn’t a good idea to make your screenplay an exercise in blending or bending genres. There are some exceptions (for example horror-comedy, which has become a genre in its own right) but for the most part, play it safe. Pick a single genre and stick to it.
And when we say stick to it, we mean like glue. Immerse yourself in the best current films within that genre and within your target budget. Watch them over and over again. Read the screenplays as you go and observe how they translate to the screen.
This will help you pick up the kind of story structure, beats and arcs that are looked upon favorably within your chosen genre. Truly study some of the most successful screenplays that you’re hoping to mirror. Pay close attention to the story structure, the descriptive style, whether or not they contain much (if any) physical direction or cinematography notes, and how the characters are introduced and developed.
With the natural economy of words demanded when writing a movie script, there’s a different set of skills and techniques you’ll need to master in order to bring what’s in your head to life for the reader. Unlike when writing a novel, you’re not the director. You don’t get to dig into the finer detail of every shot and scene - and that can be a trying experience for the uninitiated.
Getting to grips with this on a per-genre basis is a very good way to start. This way, you can get a feel for how established screenwriters ramp up tension, describe second-by-second adrenaline-pumping action, or create moody horror and jump scares.
Check out the Internet Movie Script Database for script writing examples and a whole host of freely available screenplays that can help you hone your chops.
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[@conar5239]

dats funny