Welcome
To kick things off, we will address some of the key issues and do's and don'ts of writing screenplays. Below is a list of topics that we hope will spark some questions about problems you may be having with writing your scripts. If you should have questions and concerns about book writing, please email us about this, too.
Make Every Scene Count
Every scene must serve more than one purpose.
Every scene must move the plot forward.
Every scene must further the protagonist’s goal.
Just as every story has a beginning, middle and an end, so must each scene.
Show, don’t tell
Write the script like a Haiku (make every word count)
The protagonist must act, not be acted upon.
The protagonist must have a clear goal.
The protagonist must be sympathetic.
The story should be unique, not derivative.
Everything that is set up must be paid off. Everything that is paid off must be set up.
Handling exposition - "as you know" information
Three act structure
Know your audience
Stay on the spine
Raise the stakes
Professional format
Come in late; leave early
posted by Diana Osberg and Jay Speyerer at 9:38 AM
3 Comments:
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1:02 PM
Great, concise list. More power to you Diana for sharing your thoughts. As a writer of more scripts than I care to admit, it's always helpful to revisit a competent primer. As a devout audience member, I hope the right people are also reading.
Writer's Cramped Carol
8:10 AM
Hi, Jen. Jay here.
Thanks for the comment. Sorry the response took so long.
The three-act structure seems a natural form to me because of the time-tested three-part structure of stories in general: beginning, middle, and end. Of course if you read enough writing books, you'll come across templates for 5- and 7-act constructions as well. But those seem to be dictated by the needs of network TV to allow for commercials.
You use the term 'necessity,' and I think you're right to do so. The audience expects things to happen traditionally, i.e. set up the problem, problem gets worse, solve the problem. You violate those expectations at your peril, mainly because of people's housefly-like attention spans. That's why they need to be constantly surprised, but I believe those surprises can come within the traditional structure.
Jen, Diana, anyone else -- What do you think?
9:02 AM
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