Hey guys, I'm 17and I was thinking about writing a screenplay for a movie. The problem is that I have no idea where to start. I have read a few things about the type of format I should use, but it's all just so confusing! I was thinking about a possible career in writing and I just wanted to get more into it, so could someone help me.
I'm new and need direction
- Thread starter AlexF
- Start date
Start by reading screenplays so as to get a sense of their structures and the typical conventions used in writing them, form-wise.
But of course you don't start with format, you start with a story. Hopefully one that you feel strongly about, a story whose theme is clear to you and one where you know your beginning, middle, and end before you start that first draft...
But of course you don't start with format, you start with a story. Hopefully one that you feel strongly about, a story whose theme is clear to you and one where you know your beginning, middle, and end before you start that first draft...
The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egry is also very much worth reading. It's a bit academic in places and it assumes that you are familiar with a number of plays, but it really is useful and worth the effort to absorb.
Save the Cat! is a good read, too. I'm not pimping it as gospel but I think that there is some very good - and well-illustrated - guidance, in there.
Save the Cat! is a good read, too. I'm not pimping it as gospel but I think that there is some very good - and well-illustrated - guidance, in there.
BitMaestro
Well-known member
You're putting the cart before the horse.
First, a writer can't not write. Is that you? Do you literally have to write everyday? If you don't write one day, do you feel incomplete? If so, then...
Second, do you have to tell stories? Maybe you'd prefer journalism? Poetry? etc. If so, then...
Third, is at least one of those stories that you have to tell best told in a visual medium? Maybe it'd be better to write your stories as novels? If so, then... and only then...
start looking into screenwriting - Mark
I would disagree with this as a qualifier. I don't meet this requirement, yet I am a working writer in Hollywood.
There are many days that the last thing I want to do is write.
livmac1966
New member
I agree with HomerS3. Sometimes I can go for a month & not write a damn thing but my passion never leaves me. Life just gets in the way sometimes...
Also, I think a break from writing can give a writer better clarity. To be honest, I think writing every day would drive me crazy!
And yes, I'm a produced writer.
Also, I think a break from writing can give a writer better clarity. To be honest, I think writing every day would drive me crazy!
And yes, I'm a produced writer.
JonathanLB
Carbonite Member
I completely agree with Homer and livmac both.
I've written two non-fiction books, I've written countless film reviews, essays, and now several screenplays. I don't write every day or even close to that. Most days the most writing I ever do is a lot of e-mails for business, maybe a blog entry for my business or a production checklist, some forum posts, things like that. Writing is its own thing. I absolutely love it, but I'm a writer-director so a lot of my time is spent doing things besides writing. I can tell you, though, that probably every day I think about these stories I have rattling around in my head, that will one day become screenplays, and I can't wait to sit down and write them! But now is just not the time. I have to focus on the current project before I go write several more screenplays, each of which will represent a large time commitment not only writing them but then turning them into films!
I've written two non-fiction books, I've written countless film reviews, essays, and now several screenplays. I don't write every day or even close to that. Most days the most writing I ever do is a lot of e-mails for business, maybe a blog entry for my business or a production checklist, some forum posts, things like that. Writing is its own thing. I absolutely love it, but I'm a writer-director so a lot of my time is spent doing things besides writing. I can tell you, though, that probably every day I think about these stories I have rattling around in my head, that will one day become screenplays, and I can't wait to sit down and write them! But now is just not the time. I have to focus on the current project before I go write several more screenplays, each of which will represent a large time commitment not only writing them but then turning them into films!
BitMaestro
Well-known member
OK, my original statement was a bit hyperbolic, but the "my passion never leaves me" thing is what I was getting at. i.e. does AlexF have a passion for writing that never leaves him?
As for:
a couple of things come to mind:
Perhaps you're of the Dorothy Parker "I hate writing, but love having written" mold?
Or perhaps you didn't set out to become a screenwriter when you were 17-years-old? My reasoning is that someone who doesn't have a passion for writing would probably be better off pursuing something that they do have a passion for. Now, if they land a writing gig as a "day job" while pursuing their real passion, more power to 'em (and I'm very envious). But I don't think the best advice is for them to start out pursuing a (screen)writing career.
Of course, if your experience proves otherwise, then I stand corrected - M
As for:
a couple of things come to mind:
Perhaps you're of the Dorothy Parker "I hate writing, but love having written" mold?
Or perhaps you didn't set out to become a screenwriter when you were 17-years-old? My reasoning is that someone who doesn't have a passion for writing would probably be better off pursuing something that they do have a passion for. Now, if they land a writing gig as a "day job" while pursuing their real passion, more power to 'em (and I'm very envious). But I don't think the best advice is for them to start out pursuing a (screen)writing career.
Of course, if your experience proves otherwise, then I stand corrected - M
Randall_Oelerich
Veteran
I'll add a software suggestion -- Contour by Mariner Software. It can guide a beginning writer into developing a concept, turning points, plotline. And the many hit movie examples showing this in the software is worth it alone for a beginning or novice writer.
Nektonic
Veteran
You're damn right. Screenwriting can be very daunting and intimidating for someone just starting out.
I think a lot of the advice others have given is all good stuff, but I'm gonna give you a list of simple recommendations/tasks to get you started. I'm no master samurai with a pen, but I wish THIS is what was available for me when I started my own path towards screenwriting.
1) First of all, download the free screenplay formatting software Celtx. Park the icon on your desktop and then...
2) ... read the book Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. I think this is the simplest and most direct book on structure that is out there. It is also a damn fun read as well.
3) After Save the Cat, buy and read Writing For Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias. This is another quick read that will get you up to snuff on a bunch of nuts and bolts elements of how to write a screenplay.
4) Read a bunch of screenplays, both ones that have been produced and ones that haven't. If you can read one script a day that would be great, but the bottom line is read a lot of scripts to continually learn and hone your understanding of the art and format of a script. And if you can, watch the film for the scripts you read. This way you can see what is actually translated from page to screen and what is not. (for older Hollywood scripts, google Drew's Script-O-Rama and Simply Scripts. For un-produced and newer scripts, check out the blog Script Shadow -- http://scriptshadow.blogspot.com/)
5) Write three short scripts, then a feature screenplay using Celtx. Write about what you want, what moves you, and what gets you excited or angry, etc... and just have fun with the first scripts you write.
After all that you will have a better idea of what areas you are strongest in, which ones you need more work on, and what genres you want to primarily focus on. There are a ton of other good and informative books on screenwriting that you might also read after you've gotten your feet wet so to speak. Come back here, ask for some recommendations, and you'll get an abundance of good screenwriting book and magazine plugs from the forum.
After writing your first few scripts, if you feel you need software that is more comprehensive than Celtx, then there are other programs out there. I'd stick with Celtx at first because it is very simple and to the point as well as free.