Screenwriting is Filmmaking

1. Screenwriting is storytelling: Craft compelling narratives that resonate

Stories give shape to our hopes and fears, our dreams and nightmares, or they can reframe the trivial details of our lives, encouraging us to look at them afresh.

Stories are universal. They are fundamental to human experience, helping us make sense of the world and our place in it. Good screenwriting taps into this universal need for narrative, creating stories that engage, entertain, and enlighten audiences.

Elements of effective storytelling:

• Character: Develop complex, relatable protagonists
• Conflict: Create obstacles and challenges for your characters
• Structure: Organize your story with a clear beginning, middle, and end
• Theme: Explore universal ideas that resonate with audiences
• Emotion: Evoke feelings that connect viewers to your characters and story

To craft compelling narratives, draw from your own experiences, observations, and imagination. Focus on creating stories that explore the human condition, addressing universal themes such as love, loss, identity, and redemption.

2. Creativity fuels screenwriting: Nurture your imagination and unique voice

To be creative demands a kind of courage because the risk is that what we have to say or show will be mocked or ridiculed: our internal critic reminds us constantly that what we are doing is not worthy and that we are not good enough.

Embrace your creative process. Screenwriting is an art form that requires both imagination and discipline. Develop habits and routines that nurture your creativity while also honing your craft.

Strategies for nurturing creativity:

• Keep a journal or idea book
• Practice free writing and brainstorming
• Observe and analyze the world around you
• Read widely across genres and mediums
• Experiment with different writing styles and techniques
• Collaborate with other creatives
• Embrace failure as a learning opportunity

Remember that creativity is a skill that can be developed over time. Don't be afraid to take risks and explore unconventional ideas. Your unique voice and perspective are what will set your screenplays apart in a crowded marketplace.

3. Understand cinematic language: Write visually for the screen

Screenwriting is a very particular kind of writing informed by the language of cinema, which uses images and sounds, time, sequences, dialogue and music to express thoughts that cannot be expressed any other way.

Think in images and sounds. Unlike other forms of writing, screenplays must convey information visually and aurally. Learn to "show, don't tell" by using action, imagery, and sound to communicate your story.

Key elements of cinematic language:

• Visual storytelling: Use descriptive action and imagery
• Sound design: Incorporate diegetic and non-diegetic sounds
• Montage and editing: Consider how scenes flow and transition
• Camera angles and movement: Suggest visual perspectives
• Mise-en-scène: Describe settings, costumes, and props that contribute to the story

Study films and screenplays to understand how experienced writers and directors use these elements to tell their stories. Practice translating your ideas into visual and aural sequences that will engage and immerse your audience in the world of your screenplay.

4. Character development drives plot: Create complex, relatable protagonists

Character desire will drive the story and shape the audience experience.

Characters are the heart of your story. Develop protagonists with clear goals, motivations, and conflicts that will drive the narrative forward and engage your audience emotionally.

Key aspects of character development:

• Backstory: Create a rich history for your characters
• Goals and motivations: Give your characters clear objectives
• Flaws and weaknesses: Make your characters human and relatable
• Relationships: Develop dynamic interactions between characters
• Character arc: Show how your characters grow and change throughout the story

Focus on creating multidimensional characters with both internal and external conflicts. Allow your characters' choices and actions to shape the plot, rather than forcing them into predetermined story beats. This organic approach will result in more authentic and engaging narratives.

5. Structure your screenplay: Balance classical and alternative approaches

Every story has its own rhythm and structure, and this is something to be discovered rather than imposed.

Find the right structure for your story. While classical three-act structure provides a solid foundation for many screenplays, don't be afraid to explore alternative approaches that may better suit your narrative.

Structural considerations:

• Three-act structure: Setup, confrontation, resolution
• Alternative structures: Non-linear, episodic, parallel storylines
• Plot points and turning points: Key moments that drive the story forward
• Pacing and rhythm: Balancing tension and release throughout the narrative
• Theme and motifs: Recurring ideas that unify the story

Experiment with different structural approaches to find the one that best serves your story and characters. Remember that structure should enhance, not constrain, your narrative. Be willing to adapt and revise your structure as your screenplay develops.

6. Master scene writing and dialogue: Show, don't tell

Drama is an intensification of the everyday – a way of drawing attention to events that we have witnessed or have been involved in.

Craft powerful scenes and dialogue. Each scene should move the story forward, reveal character, and engage the audience emotionally. Dialogue should be purposeful, revealing character and advancing the plot.

Tips for effective scene writing and dialogue:

• Begin scenes late and end them early
• Use subtext to create depth and complexity
• Balance action and dialogue
• Avoid on-the-nose dialogue; let characters speak indirectly
• Use silence and non-verbal communication
• Create conflict and tension within scenes
• Reveal character through action and choice

Practice writing and rewriting scenes, focusing on creating dramatic tension and revealing character through action and dialogue. Read your scenes aloud or have others perform them to get a sense of how they flow and sound.

7. Develop your screenplay: From concept to final draft

Most writing is rewriting but also rethinking, re-conceptualizing and looking at your material anew.

Embrace the development process. Writing a screenplay is an iterative process that involves multiple stages of development, from initial concept to final draft.

Stages of screenplay development:

1. Concept and research
2. Outline and treatment
3. First draft
4. Revisions and rewrites
5. Feedback and notes
6. Final polish

Be prepared to revise and rewrite your screenplay multiple times. Each draft is an opportunity to refine your story, deepen your characters, and improve your craft. Seek feedback from trusted readers and be open to constructive criticism.

8. Collaborate in the film-making process: Screenwriting is a team effort

Screenwriting is film-making.

Understand your role in the larger film-making process. While the screenplay is the foundation of a film, it is only one part of a collaborative effort involving many creative professionals.

Key collaborators in the film-making process:

• Directors
• Producers
• Actors
• Cinematographers
• Editors
• Sound designers
• Production designers

Develop skills in pitching your ideas, taking notes, and working with others to bring your screenplay to life. Be open to feedback and suggestions from other professionals, while still maintaining the core vision of your story. Remember that the ultimate goal is to create the best possible film, which often requires flexibility and compromise.

Last updated: August 10, 2024