Introduce Yourself : Looking to learn by Jim Baker

Hello, Jim! The one book that I read that sticks with me is Screenplay - Syd Field. It gets you going. Also, check out the education section of Stage 32: https://www.stage32.com/education/tag/screenwriting Also, check this blog post: https://www.stage32.com/blog/5-Reasons-Why-Your-Scripts-Second-Act-Fails might help you make it to the end of those screenplays :) My advice is to outline like crazy. I really don't start a script until I have the story clearly thought out (but everyone's process is different. And you will find yours). Once I have a well-developed outline, the script flows and it's easier to make changes. Also, read as many screenplays as you can. I'm sure a few more people will chime in with their tips as well. The more the merrier! But whatever you do, just keep writing!

Thank you for all this helpful information! I have actually read the Syd Field Screenplay and found it great! Actually am going to reread it again. I will give the outlining a try, i didnt do that before and kept getting stuck so this sounds like a much better way to do it!

Jim it's very common for screenplays to meet roadblocks at page 30 or so, mainly because it isn't a well-thought out story. An outline can help a lot with that. For me personally, I don't start anything until I have a clear beginning and a definitive ending in my head. The ending may change somewhat as I'm writing, but the basic idea stays the same. When I can solidify those two scenes, I know I've got something.

Jody, I think that is one of my biggest issues, I have what I believe is a good idea for a movie or story, but never can figure out the ending! I have heard before that knowing the ending first is almost best, I have no idea if that is true or not though. Katharina, Thank you! I will order that book!

@Jim I once listened to a podcast where they interviewed the writers of Dallas Buyers Club. One thing that stuck with me is in talking about all the rewrites they did (18 or something like that) they said their ending NEVER changed. They always knew what the ending was.

Jim, check out johnaugust.com. He's Timothy Burton's primary writer and he and his partner Craig Mazin (writer of The Hangover parts II and III) give some honest advice about what it takes to write. It's no BS from two of the highest grossing writers in Hollywood. Hope that helps. And Jody is spot on about the ending... know where you are going to end up.

Jim, I take it your work is particularly character-driven as opposed to scripts that focus on a particular situation. Maybe, it would prove helpful to create a file on each of your main characters-Their wants, hopes, fears, likes, pet peeves, etc, I suggest this because if you find yourself getting stuck, it could possibly be because you don't have a clear enough picture of your characters and the world they inhabit. Picture yourself actually interviewing your characters: Ask them their opinions on the situation. What they'd like to see happen and what they feel is the most challenging/rewarding aspects of what they're going through. I know, it sounds a bit far-fetched, but the clearer you can see the situation, the easier it should be to tell a complete story-Which, brings me to the old chestnut of writing what you know, and keeping things simple. Watching Hitchcock films are great for things like that.

Jeff Goldsmith's podcasts are really valuable. http://www.theqandapodcast.com/ His Michael Arndt podcast is one of my favorites - http://www.podcastchart.com/podcasts/creative-screenwriting-magazine/epi...

Jim, start reading every GOOD script you can get your hands on. There are sites that offer free scripts and there are sites like scriptfly that charge. Find genres that appeal to you and your style and go crazy reading GOOD scripts with like genres.

Hi Jim, there's a lot of good advice here. I would only add to not try to read too much "how-to" material at first -- make sure that you are constantly writing. Make sure that you try to finish your scripts, even if you're not satisfied with them. Then you can go back and apply the things you learn from books & podcasts during your rewrites. As far as books go -- Robert McKee's "Story", and Blake Snyder's "Save The Cat" are easy to follow along with and fun reads. Also, Syd Field's "Screenplay" is considered by many to be the bible of screenwriting books. But make sure to take these books with a grain of salt and not look at them to be gospel. Take what is useful and discard the rest. Happy Writing!

I agree with William, number one is just finish a script. Even if you hate it! Finish it and then you can start the real work of rewriting :-)

Thank you everybody for all your advice! I will take it all in and will start, and finish, my new movie idea! It is pretty awesome that i found this site and have people with the same interest to discuss this with!

I have taken some webinars from the Writer's Store and from Industrial Scripts. They are very helpful. Industrial Scripts helped me the most, as it helped me learn about the art of screenwriting, the business and marketing of screenplays and helped me improve my writings. And welcome!

Hi Jim, Welcome... there's a ton of info here... check out the Education tab above for classes and webinars that come up all the time... Happy that you've joined us. Also the Screenwriting Section threads are full of some wonderful information you may want to partake in.

Hey Jim, I'm a novice screenwriter and I am finding my way through the process of writing my first screenplay. Through my own experience thus far, I have to say that what William and Jody stated earlier really makes sense. There are a lot of great tips to help with writing and outlining is key, but even with outlining, you're still confronted with the same issue of figuring out your story. It's easy to get stuck at any point in the process. My biggest issue is that I want to edit as I go, which really isn't helpful at the initial stages of creating your story and writing that first draft. For me, I realized the only thing to do is to keep writing. This is as much a mental game as it is a creative process. Regardless of how crappy you think it is or if you think the story isn't good enough, just keep writing. From everything I've read, the real action happens in the revising/re-writing process, but you have to have a first draft of something down before you can get to that point. I'm pushing to get my first draft done and then hopefully have some fun revising my script. Good luck to you.