Hi. I'm a literary editor and I'm currently working with a client who has written a short story, at present it's in audio format and is just under 15 minutes long, it's well paced and the whole thing is in VO format as a narration. I am seriously attempting, (for the very first time), to write the story as a screenplay with a view to hopefully getting it made into a movie. I'm hoping I can do this through Stage 32 once I'm happy and confident that I can make a good pitch. Can anyone recommend a really good, definitive source for learning how to write a screenplay? I've seen some books on Amazon, but not sure which would be best. I understand the main principles and how to lay a screenplay out, but I know it's not an easy thing to do and it has to be absolutely right and as professional as possible, so I really do need some guidance. I would very much appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.
Screenwriting : First time screenplay writer - advice by Rosalind Winton
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3 people like this
Two books I strongly recommend are The Screenwriter's Bible and Writing For Emotional Impact.
Thank you CJ, I'll look them up, that great :)
1 person likes this
I second Screenwriters Bible, great book... cant comment on CJs second as I've not read it.
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Hey Rosalind, I've read a lot of screenwriting books, all really good, and right now I'm reading "Coffee break screenwriter", I chose to read this because I was looking for ways to write at moments when I knew I didn't have time, but let me tell you that I think it's the best one so far, I haven't finished it yet but I am really excited I found it... Look it up in amazon.
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I think the best thing a beginner can do is read a stack of screenplays and do what everyone does (but not what only one writer does).
Yeah that's true, but I also find inspiring reading a book on the subject
Thank you everyone, great advice, Anthony, that's brilliant, thanks... William, yes, I shall do that as well, that makes perfect sense too and Rafael, I will certainly take a look at your suggestion too, I need all the help I can get lol.
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It's important to understanding how you learn the most effectively. Some people learn best by imitation, others by reading, and many by being taught. There is no universal best way.
Why not simply commission someone on this site to adapt the story? it will take years to learn to write a screenplay but only a few weeks to have your client's story adapted into a compelling story.
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Read ten screenplays and you will get it.
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Thank you, yes, I will certainly read screenplays to get a good idea of how they work. I could ask someone else to do it for me, but I would really love to learn how to do it myself and give it a go, I'm intrigued by it. I know it is very specialist and there is a lot to learn, but I'd like to give it a go, thank you for all your suggestions.
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Great to be connected