Screenwriting : Need tips for my script. by Angela Houston

My main advice for your first draft would be don't worry too much about format or story line on, just pound out around 100 pages of writing in general screenplay format with what you would love to see in your movie. ( you might want to make outline of story if that helps with writing, but again go with your heart on first draft 100%) Once you have that then you have something to work with in terms of shaping format and script. I would recommend Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier as a great one to use to shape those first drafts, or "Your screenplay sucks" Both of these helped me tremendously with taking my first draft and making it into something workable. I personally believe its all about revision, but you can't revise if you don't have anything to work with in the first place, and you won't get anything to work with in the first place if you put too much pressure on that first draft. But if you're 6 months into it and already have that first draft, check out those books, read some, revise some and repeat again and again, then have others read, then get professional consultation. William Martell 's blue books are are also great to put additional polish on it. Best wishes!

Angela I am so proud of you! I have a 16 year old son and he is starting to write screenplays too! First I can say to get The Screenwriters Bible and study it just like it is "The Bible" LOL. Also about the story line, my advice is to "write what you know!" You should take advantage of your age and your motivation to write now because a lot of older writers like me wish they had your 16 year old brain to know about what teenagers are currently going through, from the direct source. If you write about high school, relationships, current events, thoughts and situations YOU specifically are living right now, your perspective will be honest, real and completely authentic. Then everyone will want to see your work and your point of view! Good luck and best to you!

I have to echo Dawn. Screenwriters Bible. It will help with a number of things. But I would also recommend The Anatomy of Story: 22 Stemps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby. Then, as Pete said, just pound out a first draft with the knowledge that there will be revision fest to follow. Just make sure to write! Rock on.

My tips are not about reading books (which can be good). BUT... Read scripts to learn both format and storyline. Check out Bluecat Screenplay Competition (http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com/) They have samples in their newsletter to download and read every week. Here's the Coen Bros' A Serious Man: http://www.screenplaydb.com/film/scripts/A_Serious_Man_Screenplay.pdf?ut... As for storyline, you should have known that before you started writing the first draft. Even if it's as simple as writing out the logline, or main premise, or even as simple as what is the hero's goal and what's the outcome. You can follow any number of methods for structure. My favorite is the beat sheet. But I also try to simplify what the story is about, distilling it down to one word or thought (e.g. acceptance, transformation, etc.) Then I can always use that to know what my characters' motivations are within a scene and the film as a whole. I could keep going, but hope that helps. Best of luck. And keep writing. Darren

I definitely agree with Darren: Reading other scripts and watching the corresponding films to see how certain elements are explained and listed on the script page is the most helpful way to learn the craft. Also, using software designed specifically for screenwriting (FinalDraft is the best, Moviemagic is solid, and CeltX is FREE) will make everything so much more simple and efficient for formatting. As far as developing a story, it's always a good idea to start with some sort of outline, summary, etc. - anything that helps you focus on what you're trying to say and the type of tale you're hoping to tell. There's no right or wrong way as long as it helps you develop your characters, their motivations, and the conflicts that will serve the plot. Conflict is the lifeblood of good storytelling and can come in all forms - someone evading brain-hungry zombies, a political debate, or something as simple as trying to cross a busy street. How your characters react to conflict and obstacles - caused by their own flaws, weaknesses, and outside forces - will create their story arcs and make your script dynamic. If I had to suggest a book focused on narrative forms and structure it would be "Story" by Robert McKee, which is lovingly debated throughout the Oscar-nominated script/film "Adaptation." The best of luck to you!

Read screenplays for some of your favorite movies. You want to think in screenplay. Organize your thoughts on the story with a simple beat sheet outline. Make a list of all of the scenes and ideas you have and then organize them into a "This happens and then this happens and then this happens" list. The great thing about organizing the story with a simple outline is that you can cross things out and change the order until it works... while it's still only a page or two. So much easier than doing that when you have 100 pages and you are crossing out 50 of them! This will also help you figure out your storyline and try to solve story problems in advance.

Angela, you simply MUST read "The Screenwriter's Workbook" by Syd Field. If you read it and do all the exercises at the end of each chapter, you will have a full script by the time you are done. i can't recommend it enough! good luck!!

First, I am a fan of Celtx. So much so I pay for the pro version. But I started with the free version just to make formatting easy. I do want to point out that I have not seen a bad suggestion here. But it is important that you find out what works for YOU. How to put your unique voice into a script. Because a script is still just a story. A story that has a specific format. You can learn about formatting, story structure, and how scripts translate to screen. None of that gets the essence of your story on the page. So find what works for you.

Angela, congratulations on starting out as a screenwriter at 16. So exciting, your journey ahead. I think The Screenwriter's Bible is a great resource for beginners.