Screenwriting : New script writer by Maximilian Ellsberry

If you are the type of person who wants to read and study before actually putting your butt in the chair and writing there are dozens of books about screenwriting you can read. There are hundreds of websites you can read. Some people prefer to start that way. My personal advice is put your butt in the chair and write. Write three to five pages every day - no days off. Read screenplays. Software will take care of format but a quick web search (screenplay format) will get you started.

Thanks i ill give it a go

You got to write. I wrote my first short film in December and I've just finished my 3rd last week and started my 4th yesterday. Every short I finish becomes my favorite which means im progressing. If you want to learn you need to make mistakes and that means writing.

Join a screenwriters group.

Thanks and I will look for a group. Hey Christian Banks, how did you make your short films.

Many have formed writing groups right here on the site simply by making a post in this section.

Read plenty of scripts. Familiarize yourself with the layout and format of a spec script before you start to write. Download some free script formatting software, like Celtx https://www.celtx.com/index.html or Trelby http://www.trelby.org/ Start with shorts. Write out your ideas in simple paragraphs and test them with friends. Learn how to outline, before you write.

Great post, Leon. Fantastic. Couldn't agree more.

Watch a lot of movies and read a lot of scripts.

Thank you

D Marcus makes a critical point here, a lot of it comes down to analysing yourself and what motivates and brings out the best in you. If you are the type of person who likes to learn before trying something, then by all means read scripts, watch movies and plough through books. However this may bring about a degree of expectation in your writing that some can find paralysing, and the learning may not be as effective without your own work to reflect on. Leon touches on a great point, enjoy it and embrace your own style, take guidance from those who give it but look at that guidance objectively. Imagine it like cooking a meal you really enjoy, you already know what goes into it, you already know how you like it. If you read a recipe it may seem very daunting, maybe too much so, the picture of the finished product may seem too high a standard to reach and may mutate your expectations. If you ask others for opinions on how they cook, they are most likely going to have a lot of personal techniques and preferences, some will have very strict rules they follow. If you ask them how they like the meal, they'll all likely have different tastes. The important thing to do is cook it for yourself and hope others like it too.

Write. Write. Write. Buy a screenwriting book. And watch/study 500 movies.

Read a lot of scripts - award winning scripts.

Read, read, read, read, read, and read some more. Scripts, I mean. And, for the sake of this site, complete your profile by adding your location and a profession. Will improve your networking power.

Look at what you enjoy in films and TV and analyze those scripts. Why do you enjoy them? Reoccuring themes? Characters motiffs? Stuff like that. The most important thing for any writer to remember is to "write what you know." This is especially true when it comes to writing emotionally driven stuff. Take a look at your own life and draw from your experiences as a place to build real and believable charactes. After all that sit down and write. Personally I have to have a title and an outline before I do anything. Outline your work, the major plot points and character changes you want to cover. Then write. One of the best ways to create a compelling story is also to look at your characters as if they are on a journey, that by the end of the script your lead character should not be the same person they were on page one. They have to grow and change and thus the reader changes with them. Balance dialogue with action, can't have too much of either, aaaaaaand lastly, write something you want to see. Something you'd enjoy. If your own script bores you it will bore others. Good luck and have fun!

Im a good story teller, with loads of stories, but its hard to do script writing. Im going to have to also study it like Maximilium. Loving all these comments which have invaluable links and an abundance of information. Thanks

If you'd like to learn more about screenwriting, check out my blog at www.StoryIntoScreenplay.com or e-mail me at StoryIntoScreenplayBlog@gmail.com. Good Luck!

There's a guy named Michael Rogan who does a very useful blog called 'ScriptBully'. Check it out.

http://www.screencraft.org/blog/download-70-screenplays-legally-free/

Just sit down in front of the keyboard and open up a vein.

But don't expect to write as well as Dorothy Parker.

Why not, Richard? Shouldn't all writers expect to write as well as the best? And shouldn't we all expect to reach those expectations?

Let's not forget that screenwriting is a craft. Write, Max, write. With plenty of practice you can be that good.

www.gotanideaforamovie.com

What do I do with my first script once I am done with it?

The chances are your first script will be the foundation of much better writing. So once you are done with your first script you will put it away and write your second. Not the answer you want, is it? Okay... Once you are finished with your first script you will send query letters to production companies and agents asking them to read it.

You can start in so many ways. If you haven't already done this, I'd recommend reading a lot of scripts, especially for movies you've seen, so you can compare page with screen. If you can find the shooting scripts and compare those with the earlier drafts even better.

There are five errors in your post of just over one line. Bad spelling and punctuation give a poor first impression and will put people off reading your scripts.

I like working with beginners easing from their particular starting point & then developing characters, story, & scenes. Personalized, confidential, & ongoing. www.screenwriterhelp.com

We are all tolerant of a typo, such as 'teh' in place of 'the' because it is simply a mistake. As a writer, however, you must KNOW that NO is not the correct word in your post. Spell check cannot be relied upon as a replacement for knowledge. As to the HOW of starting, writers write. Write daily. I had three (bad) ideas for TV shows in the last 12 hours and it is 10 a.m. I have four or five story lines in development currently, and I do not consider myself primarily a screenwriter.

I tend to agree with Lyse who posted a while back. Writing is not a game for the faint of heart - especially screenwriting. It is not like doing short stories or a novel - it is a very specific talent - a story told (written) not so much to be read as to be SEEN. The format of a screenplay is easy to pick up - just read a few. But having a good idea can NOT be taught. Only after your words are committed to paper can you be judged and critiqued and molded and steered into making it better. But like Lyse wrote - if you're looking at this as a "hobby" - my advice would be - don't bother. Writing is not a hobby. It's a compulsion. If you want a hobby - take up stamp or coin collecting. Or enter a fantasy sports league.

Start with what you know, do additional research, set the plot outline, research each character and start the script, then go through a number of rewrites, write your log line and get that killer title and be ready for all of the rejection letters, be persistent and see it through.

I completely understand with what you guys are saying Michael E but I'm not in the appropriate position to be able to dedicate a large mass of my time. Michael C I also concur with your statement about typos it was my first post and I was just so eager to send it out without proof reading.

Hi Max. I suggest going on the internet and researching formats and reading scripts. They are easily available from several companies. A quick search will find them. Then get a copy of Final Draft. It makes the formatting a cinch. Example: http://scribemeetsworld.com/category/plot-points. Goodluck

Hey Maximilian, I'm a self-taught writer and the best books that helped me in the beginning were "Invisible Ink, A Practical Guide to Building Stories That Resonate" by Brian McDonald, "How Not to Write A Screenplay" by Denny Martin Flynn and "The Screenwriter's Bible" by David Trottier. The first book, "Invisible Ink" helps you think about why you wish to write. What are you hoping to say? What is the underlining message in your script? The second, "How Not to Write A Screenplay" saves you from yourself with all your stupid beginner mistakes. The third, "Screenwriter's Bible" gives you clear guidelines for current formatting and helps you problem solve confusing elements in a script. Now, you mentioned that you do not have a whole lot of time right now, hence your use of the noncommittal word H O B B Y, but... read these books whenever you can. They will help you realize if screenwriting is something you really do wish to try. Because, as others have said on this thread, screenwriting is not for the faint of heart. It is damn hard. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. It is a craft. If you decide to jump in, then once you've acquainted yourself, read a ton of scripts. Then read some more. Then write, write, write. Hire a script consultant. And, then write some more! I wish you the best of luck!

Don't rely on spell checking features in your screen writing software. Often words are misspelled for your intent but spelled correctly as a word the spell checker won't catch. Look over your writing with a fine toothed comb, then do it again and again.

Welcome to the second toughest undertaking known to man -- and woman. First, and very important, learn and fully understand the three-act screenplay structure. Second, and even more important, learn proper screenplay format. Third, and of supreme importance, understand a completed first draft screenplay is like a practice run around your concept/storyline -- it is the point where the real work begins. I would add a fourth item to the agenda for any beginning writer, read. There are produced scripts available @ simplyscripts.com -- read and learn. As a mental exercise, locate the turning points, midpoint and associated plot points in those scripts. Any artist can learn from the craft of others. Finally, write. Best of luck in your undertaking.

seriously, look absolutely no further than this site, gives you all the basics and more to get your head around it, free ebook with it check it out www.screenplaywritingfordummies.info

That free ebook is part of one of those "MAKE MONEY ON THE INTERNET" plans. The book (which I got back in 2012 when people flooded filmmaking sites) is poorly written and filled with cliche "advice". Don't take my word for it. Use your "spam" e-mail account and sign up for it.

The only thing worse than no advice is bad advice. D Marcus is correct, this above referenced book is very, very bad advice.

First start with Final Draft...then write what your want to see on the Big Screen or TV.

Interesting. Scriptwriting as a hobby? Does that mean you have no intention of trying to sell what you write? Is your plan just to sit down and write scripts? If you are serious about writing screenplays, then approaching it as a hobby may not be the way to go.

Screenwriting as a hobby? Okay... I doubt it will stay a 'hobby' but my advice would be to start by reading... reading... reading. Read as many screenplays as you can and read some of the books and online tutorials on the ART of screenwriting... Hope that helps and that you enjoy your new 'hobby' to the point where it becomes something far more thana pastime :-)

Jim Fisher I want to take it much farther that a hobby but right now my time is scarce

Just as a point of discussion and absolutely NO reflection on you as a person, Maximilian: Most beginning writers have very little time to write. And we all know the inspiring stories of writers who have carved out an hour or so each day in addition to work, taking care of children, taking care of infirm and sick parents, going to school - sometimes all at once. So "right now my time is scarce" is a convenient reason to not write. Once a writer finds the reasons they CAN write, they write. A writer writes. A writer does not allow anything to get in the way of writing. Even if they can get in that chair for 30 minutes a day, they get in that chair for 30 minutes and they write.

Maximilian, point taken. However. I think that saying your want to get into scriptwriting as a hobby, is misleading and not what you meant. You want to get into screenwriting, and are asking for advice on how to do it with your limited available time.

Pick a story you want to tell and just write. If you want to know how the pros do it, you can et, for free sometimes, scripts on the web. Read those award winning scripts. But again, just do it.

I agree D Marcus I have began writing my first script already and I'm liking the way it is developing I can't write everyday BUT I am constantly piecing together the story in my head and when I feel like I have something I really like I put it in there ASAP.

D Marcus is right of course, getting going is the best way to get your story out, learning the finer points of how it's done along the way works well too... Time management is the trickier bit, just grab whatever time you can every day, even 20 minutes is better than nowt :-)

I just sent in the galleys for my book The Ultimate Writers Workbook for Books and scripts. It should be out in March. Meanwhile, I recommend reading books like Save The Cat and Karl Iglesais Writing For Emotional Impact. Both are available on line or at the Writer's STore in Burbank.

I highly recommend ScriptNurse.com

I also suggest not depending on the spell check feature that comes with your script software to catch every mistake, as sometimes a word may be spelled correctly but be the wrong word for your intent. Start practicing that right now, and with every post or comment you make on the internet, just to get in the habit.

If your job will allow it, get out and attend as many screenwriting conferences as you can.

fist place to start is a tape recorder and then its all about rehashing your words.

me and my spelling. Got to get rid of it all together...

To begin, schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist then one with a good divorce attorney. You'll need both. ;o)

It takes lots and lots and lot of hours writing and re writing in a quite room.

read scripts and learn the format. I use the Final Draft 9 software to format my scripts. It is the industry standard. I also watch film and study them. Watch films that are in the same category that you would like to write. Though use you're own ideas.

Dana - you having a tough day at the keyboard? I have yet to trying writing in a "quite" room. Quiet doesn't work for me either. (Might want to invest in spell check. For a pro reader - typos can be a killer). I prefer music playing while I write. Movie soundtracks work. Songs with lyrics. Whatever. I even have a full set of drums in my office and when the spirit moves me - I stop writing and play them - along with the music. Whatever floats your boat.

Spelling kills yes like crack. But should the ideal be a good one and the simplified mind can indeed understand beyond spelling check. The only issue is the created issue with imagination. I pay little attention to the spelling and greater attention to the broken story line. Yet I do indeed understand back ground noise and how it can be a soothing distraction from writers block. Well thanks for the pointers I will keep it in mind.