If you’re having trouble breaking out of traditional script ideas, use these strategiesto help you add interest to your screenplay: Make your concept or story more interesting:
Characters: Know a bit about your main characters.ġ1.
Story: While you won’t have every scene yet, you should know the basic high and low points of the screenplay.
Concept: This should be a clear central tenet that you can summarize in your logline.
Brainstorming : Gather potential ideas to use in your script.
Create a story world:Įstablishing the world in which your story exists is vital for writing an authentic and believable screenplay. This one- or two-sentence summary should clearly capture the main ideas in your script. Write a logline that summarizes your idea: This could be a person, idea, or event that keeps your protagonist from easily achieving their goal. The protagonist should have a central goal they want to achieve throughout the screenplay. Use your theme and genre to help guide your setting choices. You can also combine film genres to make something unique. Identify a conflict or theme central to your story:Ĭonsider events happening in the world around you or unifying concepts you’d like to explore as inspiration.
Track technical notes, like action and subheadings.Ĥ.
You’ll see what’s effective and can put that to work in your screenplay.
Reading about any topics, ideas, or locations to better educate yourself before you start writing.
Staying updated on current events and using them to inform the themes and messages of your work.
Using your family, friends, missteps, and achievements as inspiration for characters.
Using unique elements and making unusual choices in your story.
Writing Great Screenplays for Film and Tv by Dona Cooperįind ways to make your work stand out from other screenplays by:.
Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style by Christopher Riley.
The Screenwriter’s Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script by David Trottier.
Celtx script writing for tv tutorial series#
Writing the TV Drama Series by Pamela Douglas.
Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds by Michael Hauge.
The TV Writer’s Workbook by Ellen Sandler.
The Coffee Break Screenwriter by Pilar Alessandra.
Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field.
Consider reading these highly valuable screenwriting guides to help you hone your writing skills. Learn as much as you can about the art of screenwriting from professionals.
Look at sample scripts: Sample 1, Sample 2, and Sample 3 (film overview).
Write an outline of someone else’s movie.
List and watch 20 movies you wish you’d written.
Art is all about imitation, so use these tips to help you get inspired.