Screenplays

1. 58

   karthuposted 15 years ago

   I'm really interested in screenplays.Can anyone give me some tips for writing screenplays effectively?

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2. 60

   knolyourselfposted 15 years ago

   Seems to me one has to first be able to write good dialog. Create characters and dialog and after that fill
   in the background. Certainly examples of screen plays can be found easily on the net, if one is solely interested in the methodology of it.

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3. 66

   elisabeth reidposted 15 years ago

   If you want to write an effective screenplay, the best advice I can give you is to read as many of them as you can.  Particularly those that you like...pay attention to the way it's crafted...the smallest detail.  Dissect them and then read them again.

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4. 58

   karthuposted 15 years ago

   Thanks for giving the tips.
   To be honest I'm now really trying to read more screenplays than seeing the movies. before watching the movie I try to read the screenplay and try to visualize the scenes. When i watch the movie i compare the scenes with those scenes in my imagination.
   It is great......

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   1. 80

      ProCWposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      karthu,
      
      your best way to create a phenomenal screenplay is simply to outline what you visualize and then sub-outline to the smallest detail. don't try to duplicate another screenwriter's method. upon equating your outline to your scenes and their orders, go within each scene and fine-tune your (well in theatre they are known as french scenes) sub-scenes. like so.
      
      1
      2
      3
      4
      5
      
      into
      
      1a
      1b
      1c
      1d
      2a
      2b
      3a
      3b
      3c
      4a
      4b
      5a
      5b
      5c
      5d
      
      after doing that, break it down even more. like so.
      
      1a-1
      1a-2
      1a-3
      1b-1
      etc., etc.
      
      good luck and much success!

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5. 61

   Pashunposted 15 years ago

   Something I learned was to start off small and work your way up, meaning start with 1 act plays.  That way you can practice developing your characters and message within a tight time frame.  And once you're comfortable with that, ProCW's advice is the way to go.

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6. 60

   cjcsposted 15 years ago

   I've written dozens of scripts, read many times more than that, and have picked the brains of some marvelously talented screenwriters over the years.  From what I've gleaned, these are the keys to writing a good screenplay (I would have pointed you to a hub, but I haven't finished it yet):
   
   1. Have compelling characters
   2. Have a solid and well-structured plot
   3. Write visually and sparsely.
   4. Don't tell the director how to direct
   5. Don't tell the actors how to act
   6. Type it in the accepted format
   7. Make sure it is between 90 and 120 pages long for a feature-length script.
   
   Clearly the first two are applicable to every form of narrative writing, and they are certainly the most important here as well.
   
   And remember, a screenplay is a short story, not a novel...don't try to cram in too much.
   
   CJ

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7. 58

   karthuposted 15 years ago

   Thank you very much......................

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8. 68

   Pete Michnerposted 15 years ago

   You can see scripts of actual movies that have gotten made at http://www.dailyscript.com/movie.html. This would probably help screenwriters see examples of stuff producers accepted. Good luck!
   P.S. Here's an idea I thought of for a new comedy: A sumo wrestler signs on with the Seattle Mariners. The title: Heavy Hitter

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9. 72

   thranaxposted 15 years ago

   Just don't go turning it into a novel and the advice given already should work greatly

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10. 77

    Shadesbreathposted 15 years ago

    Assuming you're still checking this thread, I'd add: Get the software for screenplays called Final Draft.  Read a book called Inside Story, by Dara Marks.  Trust the director and actors in advance when you're writing descriptive stuff/set etc. and keep it simple; they'll know what to do.  Stay under 110 pages or so. 
    
    Seriously, read Dara Marks' book.  She's an incredible script doctor and knows what scripts are about.  Closest thing to paint by numbers I've ever seen, a left brained tool for the right brained writer.

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