1. Become the best writer you can be
Just like you weren't born running, you weren't born a screenwriter. You may have been born with oodles of talent, a gift for storytelling, a unique way of seeing the world that you can translate well to others but (and please take this to heart) there is always more to learn about the art of screenwriting. The better you accept this and put it into practice, the better your chances of having screenwriting success. I hear you shining now, "But I'm a starving writer, I can't afford film school!" okay, then here are some great places to learn more about your chosen craft:
Books
There are nearly as many books on screenwriting as there are screenwriters but if you haven’t read these yet, be sure to add them to your reading list:
The Screenwriter's Bible by Dave Trottier - Considered by many to be the, well Bible of screenwriting. From formatting to structure and everything in between, this is a great place to start and a good book to keep handy moving forward. Dave also has lots of tips and offers screenwriting classes on his website.
Your Screenplay Sucks!: 100 Ways to Make It Great by William M. Akers - simple, straight forward tips on how to turn your script into something someone would actually want to read.
Ten Simple F*ckingRules for Writing a Great F*cking Screenplay by Dwayne Alexander Smith - OK, don't get this book if you are offended by blunt talk and foul language but this book, written by an actual working screenwriter tells it like it is.
Screenplay by Syd Field - Mr. Field is considered to be the godfather of screenwriting and, while this book has been around a long time (it was first published in 1979), it is still required reading in many film schools.
Screenplay by Syd Field - Mr. Field is considered to be the godfather of screenwriting and, while this book has been around a long time (it was first published in 1979), it is still required reading in many film schools.
Workshops
You don’t have to live in Hollywood to have access to some amazing workshops that will help elevate your writing, no matter what level you're at. Take a look at these online screenwriting workshops:
ScreenwritingU – Hal Croasmun offers free webinars as well as advanced online screenwriting classes.
The Writer’s Store – A collection of free and paid screenwriting workshops on many different aspects of the art and business.
Gotham Writers' Workshop - Offering both online and live classes, GWW has workshops for both beginner and advanced screenwriters.
ScreenwritingU – Hal Croasmun offers free webinars as well as advanced online screenwriting classes.
The Writer’s Store – A collection of free and paid screenwriting workshops on many different aspects of the art and business.
Gotham Writers' Workshop - Offering both online and live classes, GWW has workshops for both beginner and advanced screenwriters.
Get a coach
A script coach can work with you in a more intimate one on one way to elevate not only your script but your writing skills as well. There are several different types of script coaches so it's important that you find one with a method that works for you.
Network
Surround yourself, both in the real world or the virtual world, with other screenwriters. Facebook has some really worthwhile screenwriting groups where people from all over the world come together to bounce ideas off of each other, learn from each other, and support each other through the dark times.
Read a lot of screenplays!
Immerse yourself in the world of screenwriting by reading every script you can get your hand on. Check out IMSDb.com and Scriptorama.com for free downloadable screenplays. *Note: many of these scripts will be shooting scripts, which will be formatted differently than your spec script. Read them anyway to learn what makes a great script great.
Final Draft - Used by the pros, considered to be the industry standard.
Movie Magic Screenwriter - Slightly more affordable the Final Draft with pretty much the same features.
Celtx - "But I'm a starving writer, I can't afford screenwriting software." Your whining again. This one is FREE.
2.Make your script the best it can be.
Being a great storyteller is essential to being a successful screenwriter, but in an industry that is nearly impossible to break into and "stories" cost millions of dollars to make, being a great storyteller will only get you so far.Learn correct screenwriting format!
No matter how great your story is, if you don’t know formatting, you will be fighting an uphill battle to ever get your script taken seriously if you don’t follow the golden rules of formatting. Some screenwriting conspiracy theorists will tell you that the formatting rules are changed often and without notice as a way to weed out the amateurs. Whether that's true or not, the rules do change so make sure whatever formatting guide you are following is current!Use screenwriting software.
Seriously, just do it. You will make yourself miserable, and distract yourself from the story you are working to tell, if you try to beat Microsoft Word into submission. Screenwriting Software makes formatting a dream and lets you focus on your story.Final Draft - Used by the pros, considered to be the industry standard.
Movie Magic Screenwriter - Slightly more affordable the Final Draft with pretty much the same features.
Celtx - "But I'm a starving writer, I can't afford screenwriting software." Your whining again. This one is FREE.
Develop compelling, bankable characters.
Your screenplay should be full of characters that actors will fight each other for the chance to play. This means they are multidimensional and it shows in every action and every line of dialogue.
Write kicka$$ dialogue!
Learn the art of subtext and make every line count. Listen to your favorite movies with your eyes closed. Does the dialogue make you want to fall asleep or can you see the story play out in your mind?
3. Get feedback
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a screenwriter is to send your script out into the world before it is ready and one of the best ways you can be sure it is ready is to get feedback. Note: Your mom and your best friend are not reliable sources of feedback! You need experienced, unbiased eyes on your script that can point out what’s good and what could be even better.
Peer feedback
This is where your network of screenwriters comes in handy. Find a few fellow screenwriters that you trust and offer to exchange feedback and be open to their suggestions. That doesn’t mean you have to heed every note, but don’t use this as a way to get your ego stroked either. We all love hearing how great our work is, but the more open you are to improving your screenplay, the more your screenplay will improve.
Professional feedback
There are a lot of professional screenwriters and studio readers who supplement their income by offering script consultations. Make sure that whichever consultant you hire has decent resume and a good reputation by asking around for recommendations and checking their resume. Here are a couple to check out:
Another way to get feedback and notes on your script is by entering screenplay contests that offer feedback. Actually, it's one of the best reasons to enter competitions in the first place.
4. Get Good in a Room
OK, so you've done your homework, written a great screenplay with bankable characters and dialogue that rocks using correct format and gotten feedback before writing that final draft. Now what?
No matter how amazing your story, how perfect your script, if you can’t pitch it you’ll never get it read. Knowing how to pitch a screenplay is an art in and of its self and is a huge challenge for many writers who prefer the company of their keyboard to that of other humans. The good news is that you can get good at selling yourself and your screenplay, in fact you can get so dang good at it that people are begging you to read your script, but it takes practice.Know your story so well that you can tell it in a single intriguing sentence.
This is known as your Logline: one sentence that so encompasses the biggest hook of your story that the listener can't help but be drawn in. What is your story about, without all the distracting details. This is no easy feat, by the way. How do you take 120 page screenplay with all the juicy dialogue and exciting action and boil it down to a single sentence? Practice. From here you can develop your 30 second "elevator pitch" and your one minute meeting pitch. Writer, know thy story!
Pitch to anyone, anywhere.
The more you talk about your story, the better you will get to know it. You will be able to read your audience and know when you've got them hooked and when they're starting to think about their grocery list. Besides, the person you pitch to might not be able to get you a meeting with a producer, but you never know! More importantly, the more you pitch, the easier it’ll get.
Write a great query letter.
This is basically your pitch via email or snail-mail (but seriously, who reads snail-mail anymore?) and is a vital tool to have in your screenwriter’s toolbox. Your query letter should be more than a synopsis, but is another way to show that you are a good writer. It should have the same tone as your script and have the reader begging to read your screenplay because. This is another one of those things that takes practice and don't be afraid to ask your fellow writers for feedback. Check out this article for some great query letter do's and dont's.
5. Keep writing
Now that you have a script that you can be proud of, pat yourself on the back, do a little happy dance, pour yourself a glass of champagne to celebrate and then… write another screenplay. Once you do get that meeting with a producer, you’ll want to have more than one script in your stable to wow him with.Writers write, so write!
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