by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Most writers don’t enjoy the luxury of having top talent attached to their project when pitching. We have to rely on other strengths. While there is certain content that every pitch should have, discussed in other articles on this site, writers still must choose where to lean in when pitching. Where you... Continue Reading →
How to Develop a Great Character in 7 Days
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) It’s easy to become impatient when writing a script. Many of us type FADE IN on the first day we have an idea for a story. Granted, there are some writers who actually work successfully that way. But for most of us, writing is a slow, painful process that requires a lot... Continue Reading →
The Silent Treatment: When and Why to Write a Script Treatment
by Ken Aguado (@kaguado) Of all the forms of creative communication in Hollywood, none is more misunderstood than the humble treatment. It’s like the unloved step-child of a script, cursed with a name that sounds like a 19th century medical procedure. Although the word “treatment” is often used in entertainment to mean any kind of short... Continue Reading →
The Opening Scene is the Hero Your Screenplay Deserves
by Tim Long (@ScreenplayStory) In the competitive world of screenwriting, where industry readers judge your script in the first few pages, openings are a vital part of a successful screenplay and film. Not only are they important first impressions of your writing ability, they also serve a variety of narrative purposes that can raise the... Continue Reading →
The Guide Character: Creating Someone to Lead Your Protagonist
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) Characters most effectively develop as a result of interacting with other characters. A standard trope in storytelling is that our protagonist will not figure out solutions to their conflicts on their own. They need experiences that will teach them what works and what doesn’t. They need training that will prepare them for... Continue Reading →
3 Simple Steps to a Better Logline
by Angela Bourassa As head judge of the LA Screenwriter Logline Competition, I read a lot of loglines. Like, a LOT a lot. And I always come across the same problems. There are the loglines that are way too long, the loglines with typos (it’s just one sentence, people – proofread it), the loglines that... Continue Reading →
26 Steps to Crafting a Spec Screenplay - Part II
by Fin Wheeler Made a New Year’s resolution to get more serious about the way you write? Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting a spec screenplay like a professional. (Read Part I here.) Step 17: Read Your First Draft Twice Now that you’ve had a break, it’s time to read the entire screenplay in one sitting. Then... Continue Reading →
26 Steps to Crafting A Spec Screenplay - Part I
by Fin Wheeler Made a New Year’s resolution to get more serious about the way you write? Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting a spec screenplay like a professional. Step 1: Idea On every paid gig you’ll have to write from someone else’s idea. So, when it comes to your original projects, don’t waste your precious spec-writing... Continue Reading →
WHO CARES? 4 Ways to Raise the Stakes in Your Story
by John Bucher (@johnkbucher) What causes an audience to care? Many writers have a difficult time being honest about what’s really at risk in their stories. But it is risk that audiences truly care about. When the stakes in a story are too low, people become unsympathetic to the protagonist on the journey. External goals should... Continue Reading →
How to Write a Compelling Logline
Noam Kroll of IndieWire recently wrote an excellent article on the art of writing a logline. The logline is a one to two sentence description of your film that you will use to pitch your story idea to agents, managers, and producers. The logline is also an essential tool in developing your story. Here's what... Continue Reading →