Question 1

How do you write in script format?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

The great thing about writing screenplays today is that you can choose from a wide variety of screenwriting software programs that largely take the guesswork out of formatting for you.
But understanding how all of those script format elements work together is still key when writing your screenplay! So let’s go through some of the basics for writing in screenplay format:

Select your preferred screenwriting software.
Create a title page for your screenplay.
As you begin writing your screenplay, create a scene heading for each new scene.
Keep your action lines concise. As the term implies, limit it mostly to action happening in a scene. Refrain from explaining the emotional state of characters or providing exposition that should be conveyed through dialogue.
Create unique character names for each figure in the screenplay to differentiate them from each other.
Be tough on your dialogue. Cut anything that does not inform the character or move forward the plot.
The dialogue should almost always provide enough insight into how the Actor should speak it. Use sparingly parentheticals to elaborate on dialogue delivery.
Refrain from including camera direction in your screenplay. Leave that to the camera crew!
Likewise, the inclusion of too many transitions in a script can be distracting. For instance, it is not necessary to include “CUT TO” from one scene to the next. In most cases, “FADE IN” to begin your script and “FADE OUT” to conclude it will suffice.
Stick with traditional formatting elements such as 12-point Courier font size. Veering away from these conventions can again be distracting for someone else reading your script. Never take away the focus from the story you are trying to tell.

Question 2

What is a sample script?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

A sample script, commonly referred to as a spec script, is a screenplay that’s written without any contract in place for the Screenwriter to get paid for it.
A spec is simply a story that the Screenwriter wants to tell. It’s possible that their script may one day get optioned or outright bought, but at the time that they write it, there is no assignment or agreement that they will get compensated for it.
So why are spec scripts sometimes called sample scripts? Because that’s often the purpose they serve. Even if a spec script is never optioned or sold, it can be used as a sample of the Screenwriter’s work to help them get representation or even a gig for a different project.
A Screenwriter must have samples of their work for Managers, Agents, Producers, Executives, and even other Screenwriters to read. Without a sample script – and in many cases, it’s recommended to have several on hand – no one will be willing to take a chance on representing, working with, or hiring a Screenwriter.

Question 3

How do I start writing a script?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

This is how to write a script:

Learn and prepare
Choose a theme
Pick a genre
Select a setting
Create a compelling protagonist
Include conflict
Develop supporting characters
Craft a logline
Write a treatment
Outline your script
Set goals for yourself
Revise your script
Get feedback

Question 4

How do you get started as a Screenwriter?

Sharon Soboil · Accepted Answer

I’ve been doing it for a long time. I have thoughts on how I would have done it differently. One of the things I would do is make a short, and I would try and get that short into festivals. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. I have some friends who have made shorts for $5,000 that were really successful in festivals and it made all the difference. They got their Agents, their Managers, and they got attention.
If you do make a short and it does start getting attention, I’d say hire a PR person if you have the money to do that. That can get you even more attention.
Write and write some more. All the time. The more you write, the more the muscle is exercised. And read every screenplay that you can. They’re all online now, so I would say whatever genre takes your fancy, go online and find those scripts and read twenty of them. You’ll see the same sort of first, second, third act structure, generally speaking. That’s really helpful with getting it inside your bones, if you will, on where those acts should fit and where those moments should fit.
Listen to the Scriptnotes podcast. I think they’re fantastic and they have such great information. 3rd and Fairfax is another podcast that’s really helpful. I would take classes from smart, well-connected people. Like if they’re the Showrunner that’s doing a four-week class or something, I would go to that class. That’s a connection.
In this industry, it’s ultimately all about your connections. The minute that somebody brings you under their wing and they start caring about you, you can keep in touch with them and it makes it easier later on when you’re in need of something.
Get a Script Coordinator job or a Writers Assistant job. That will put you in the room with Staff Writers on a show and you will pick up quickly how they break down the season, the episode, and the story. Too, you’ll understand getting notes, and how the whole show moves from development into production, editing, and the press and airing of the show. Especially if you have a kind Showrunner, they can include you in much of their process.
Finally, if you do have a social media presence, that seems to be attractive. It helps you potentially. If you don’t, who cares. But if you do, tell anybody and everybody to let them know you do. If you have 150,000 people that are following you, your Manager or Agent wants to know that.
It’s just writing; writing and knowing people. Getting to find your tribe.

Question 5

How do you write an opening scene in a movie?

Justin Malen · Accepted Answer

It really depends. There are times when I have a very clear idea of what the opening scene should be before I start writing–sometimes, it’s the first thing that pops into my head when I think of the premise. There are other times, though, where I work out the characters and basic plot/structure in general and then have to figure out what the best specific opening should be.
Obviously, you want that opening scene to be as captivating as possible–to really grab the reader (and, ultimately, the viewers)–and it also needs to establish the tone of the movie… but I’ve found it’s most helpful to just get something down and keep moving forward in the script. As I get further into the script, I get to know the story and my characters better, which frequently then helps me go back and either confirm that my opening works or rewrite it to what best serves the movie.
I just finished a script where–the whole time I was writing–I felt confident about the opening (because I thought it was strong comedically)… but then I got to the end and realized the main character would never have acted that way! I wound up changing it to something that I don’t think is quite as funny but works better for the movie overall. And maybe later on in the development process, I’ll find a way to amp up the comedy without compromising the character.

Question 6

How long does it take to write a screenplay?

Thomas Bezucha · Accepted Answer

I can only speak for myself. I spend much more time not writing than writing a screenplay. A lot of that is thinking. There’s a lot of procrastinating, but I do a lot of preparation.
I’m actually one of those people that does the cards. I have a card for every scene. I spread them all out on the floor of my apartment and I don’t proceed until I have a map of the entire road. You have to know where you’re starting and where you’re going to end. I definitely vary my route along the way, but I never start the car unless I know where I’m going.
Having said all that, it takes about 3 months. That’s for a first draft.

Question 7

What do you want people to know about getting started as a Writer?

Sharon Soboil · Accepted Answer

I would say this: get in a Writers’ group. Find people whose writing you love, because if you don’t, it’s hard to have them give you notes. Ultimately, find your tribe that you can go grow up with. The people you meet at the beginning of your career are the same people you’re going to know in twenty years who are making your movies. They really are.
The industry is very fluid. One day your best buddy that you were in a writing group with is a starving Screenwriter and the next thing you know, he’s the Head of Development over at Sony. And if he knows about your screenplay, he might tell somebody about your screenplay because he loved it when he was a Writer in a group. Really—that happens. Go find those people. Go get those connections.
When I say those connections, I don’t mean the head of a studio; they have their own connections and they have their own people that they met twenty years ago. You want the Assistants. You want the Junior Managers. Especially if you’re at the beginning of your career. You want those Writers that are on something, because they’re going to get you a job on their show. It really does happen that way. It’s who you know and timing and all that.
When you find those people that you’ll grow up with in the industry, you guys will all get each other jobs forever. It could be in ten years that it happens or it could be one year. Or you guys could just read each other’s material forever and at least help each other get to the next level. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve known for my whole career because we were in a Writers’ group together.
And don’t forget: writing is rewriting, so get used to it. And, if you do option or sell a script and they put on another Writer, don’t let that ruin you. Hopefully, they will do a good job of making it better. It happens A LOT. If you don’t lose it completely on the Producer for having it rewritten, they’ll use you again, or buy your next script. And, sometimes, bring your script back to you to fix from the last person who rewrote you. So, for you, go write something else.

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