Screenwriting is the art of writing scripts for various forms of visual content, including films, series, YouTube videos, and much more. A screenwriter should be able to write a creative and visually engaging story. The screenplay is used by actors, directors, and other crew members in many moments of the production process.
If you want to create your first screenplay, read these tips!
Discover the Genre
To make your writing journey a little bit easier, read screenplays and watch movies based on them. Focus on how the story is structured, how the plot and characters develop, and pay attention to the dialogues. You can find materials for learning online, in libraries, or in screenwriting books.
Take an Online Screenwriting Course
You can find many online screenwriting courses and workshops. Usually, they cover the basics of screenwriting, teach you how to develop your characters and plots, and suggest how to write good, engaging dialogue. Make sure that you choose a course that is led by someone who has experience in the industry. Aaron Sorkin’s masterclass review gives you an insight into what you can expect from courses like this.
Write
Many new writers, including screenwriters, forget that the most important thing to do to improve your skills is to just write. Don’t wait for the strike of inspiration. Writing is a labor, and sometimes you need to push through the hard phases to succeed. Don’t be afraid that your first draft won’t be perfect – this is why it’s called a draft. You can take your time and polish it after the whole story is out on paper.
Explore various genres and styles to find something that suits you and to challenge yourself and your creativity. When you write regularly, you can improve your skills, create a play, and discover your voice.
Learn Screenplay Formatting
One of the things that distinguishes screenplays from other texts is formatting rules. If you want to learn how to create a play, you need to learn them. You can read books and articles about formatting styles to get an idea. There is also special software, such as Final Draft, which can help you with the automatic formatting of your screenplay. Use them once you know the rules.
Try to Get Feedback
Getting a second opinion on your work can make it much better. People who read your screenplay can notice some things that you missed, point out that something doesn’t add up, even though in your head it makes sense, because, well… You know the whole story better than anyone.
If you want to improve your screenwriting, share your work with a mentor, tutor, writing partner, or even friends. This way, you can get ideas about what needs improvement and focus on developing skills.
Join a Writing Group
Having someone to hold you accountable can be a great way to stick to writing and improve various skills quickly. Join a group to connect with other aspiring writers. You will be able to share your work and get feedback, as well as brainstorm ideas and learn a lot about different tricks and styles from your peers.
