Pre-Production - 12 Essential Screenwriting Tips

http://whatculture.com/film/12-essential-screenwriting-tips-for-aspiring-screenwriters.php

Another great article from WhatCulture. Let's Dive in.

12. Like A Movie? Read The Screenplay!

Breaking bad is one of my all time favourite series. Especially the first episode. I broke down the script into parts and saw how the screenwriteer introduced each character to perfection, and it really paid off in the visual.

11. Write Every Single Day

Definitely. At least a scene a day. It's always better to write than rewrite.

10. Write To Your Strengths

 I'm confident with the ROADMAN script so far. I'm not writing out of my means and I understand on a real level what is expected out of the characters.

9. Know Your Story

I know what I want from my characters and have a great profile behind them that I want them to follow. The story is pretty simple, and can be summed up in a paragraph or less. I like minimalism, and it shows in my script.

8. Every Scene Needs A Goal

I've tried to take this into consideration when writing my script. Every scene needs a pirpose otherwise whats the point in writing it in, its just words on the page. We need them words to be meaningful. Not just for word count. Every scene I have tries to progress the story as far as it can go without exposition.

7. Choose Your Protagonist

Jimmy. Without a doubt, hes the person that is followed throughout. His journey.

6. Write For An Actual Audience

People who understand the ROADMAN culture will be invested in this film no doubt. Its a powerful representation of the ROADMAN culture and without a doubt has an audience behind it. 

 

5. Keep ‘Em Guessing

 Trying not to give it all away at the wrong time is all down to pacing. I've tried to pace out my story the best way I can to ensure that I don't give it  all away way too earlier than i need to. When I do give it all away, it doesn't hang about, which is what I want. 

4. Axe The “Boring” Bits/Kill Your Darlings

 I did originally have Billy killed, but based on feedback, this just wasn't feasable. It would piss off my audience and I wouldn't want to do that.  Now the ending fits more with character goals and changes in character.

3. Have Something To Say

This plays alot into having meaningfull scenes. Words are just words unless you give them  meaning. Every scene is scripted tfor a purpose and helps progress the slow burn of the story.

2. Just Finish The Damn Thing

 haha. I got there in the end. 4th draft and all. It's always better to rewrite than write. I got something down on the page, and I follwoed it all the way through right to the end. And I'm happy.

1. Put Your Script On Ice For A Month

 I put this part down to feedback. Now I wait for Simon to mark it. Which is fine. It's my best work on the course and I hope it shows.