Writing a story or novel can be exhaustive as it consists of details in depth. It is lengthy and that is why often people nowadays prefer watching a movie or a television series instead of reading a book. Often novels don’t even get published. This causes many writers to be underrecognized. Do you often dream of your stories being displayed on a silver screen so you can too, be recognized globally? Then you are at the right place because in less than two minutes we are going to discuss some of the tips to become a screenplay writer.
First Tip To Become A Screenplay Writer
Setting realistic goals for yourself is the first and one of the most important tips to become a screen writer.
We often get the sudden burst of adrenaline which leads us to setting goals that are not practically achievable. This can result in loads of work done in a couple of days and no work at all for a really long time. The burnout is real and so we need to understand that setting goals that are achievable is necessary in not just screen writing but every project you work on.
Following are some of the realistic goals you can set to keep working and not suffer a burnout:
- Reading one book/screenplay per week (Or as much as you can easily read)
- Subscribe to a screenplay formatting software
- Write, write and write. But only when you know you are ready and not force yourself to do so
- Write down any ideas you get if you are not in the mood of writing so you don’t forget them the next time you sit to write
- Set an honest date to complete the task/story/screenplay, i.e. completing half the screenplay in a week when you know you can’t do it will just demotivate you
- Write a single draft at first and not consider it finalized
- Rewrite the draft as many times as you please till you are satisfied
- Get some honest feedbacks from friends and family
These tips and tricks will assist you in avoiding a burnout and give a productive outcome.
Second Tip To Become A Screenplay Writer
Let the reader see rather than tell them what is happening is the second of the many tips to become a screenplay writer.
If you are not new to screenplay writing, you may have heard the phrase, “Show, don’t tell.” many times. That is the exact purpose of writing a screenplay. You don’t need to add minor details of a scenario to make the reader understand what you are trying to show them rather you have to fabricate the details in terms of sight. Let your audience experience the thrill, horror, intimacy and action as they watch the movie. Make your audience’s experience as much vivid as possible.
If you tell or add these details in voice overs, it will eventually bore your audience. Dialogue can be a nemesis of your masterpiece if there is an abundance of it. Your characters talking too much will lead your audience to get distracted from where you want to lead them.
Practice Your Unique Style
Your own voice and style matter the most when it comes to screenplay writing.
Writers are recognized by their writing styles. This includes the way they construct their dialogues, how they shape and bring their characters to life and what type of characters they usually tend to write. This makes a piece of writing unique in its own way. A writer writing in different genres can also switch between characters and dialogues but their style reflects the same way.
What makes a good writer is the amount of practice you put in to writing daily. You begin to see consistency and a certain flow that your readers can detect while reading your work. This makes you stand out of the crowd and increases your popularity among your audience.
Research, Research & Research
Hectic as it is, but the only way to understand things in depth and gain more knowledge in your relative field.
Researching about genres can help you figure out your genre. Learning what genres you can write on will open many ways for you in this creative field. Writing what you know about is easier than wasting your time in trying to write what you can’t grasp the concept of.
If you are writing a fantasy screenplay, you need to look around for inspirations and do some research on all the possibilities there could be to build a new world or give a fantastical touch to the existing one. how to build new fantasy creatures, new names your characters could take, a whole new language or what type of clothing will they wear. All these come under the simple heading of research. This allows you to broaden your vision and grasp new ideas rather than lingering on cliches.
Learning By Reading & Watching More
Isn’t it fun, if you can learn just by watching your favourite movie or television show?
Yes, watching movies and tv show that come under your genre may help you realize the mistakes you may be making in your writing. Taking notes while watching a movie can help you analyze the things you are lacking when you sit to write.
Here are a few things to note down when watching a movie/tv show:
- Notice how they have structured it, the beginning, middle and end
- Pointing out specific scenes and analyzing them
- How well they worked on their plot
- How well the character arc was structured
- Study the construction of dialogues and how well they fit the situation, or why they fit the situation in the first place
Utilize these things to your advantage. This can enhance your writing and give a professional touch to your screenplays. Those were some of the many tips to become a screenplay writer.
Conclusion
Screenwriting is an art and art demands creativity to become a masterpiece. Hence, opening up your mind and letting your creativity shoot to the stars is a good way to write a blockbuster. Last quick tip is to make your audience shift in their seat every once in a while, with the thrill and curiosity. Hope you learned something useful from the many tips to become a screenplay writer.
Are you having a writer’s block? Do you struggle with writing and need to put more effort than required? Read these tips from expert writers.
