101 Screenwriting Tips That Don’t Suck

Welcome to 101 Screenwriting Tips That Don’t Suck! This is – what the hip, tech-crowd calls – a “living document.” (Meaning we’ll continue to update it with tips as we come across them. And I’m TOO LAZY to come up with ALL 101 Screenwriting Tips at once.)

If you’ve got a suggestion for one of the 101 Screenwriting Tips be sure to let us know over at our Facebook page. And if you’d like to FOLLOW our Pinterest board of the same name you can find it over here.

Let the Screenwriting Tips of Non-Sucky Awesomeness Begin!

Screenwriting Tips That Don’t Suck #1: Write Your Climax…FIRST!

Not only will this make you way more excited to finish your script…but you’ll also have a much better idea where your script is headed. (And what your story is actually about.)

 

Screenwriting Tips That Don’t Suck #2: When in Doubt…Put Your Hero in Danger!

If you find your story wandering off, or just plain uninspiring…it’s probably because the focus has turned toward ANOTHER character. Put yours in jeopardy…and get your story back on track.

 

Screenwriting Tips That Don’t Suck #3: Make Sure Your Story Has at Least 7 “Set Ups” & “Payoffs”

These can be objects, lines of dialogue…whatever. Just planet them througout your story and you’ll find your tale has more resonance – and more buyers!

 

Screenwriting Tips That Don’t Suck #4: Don’t Be a Slave to 3-Act Structure

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is seven acts. Shakespeare wrote in five. Don’t get hung up in ACTS. Think about sequences building to a climax. (And then string those out across your story which BUILDS to the BIGGEST climax of them all.)

 

Screenwriting Tips That Don’t Suck #5: Obsessions are More Important Than Like-a-Bility

Don’t worry about making your hero like-able. (Is Rick in “Casablanca” nice? How about “Napoleon Dynamite?”) Give your hero a super personal goal they would die for – and that’s all the like-ability they need.

 

The post 101 Screenwriting Tips That Don’t Suck appeared first on ScriptBully.