Quick Tips for Writing Your Script

©2009 Pro Movie Writer.com

• Work from your Scene List, and tape a copy of your Sequences where you can refer to them as you write.
• Don’t create a cast of dozens. Keep your cast small and on screen.
• Remember: A Scene is not just an event.
• A scene has conflict and opposition.
• Is best written by thinking about whose scene it is, what the short term Goal for the character is in that scene, and what character opposes that goal and why.
• Example: Your Main Character has to raise money to help reach his Main Goal. He visits a friend who owes him money, hoping to collect. His goal is to collect money. His friend does not want to pay the Main Character. The friend’s goal is not to pay. The scene “belongs” to your hero. The opposition and conflict come from their two opposing goals.
• Enter scenes late.
• Example: A group business associates must make it to a big meeting. You don’t have to show every, or any, character driving up for the meeting.
• Get out early (you don’t have to show everyone saying goodbye).
• Move the story forward by revealing information to the Audience or to the Character or both (use a bit of each of these from scene to scene).

· Keep your dialog short (average a sentence or two) and don’t use complete sentences all the time.

· Don’t describe the characters ad nauseum or use excessive stage or camera directions. Make your script sharp and uncluttered.

· Keep your Hero as Active as possible, defining the action. Don’t have her constantly reacting to events or she will be passive and boring.

· Don’t always “sneak up” on the audience with surprises – sometimes, hinting at what is to come will make them anticipate the action and become more involved.

Excerpted from the Screenwriters Cheat Sheet

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