Every screenplay needs an “inciting incident”
Be so compelling in how you reveal your inciting incident that there isn’t a reader in the world who is too jaded to appreciate your unique hook.
March 10, 2022
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Screenwriting software – A taboo subject?
The vast majority of users don’t realize they’re already driving a Lamborghini, so they tend to treat it like a Prius.
March 9, 2022
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End with a bang, not a whimper
To end with a bang means you must culminate your story in a way that leaves that single reader so utterly satisfied that s/he sits back, sighs, and immediately forwards the script with a STRONGLY RECOMMEND tag.
February 25, 2022
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I’m writing a movie script
Maybe rethink your trope alarm clock or funeral opening. Those types of humdrum beginnings will invariably raise scornful eyebrows in seasoned readers.
February 24, 2022
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How important are the first 10 pages?
The hook isn’t necessarily the inciting incident, but usually that’s what gives a script that je ne sais quois, unputdownable quality.
February 7, 2022
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Shopping Agreements
Shopping agreements are much more common in these financial times than options. A shopping agreement entails an agent or a producer or publisher with high interest in testing the financial waters with your script or novel. But not sufficient funds to commit to a full-on option or purchase.
February 4, 2022
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What the heck is a slugline/slug line?
If you’re a brand-new screenwriter, you might not yet know how a screenplay breaks down into parts.
February 3, 2022
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Idea, Premise, Concept, Plot, or Story?
It’s not surprising that screenwriters often confuse these terms. There doesn’t appear to be a definitive common understanding of these words in the screenwriting world.
January 26, 2022
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How do I get a screenwriting agent or manager?
A manager is like a professional parent – he or she will work with you, read your scripts and give you actionable notes, encourage and advise you and organize meetings.
January 24, 2022
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Whitespace in Screenplays – It Matters
When a script looks right, with the right amount of whitespace, professional readers get excited because there’s a small chance it could turn out to be a good read; a hidden gem.
January 20, 2022
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