The main difference between a screenwriter and a novelist is that the novelist can take all the time he needs and can ramble along as he develops his characters and themes. A screenwriter needs to know EXACTLY where he is going before he sets out



The talent of a writer has to be nurtured through discipline. All the great writers set aside fixed times during which they would sit at their work place. Even if they didn't know what they would write, merely by providing that set time every day 'something' would happen. Stephen King calls it "being in the zone". Unlike a novelist, you do not have the luxury of allowing your script to develop into 300 plus pages. Of course you could believe that a 300 page script would be wonderful and make a trilogy - the truth is, it will not get read. The script has to conform to the standard 100 - 115 pages.

The structure of most contemporary screenplays: 1) Establish the character and general situation, 2) force them up a tree and throw rocks at him and 3) get the hero down again.

Firstly, establish character and situation.

Secondly, a situation must be created that goes against your characters comfort zone. He must have a nemesis trying to destroy everything he stands for. This bad guy takes pleasure putting your hero up that tree and making it as uncomfortable as possible.

Thirdly, our hero needs to overcome all odds and payoff' the bad guy.

If it really is that simple, then why isnt everyone a screenwriter? The answer is they really do not know how to write a screenplay.

So take the time to develop your storyline. Flesh out your main characters with real hopes and dreams. Now introduce conflict! The more conflict you have, the clearer your characters will be defined.

So what does it take to become a screenwriter, besides learning how to write a screenplay? It takes discipline to sit at your workplace, even when you are not sure what you are going to write. It takes having a thick skin, so that when the inevitable rejections come, you do not BELIEVE in their judgment as to your potential. It takes major BELIEF in yourself. But MOST of all it takes LUCK!

The film industry is littered with great scripts that never got made. - Directors fall out with producers. A great idea yesterday turns into a pariah today. The studio that WAS going to make your picture has changed hands and the new studio head wants to stamp his own directorial policy on his new position and you were chosen by the previous head! There are a million legitimate reasons why Hollywood should not immediately fall at your feet but YOU are going to overcome this. If you do not believe this, then do not even attempt to learn how to write a screenplay! If you DO believe in yourself, then hey why shouldnt you be the one that gets lucky?!

So yes, learning how to write a screenplay isnt so difficult. The difficult part comes AFTER you have written the screenplay.