Need to Write a Screenplay Synopsis? Here’s a 5-Step Plan
Write + Co.
by Naomi
5d ago
If you’re applying to screenwriting fellowships or other programs right now, you may be panicking when the submission requires a synopsis of your screenplay. After all, you wrote the whole screenplay, now you have to write a synopsis of it too?? But it’s actually a good exercise, since this probably won’t be the only time you’re asked to write a summary of your story in one form or another. One-pagers are commonly requested for projects you’re pitching. And really, everything from one-sentence loglines to twenty-page treatments are different forms of synopsis. Distilling your st ..read more
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3 Structure Tools and a Movie Case Study: The Equalizer
Write + Co.
by Naomi
1M ago
Don’t you just love a good lightbulb moment? Like when you’re watching a movie and you suddenly recognize the practical application of some bit of screenwriting theory you’ve learned. For example. I strive to facilitate those moments whenever I can, so today let’s dive into a little case study. Hopefully by the end you’ll feel like A Beautiful Mind, screenwriting edition. Case study: The Equalizer This week we’ll use the movie The Equalizer as our example. It’s come up a few times recently in my conversations with writers, and it was a special request for a closer look. (If you have movies yo ..read more
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3 Non-writing Books That Might Be Just What You Need Right Now
Write + Co.
by Naomi
1M ago
Sometimes your brain needs a break from absorbing more screenwriting theory, so today I’m sharing three of my favorite non-writing books that might be just what you need to improve your screenwriting. 1. ​Mindset: The New Psychology of Success​ By Carol S. Dweck This book is a big-picture look at how to become good – maybe even great – at new things. Getting a handle on all of the skill sets needed to write a great screenplay can be a long and daunting process, so a book that addresses a healthy and productive approach to all that learning you’ll need to do is vital. The title may sound a litt ..read more
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Do You Have to Start With Conflict?
Write + Co.
by Naomi
2M ago
Recently when I mentioned that one of the first things I do in the development of a new screenplay idea is to figure out what the main conflict is, a writer responded with this question: “I’m curious do you always start with the conflict of the story first before outlining it or do you get the idea of the whole story and then find the conflict to drive it? ​ For me, I see the story first. And sometimes there’s no conflict but there is a transformation of the character similar to Kishotenketsu style Storytelling.” Sounds like the perfect excuse to talk about one of my favorite subjects. Should ..read more
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10 Best Screenwriting How-To Books
Write + Co.
by Naomi
2M ago
Screenwriting books. This might be a surprisingly controversial post. Different writers navigate the learning curve differently. Some turn to the shelves and shelves (and entire stores) of screenwriting books available, looking for the one that will have the magic formula, the secret key that makes screenwriting easy. And others think screenwriting how-to books are a complete waste of time. More likely, a particular book might be helpful when read at one point in time, but useless when you revisit it later on. Or you might not be ready to hear what a book has to offer the first time you read i ..read more
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Designing a Character Flaw That Matches the Story’s Theme
Write + Co.
by Naomi
2M ago
A writer recently sent in a question that I suspect many writers ask: “Does the [protagonist’s] flaw have to be related/connected to the theme?” So let’s discuss. According to most fiction-writing and screenwriting paradigms or gurus, the protagonist should have a flaw, sometimes called a “fatal flaw.” This gives the character something to overcome, a source of conflict, and a way for the audience to measure whether change has occurred. A flawed character is also easier for the audience to identify with, and to feel sympathy for. It’s tough to engage with a character who seems perfect, invuln ..read more
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Building a Character Arc Through Every Scene
Write + Co.
by Naomi
3M ago
Even if you understand what character arc is in concept, you may still feel confused about how to actually make it show up in your script. The truth is, character arc shows up scene by scene. Thinking about it that way will help you build an effective character arc that deepens the story. What’s the movie really about? Theme is what the movie is really about, e.g. the message, meaning, or subtext. The character arc is the journey of accepting the theme. So what the movie is really about is the character arc. It makes sense, then, that most scenes should contribute to this big, over-arching ide ..read more
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One Tweak for Better Dialogue, Scene, and Character
Write + Co.
by Naomi
3M ago
Getting rid of Q&A dialogue is a quick way to improve not only the dialogue and the scene, but the character as well. But, wait – what is Q&A dialogue? There’s a type of scene you find in a lot of beginner screenplays that looks something like this: JANE: Hey, how did your date go? AMELIA: I don’t know. I thought we hit it off but he hasn’t called. JANE: How long has it been? AMELIA: Three days. JANE: What are you going to do? AMELIA: All I can do is sit by the phone… JANE: Why don’t you call him? AMELIA: That’s the thing, I kind of accidentally deleted his number. JANE: Don’t you have ..read more
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How to Structure Your TV Pilot
Write + Co.
by Naomi
3M ago
TV pilots need to accomplish a few specific things. They need to establish the series concept (all the makings of the show) and successfully launch the series (or at least the first season). But pilots also need to stand on their own as entertaining experiences, in order to capture an audience’s attention and interest in the first place. Unfortunately, many writers overlook the dual purposes of a pilot, often leaning heavily toward one and missing the other. When the one they miss out on is making the pilot an entertaining story unto itself, they’ve lost the audience before anyone even cares t ..read more
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11 Tips for a More Readable Script
Write + Co.
by Naomi
5M ago
How you convey it in the pages of your screenplay is just as important as what happens in the story. As you know, writing a great screenplay actually involves mastering a collection of skills. One of those skills is the on-the-page craft, which boils down to how you communicate your ideas to the reader. Polished screenplay pages enhance the power of your story, and act as a sales tool for your screenplay and yourself as a writer. But with so much to think about as you’re writing a screenplay, the more superficial aspects sometimes get overlooked. Writing a screenplay is a marathon By the time ..read more
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