What I've Learned Since Taking Up Screenwriting

Screenwriting and writing are not the same beast. Conflating them is the first mistake one can make. While writing a book calls for more lyricism and implies a slower pace, writing a script requires an ability to dive straight into the heart of the story. Every word must help pushing the plot forward as nothing should be superfluous. Reading a script must feel like watching a movie.

Not so long ago, I was an amateur writer, the kind that starts a myriad of projects without ever finishing a single one. I was trying to define my style, tiring myself out with over-the-top efforts in worldbuilding and lore creation, not to mention the constant will to make it all sound poetic. I always wanted to work in the film industry. Absurdly, I was writing novels with the ultimate goal to see my stories on a screen someday, so I decided to take up screenwriting. I have never been so productive and motivated since.

Switching from writing to screenwriting is quite the adaptation. I studied movie scripts, participated in contests and wrote a lot of useless drafts and it all guided me to comprehend the art a lot better. Now, I can't watch a movie or a series without seeing the script pages in my mind.

I'm not an expert and my advices are to be taken with a grain of salt, but here's what I've learned since taking up screenwriting:

- Read several movie scripts to acknowledge the different writing styles and to absorb what a script skeleton should look like. Listening to screenwriting podcasts like John August's Scriptnotes can be very helpful too.

- Before starting a script, make sure you write down your screenplay informations. That said, you should have a plan that details: the desired lenght (feature film, short film), the title, the genre and subgenres, the logline (synopsis), the main theme and the subjects you want to cover, the setting (e.g., a small town) and the time period (e.g., present day). You should also describe the protagonist, the antagonist and later on the influencing characters and the minor ones to build in your mind a stable image of each of them so they behave and talk according to their unique personalities and backgrounds. You can also write outlines that summarize the scenes before writing them. You'll have a better idea of where your story should go.

- Write your scripts on platforms that are made for that very purpose. Final Draft is the best I've used. Screenbinder is good too. Prepare your wallet to be a little bit lightened though.

- Write many scripts before ever thinking of sending one because you'll be asked ''what else do you got'' inevitably. Also, make sure your portfolio is diversified in script genres and lenght.

- Proofread your scripts... a lot. Look for spelling mistakes, anachronisms, contradictions, unrealistic situations and dialogues, everything that you might've missed in the first draft.

- Explore new genres, don't stick to a single one and don't stay in your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to think differently and show your versatility.

- Friends and family are not reviewers. You'll have to pay for professional advices if you want to build up your career. Look up ''Screenplay pro reviews'' on Google and find yourself someone who knows the craft.

- Finally, when your portfolio will start to be more furnished, upload your scripts on referencing sites like The Black List and InkTip. Then again, you'll have to pay monthly fees. If you're serious about becoming a screenwriter, go all in.

I wish you all the best,

-Livier Lefrank