BEST PRACTICES FOR GOOD SCREENWRITING.

Screenwriting, in my opinion is likened to an, “architectural blueprint of a building.” Just like a finished building with all the details from the foundation to the plumbing, paint and interior decor. The landscaped property it sits on. Before any of it ever was, it was a vision, an idea that became a story. How many floors will it have, 50 or 75? What look does it have? Modern, futuristic? Traditional? The influences involved in telling that story, (Constructing a building) to it’s audience will have high expectations that adds to the weight of understanding the rules so that when the blueprint is complete, I can hand it to a client, (for screenwriters it would be, an agent, producer or director) locally here in New England or to a prospective client in Europe lets say. Both clients will know exactly what that building will look like. They will know the whole story because they have the blueprint.

When that blueprint or screenplay is ready to go out to prospective clients. The client expects You as the writer to have training and understanding in the field of Screenwriting. Unfortunately that is one of the reasons many screenplays don’t get made into movies. Note, there are many really good screenplays that unfortunately never get made for many different reasons, most of them financial in nature. This particular blog is about following the guide lines for screenwriting.

These are two different platforms for sure, but they are similar in many ways. They both have industry standards with rules to follow. More importantly they are the foundation, and the frame-work of what is to come. These standards or rules put in place to assure the client, or audience member that Storytelling, like construction has so many different possibilities and customers or audience members. Are we building a skyscraper or a cottage, or a shopping-mall? Comedy or Drama, Sifi, or Thriller?

Screenwriting is about life, big, tall, broad and deep. It’s about our experience, our observations, our hopes, expectations & disappointments. With the use of imagination, some good collaboration we can create beyond our wildest dreams.

These stories once created can last forever in the digital space. Hard copy, the script or film if properly stored can as well. Many films are timeless and referred to as cultural turning points in our conversation and education. They can provide us with cultural identity. They report the life narratives of the times, the people, their thinking and experience. All that involves life progressions in the form of created story. Amazing.

Often they influence the direction of society as a type of culture check, something we point to and use as a reference point as we move forward using the movie as a guide much like instruction in life’s uncharted territory. They can challenge and inspire an audience, take residency in our hearts and minds. Often movies are referred to indirectly to steer or aid decision making. We site the characters, their lines, the events or some unforgettable action scenes. Sometimes we use them to shape our future or to ad to our conversations.

Start with the basics.

“The overall story.” As I write that the first thing that comes to mind is my log-line. Once the screenplay is complete I have to be able to tell this story in, THREE SENTENCES OR LESS.

Stepping back with a broad view. What is the, “overall story” about? Who is the main character? How well do I know their (main character) story? Where and when does it take place. Who’s in it? What’s it about? What happens, from the beginning, the middle to the end. Is their growth, change,(the arch)? What happens to my main character? How will you get the audience to care, invest intellectually and emotionally?

First, identify your overall story. Know what this story is about? Who’s story is it? and through the craft of storytelling develop it, flesh it out. You may in your rough draft start with, WHO? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? And WHY?

I recommend using, “Final draft,” an industry standard as a screenwriting platform.

Here is an example of a screenplay created on the fly.

TITLE

Binji Bongo

INT. OFFICE – JACK’S HOUSE – WASHINGTON DC – DAY

JACK, thirties, tall thin, has a thick shock of black hair, unshaven, lays face-down on the floor, barefoot disheveled cloths. He snores. His right hand clutches an open whiskey bottle on its side in a puddle of whisky.

TRACY, thirties, attractive brunette in a red silk-miniskirt, reveals her long sexy bare legs in heals. She enters tip-toeing, slowly she steps over, Jack who is passed out face-down on the floor. She looks over her shoulder, reaches down to Jacks back pocket, carefully with both hands she extracts a black leather wallet.

Jack opens one eye, sees the room at floor level, the chairs, open doorway, Tracy’s feet and sexy long bare legs. He shuts his eyes.

JACK

Bring back the change.

Tracy, bug-eyed, stays frozen in a fixed position bent in two, she hovers over Jack with his black wallet in her hand. She looks down at, Jack. He snores loudly. She looks over her shoulder, sees the empty hallway, straightens up, turns, steps away quickly.

Jack, face down on the floor, sticks his leg out, catches Tracy’s foot. Tracy trips, falls head long flat on her face. Jack lays on the floor eyes closed, snores, reveals a big smile.

Note. This example is not properly formatted. An actual screenplay on the right platform would have a different lay out. It’s just an example that we can begin creating in a snap. However not to mislead, completing a story, addressing all the elements and development to make it great take a lot of work and usually the help of others for added perspective.