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Screenwriting

Screenwriting Help

Last modified on 2010-07-31 05:05:10 GMT. 3 comments. Top.

Well let’s just start off explaining what business I have even having a screenwriting section on my website. My name is Phil Hudson, and I’m trying to be a screenwriter. That means that I sit in front of my computer for hours on end, studying formatting techniques, learning story telling techniques and sorting out the jumble of stuff in my head that might not make any sense to anyone else. So in the last year and half, as I’ve tried to figure out how to be what everyone else wants to be also, I’ve stumbled upon a few things that might help anyone looking for guidance in the world of screenwriting. So here’s a list I have (that will be updated as more come along) and my review of the websites and the authors.

  • www.wordplayer.com – This is a website run by Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, two working screenwriters who have done most of the movies I grew up with. Movies like Pirates of the Caribbean 1-4, Godzilla, Zorro 1-2, Alladin, etc. (They have a complete list on their website, and trust me it will blow you away).  The reason why I love this website  the most is because it’s the first real website I found that taught me how to really write marketable screenplays. These 2 are the 2nd highest box office grossing writers in the history of film, next to George Lucas  (and probably James Cameron now that Avatar is #1). What that means, is the things they tell you to do, are tested and proven to work. They will make people lots of money, and if people make lots of money, you do too, and that means they will hire you to write more. Also, they have free download able copies of their work, free articles, books, and lists of things that will help you as you approach this frightening field. One last thing to check out, they have an awesome forum where other screenwriters share their own experiences and viewpoints with frequent visits from other working writers.

I find there are a lot of writers who won’t write “marketable” screenplays because they don’t want to sacrifice their “artistic liberties and vision”. They refer to this as “selling out”. Well, as much as I appreciate the art form and personal expression that screenwriting can grant you, no money means no time to write because you are flipping a burger or cleaning a toilet. We all have to pay our dues, but in the end working experience and practical use of proper technique will show people you know what you are doing, and give you those opportunities to truly express yourself in Courier pt 12.

www.wordplayer.com

  • www.johnaugust.com – John August is a wonderful working professional. This man has done so much in his time writing. He wrote Big Fish, Charlie’s Angels 1-2, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc. This website has over 900 articles on screenwriting, and you can tell that the man loves the work. I recommend reading the suggestions on the right column and scrolling to the bottom where he has all of his articles organized by topic. I’ve learned so much since I’ve discovered this website. I also recommend you follow him on twitter, @johnaugust. His tweets, whether professional or personal, are always important and have a purpose. Also, contrasted against Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, he has done a great job of expressing himself in his own personal style without “selling out” (Not that Ted or Terry have) and his work is very unique.

All in all, I think these two websites, coupled together will give a new/amateur screenwriter over a year of great study material. They coincide greatly, and as they both recommend, take what works for you and leave the rest behind. You need  to gain your own style. Try everything, if it works great. If it doesn’t, leave it alone. You’ll learn your style in no time.

Books

There are several books that I would recommend. Here are the ones that I have personally read and how they helped me.

  • Screenplay by Syd Field – This is the go to book for learning to write properly and in proper format. Syd Field revolutionized screenwriting when he wrote this book. Everyone who has ever written a book on screenwriting references this book. It literally teaches you everything you need to know to get running. I recommend this as a first read. It’s invaluable.
  • The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Screenwriting by Skip Press – This book is wonderful. I had to sacrifice my pride when I bought it, but in the end it helped me have that burning desire to learn all I could about screenwriting. It has a great section on film history, coming up with an idea, formatting, technique, proper presentation, and how to sell your screenplay. It helped me a ton and led me to www.wordplayer.com.
  • Adventures in the Screentrade by William Goldman – First of all, few screenwriters have had as much of an impact on the world of screenwriting as William Goldman. The man is a legend. Any of you who grew up in the same era as I did know his work, mostly from “The Princess Bride”. He’s done everything from “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, to “Marathon Man” and many many more. Most of his films have won Academy Awards. Needless to say, he knows his stuff. This book is awesome because he walks you through the many experiences he has had on film sets around the world. He has great advice for screenwriters of all ages, and his insights into what was truly the “golden age” of film, make those films more enjoyable.