When you’re just starting out, you are going to target smaller, independent production companies. One of the things they’ll look for is a good story that can be made into a film with a small budget. They just aren’t looking to make movies that have a budget in the tens of millions of dollars. In fact, only a handful of big-budget blockbuster movies are made each year.
Think about your favorite movies. Which characters stand out and why? As you develop your own characters, keep these in mind. You can study books, screenplays and movies for years to learn about interesting, dynamic movie characters but there are a few fundamentals to keep in mind.
Most agents, producers and writing consultants see the same writing mistakes in screenplays over and over. Avoid these common problems from the beginning and you’ll likely have fewer obstacles to your success.
Get to the point. Your screenplay has to draw in the reader right away. The general rule of thumb is to introduce the main conflict within the first ten pages but some say within the first four pages. That means you can’t dawdle. Jump right into the action.
The first step of crafting a screenplay is coming up with a great story idea. There are three standard ways to approach the creation of a story:
• Stream of Consciousness
• Analytical Approach
• Methodical Approach
Each approach has its pros and cons and the method that works best for you depends on your writing style and experience.
Many producers only accept screenplays from reputable agents because they have established relationship and the agent has proven to be a good source of good material.
In the competitive world of screenwriting, you want to make sure you have an agent that can provide you with the best representation possible. How can you do that?
You don’t have to have an agent to sell your screenplay, but it usually helps. A good screenplay agent :
• Can read and edit your screenplay
• Knows the players involved: actors, directors, producers, and most importantly, the buyers
• Knows the trends
• Is an experienced negotiator and may be able to get you better terms and royalties
• Knows how to sell screenplays
• Lives and works in Hollywood where most scripts are purchased; particularly valuable if you don’t live in the area
Screen Play Fortunes Membership