Things Beginning Screenwriters Should Avoid

Every single edge-of-your-seat, forgot-you-had-popcorn, award-riddled film began with a screenplay; words that do not differ much from what you are looking at now. But how do you transform text on paper to a star-filled, iconic, cinematic masterpiece? I'll let you know when I get there. But in the meantime, two years of researching to find out how to get onto R.L.'s speed dial, I have consistently come across these beginner blunders and these are the consistent advices by industry professionals, experienced hobbyists; advices personally researched for clarification in my journey to become a screenwriter:

1). Avoid writing anything before researching everything. Beginner mistakes can be avoided by doing this.

2). Avoid writing your full length feature script first. Most sources state that your first script will never be produced. It is merely proof of your style and talents and that you can actually pull it off. Write a few short scripts first, get them critiqued and re-written. There is much practice needed for getting from the beginning of a story to the end of a story in a believable and enticing way. Write your feature when you can write.

3). Avoid writing what you don't know. It is said to 'write what you know', but I'd like to add 'or know what you write'. You can research things you aren't entirely familiar with; settings, occupations, hazards and what not. Don't write what you don't know, but don't limit yourself by your personal experiences and views.

4). Avoid telling yourself or announcing your script will make a great movie. Too many times a new writer is so convinced and so busy trying to convince others they are writing the next epic that speaks for the whole decade, they won't tolerate someone more experienced saying, "It will not make a good movie." This leads to;

5). Avoid thin skin. "Your story sucks", "Your characters are boring", "I didn't think it was funny or dramatic or actiony at all", "Bad. Really, really bad", "Not even close"and "Aaaaaaargh!" Can you handle someone telling you how awful the last four months of your brain-numbing, finger-cramping hard work is? Can you objectively listen to their advice without a chip on your shoulder? Anyone who reads your script, tells you what's wrong and why, deserves your full attention and many thanks.

6). Avoid forgetting you are a writer. If you want to be taken seriously by other writers and the profession you are trying to break into, please communicate in a professional manner. Use proper grammar, punctuation while communicating, every time and every exchange. It's respectful of the craft and your peers.

7). Avoid thinking or saying screenwriting is easy. It...is...not...easy! Experienced screenwriters know this and when a beginner states this, the screenwriters know the beginner is clueless, a liar or too full of themselves. But either way, the beginner is in for a nasty fall from the top of that pedestal.

8). Avoid not reading successful scripts. Hopeful screenwriters should be reading many scripts, readily available online. Be sure to find the 'original screenplay'. A 'shooting script' is formatted differently and will steer you a bit wrong in proper format.

9). Avoid improper format. It is highly stressed upon to use proper format when writing a screenplay. It's the language and you should use it, rigid and precise. You will be suggested to download good script writing software, but if you decide to manually create your script, apply the following format:

*Use Courier 12 point font.

*Left margin is 1.5 inches.

*Right Margin unjustified at 1.0 inches

*Top and Bottom Margins are 1.0 inches

*From Left Margin justified left tabs:

-Character Name is approximately 25 spaces

-Parenthetical is approximately 21 spaces

-Dialogue is approximately 15 spaces

10). Avoid over-using the parenthetical. If the screenplay is well-written the writer won't need to tell the actor when to swoon, wink, scowl or cry. It will be within the character's behavior. If a character suddenly has to act unexpectedly, one or two words in the occasional parenthetical may be in order but not often.

11). Avoid writing action lines longer than four lines and very seldom at that. Long action lines can stall the story for the reader. If you tell too much, it's either a bore or you block the reader's own imagination that should be working for you. One or two lines are the preference.

12). Avoid long stretches of dialogue. When it comes to a character talking, 3.5 inches is suggested to be the maximum length of their dialogue text. A needed narration or official speech would be acceptable but you don't want your character droning on, unless of course you want your character droning on.

13). Avoid writing over 120 pages of a correctly formatted feature script. But aim for about 100 pages. Industry standard, not mine, not the guy who said your 157 page script, "...is way too long. Didn't you do your research?" The calculation is one minute per page. For a two hour movie, that's 120 pages of script.

14). Avoid writing a bad synopsis. A synopsis is a short, enticing glimpse of the main plot and characters, capturing the essentials of your story. Compile each act into a few paragraphs. Then marry the sentences down. Then marry them down again and again until you have two or three short gripping paragraphs that focus on your main plot and characters.

15). Avoid writing a bad logline. You have about two measly sentences to compel them to read your screenplay. There are formulas offered on reliable websites which I beseech you to find with your new habit of researching. But most include your protagonist and his/her motivating incident and how he/she attempts to overcome the obstacles to his/her goal.

16). Avoid thinking one screenplay is enough. You will need to prove your consistency writing believably in different genres and exciting plots to be a screenwriter.

17). Avoid not writing your second screenplay and your third, fourth and fifth. If you can claw your way through a few good scripts, harshly critiqued, re-re-re-re-re-written, loglines tight, synopsis enticing, and kept decent with and respectful of the people that you networked with on your researches you may not always have to call yourself a beginner screenwriter.

18). Avoid not giving your screenwriting dream a proper chance to manifest. There are many things that could be on this list that a beginner must know to write a successful screenplay. Research and ask questions. Listen, be patient and you will learn.

It's a long and arduous road we, the hopeful screenwriters, chose to walk, full of pitfalls, false trails, hidden obstructions to make us stumble; but as the old saying goes, "Even if you fall flat on your face at least you are headed in the right direction." So, do you really want this? Well, put an ice pack on your nose and go for it!