Secrets Of Writing Better Scenes

Bill Martel discusses ways to improve your scenes. Scenes are the the building blocks of screenplays. Each one functions as a self contained dramatic unit and should contain a beginning, middle and an end. Feature films usually have between 50 and 60 scenes, which averages to just under two pages per scene. Make sure all your…

Structuring Your Scenes

Tom Benedek, screenwriter tells Script Magazine how he organizes his scenes. The rewrite process begins with an evaluation of the scenes. Are the flabby? Do they have too little or too much to say? Is there conflict in most scenes? The right amount of exposition? Is there is an abrupt shift that is disconcerting? Should…

What Is A Movie Set Piece?

The term “set” is a theatrical term that has parlayed into film and television. In the days of yore when studios were actually producing movies rather than paying production companies to do so, they had standing sets which could be used as required. They could be a bar, school, library etc. When a scene called…

Scenes To Be Seen

Many readers complain that they read scripts with pointless scenes. Filling the page isn’t a good enough reason for a script to be written. Ensure your scene is visual and there are several things happening on the screen as characters speak. Ask yourself, what is each scene really about? This is different from what’s going…

Key Elements Of Your Screenplay

Here are some nuggets of wisdom from Writers Boot Camp: FOUR KEY DEVELOPMENT COMPONENTS: Concept Structure Character Scene Crafting FIVE KEY STORY COMPONENTS: Main Character Dynamic Character (eg buddy) Opponent (antagonist) Adventure (events, plot) Genre (emotion, arena) TWO KEY REWRITE COMPONENTS: CONCEPT – This refers to the story. Try to add at least a third…

Adapting To The Screen

Daniel Manus, an L.A.-based script consultant states that writing novels and writing screenplays require two very different skill sets and very few can do both very well. Adapting books into screenplays and vice-versa is a juggling act between serving a story and space. Before you try to adapt your own book (or someone else’s) into…