Articles on Screen Writing

How to Write Subtext in Screenplays

By Eric J. Seidman

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Subtext refers to messages that get across without ever being spoken. It is an essential tool for writing a great script and can be very challenging. This tutorial will help to lessen the difficulty of this seemingly lost art... more »

How to Break Into Hollywood

By CoastalGuy

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So you've got the Entertainment bug and want to give Hollywood a shot? While breaking into the biz can be fraught with pitfalls, here's a few tips to help guide you closer to The Dream... more »

How to Choose Screenwriting Software

By elliotfeldman

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I’ll start with a warning. Most Hollywood producers, studios, and agents won’t look at a screenplay unless it conforms to a standard accepted format. While many professional screenwriters prefer to format their scripts manually or with a template ... more »

How to Create a Believable Fictional Character

By Cougar1002

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This article is mainly geared toward fiction writers who already have characters in mind or created. It is a checklist of ideas to keep in mind that will help you create realistic characters or slightly alter existing ones... more »

How to Create a Three Dimensional Character in a Screenplay

By Ann Casano

1 comments

You need to cheer for him, loathe her, or sympathize with them. In order for any screenplay to be successful, characters must fulfill their narrative goals. If an audience doesn't identify with your characters, then they are going to lose ... more »

How to Create an Animated TV Series

By tedpedersen

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The creation and development of an animated TV series is almost the same as for a live action series, with a few differences. Many cartoon shows are targeted at children, although increasingly they also appeal to those who read comic books or ... more »

How to Do a Screenplay Plot Outline with Index Cards

By elliotfeldman

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Many screenplays and, as a result, motion pictures often fail right from the start at the plotting stage. Granted, creating a plot outline may not seem like a lot of fun for some writers when compared to creating jokes, snappy character dialogue, ... more »

How to Format a Script for Submission

By Nathanhj

4 comments

It doesn't matter if you are sending a movie or television script to an agent, a film company, or a competition, all readers look for one thing first-- professionalism. A perfectly formatted script won't win you any awards, but a poorly formatted ... more »

How to Format Character Slugs in Screenplays

By Eric J. Seidman

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Character Slugs refer to the names of characters that appear on top of the dialogue that particular character says. Formatting them properly can determine whether or not your script gets recommended by readers and helps the director and actors to ... more »

How to From Brain to Paper-Beginnings of a Screenplay

By Pearlz31

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You live a normal, ordinary life but no one knows your imagination is running a mile a minute. You're a movie buff but more than that. You wish you could put your story ideas on paper and have them come to life on the big screen... more »

How to Fully Comprehend Plot Point One

By Erik Lynch

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You've heard it many times before, some vague, virtually meaningless description of the elusive story element called, "Plot Point One." Screenwriting books describe it as, "A point that spins the action," "A major turning ... more »

How to Fully Develop a Character in a Screenplay

By Eric J. Seidman

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Being a professional screenwriter, something I find when reading a plethora of scripts are undeveloped characters. The characters are funny or dramatic, but never grow or digress. Follow these instructions and you will be a ... more »

How to Get FREE Tickets toThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno

By thebigandy

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Want to go see Jay Leno for FREE? Here are the easy steps!.. more »

How to Make It As A Writer In Hollywood

By CoastalGuy

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Thinking of moving to Los Angeles to make it as a writer in the entertainment industry? It's harder than it seems. The competition is ferocious. But knowing a few things can make the journey a little easier... more »

How to Properly Revise Your Own Screenplay

By Eric J. Seidman

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In the world of movies, writers are usually called in to rewrite the work of others. This mainly happens because the original writer cannot detach himself enough from the story to take a different and needed approach. You will be a much more ... more »

How to Protect Your Screenplay or Movie Idea

By smanville

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For Screenwriters and Creators of written projects for sale to the entertainment industry, this article will provide a brief explaination and instruction on how to protect your screenplay or idea when preparing it to pitch to producers and ... more »

How to Raise the Stakes in Your Screenplay

By Ann Casano

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Thousands of screenplays are submitted to production offices every year. What can you do as a writer to grab the attention of an agent or script analyst? One way is to make your script more exciting by raising the stakes. There are several ways ... more »

How to Receive an Oscar Nomination

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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Although there are surprises every year, studios look to surefire trends and take excessive measures to procure Academy Award nominations, which will be announced this year on February 15. Here are some ways you can increase your chances of ... more »

How to Understand Transitions in a Script

By Eric J. Seidman

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Transitions in screenplays are the short phrases that take us from one place to another. There are several of these transitions, though, and understanding when to use them can either make a script very clear or very confusing. From a formatting ... more »

How to Work With Producers as a Writer

By Eric J. Seidman

1 comments

If a producer hires you to write a script, he is essentially conceding the fact that you are better and he cannot do it himself. Despite this, producers will tend to to suggest many changes to a script, some of which are good and some of which ... more »

How to Write a Dark Comedy Screenplay

By Ann Casano

2 comments

Dark or black comedy takes disturbing events and transposes them with amusement. Who knew that dropping an atomic bomb could be so funny? Suicide, death, extreme violence, rape, rabid drug use, mental insanity and terrorism are all hilarious. At ... more »

How to Write a Film Treatment for Investors

By Eric J. Seidman

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The script has been completed and the producer has arranged meetings with investors about potentially financing the film. He asks you for a treatment of the script to offer the investors. Unlike the treatment you wrote before writing the script, ... more »

How to Write a Historical Documentary Script

By Zenobia2000

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If you’re the type of person who loves seeing history come to life, this may be just the job for you. Please note that these guidelines are for writing historical reenactments for a one-hour show that is divided into five acts. You should also be ... more »

How to Write a Horror Movie Script

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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You've watched every lame horror movie ever written. Now you're sure you can write the next horror story that will have Wes Craven knocking at your door. Horror movies may share many of the same elements, but writing the right script around them ... more »

How to write a One-Hour TV script

By tedpedersen

3 comments

Whether your are writing an original spec TV script to a sample script for an existing series that you want to pitch to, here are a few general guidelines for structuring your one-hour dramatic or action TV script... more »

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Screen Writing

Articles in Screen Writing