No matter how many spec scripts I write, I still feel like the first draft is filled with mistakes that I have to polish. So I went ahead and assembled the five most common mistakes I make, and put them here for you to try to avoid. Let's examine each to make sure you're not plagued by them right away and, thus, have a better shot at turning out a great first draft. 1. Overly Descriptive Action LinesA screenplay is not a novel—I have to remind myself of that time and time again. Flowery language and excessive internal character monologues bog down your pacing. Focus on the essentials of action and dialogue designed to be visualized on screen.Do enough to paint a picture that creates an image in the mind. Avoid laboring the reader with details that don't suck them into the story. 2. Not Enough Conflict in ScenesEvery great story has conflict. It's what drives action and character change. However, weak conflicts, or ones that seem to have no reasoning can make a script flatline and become boring. Establish conflict early: Introduce the problem by the end of your first act, keeping the audience hooked.Heighten the stakes: As the story progresses, the consequences of the conflict should become more dire, forcing your character to grow or face defeat.3. Missing Key Cinematic VisualsFilm and television are ultimately about what we see and hear. A great screenplay focuses on what can be portrayed on the screen and avoids elements that rely...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Thursday, 11 April, 2024