When you're staring at the blinking cursor, nothing else matters. You're just totally stressed and hoping something changes. Once you start typing, you might feel some relief, but you also might be worried you're not doing your best to get people to buy into the screenplay. All of these worries can hold you back and keep you from finishing your work. So, that's why I encourage people to take it one page at a time. Like with the literal first page. The first page of your screenplay is your calling card. It's the first impression you make on a reader, and it can be the difference between someone engaging with the rest of the story or putting your script aside. In a recent video, screenwriter Ken Kabatoff broke down the first page of Rian Johnson's sci-fi masterpiece, Looper, to illustrate how to write an opening that hooks the reader from the very first line.Let's dive in. Writing a First Page That SellsThe first page of Looper is a masterclass in economical storytelling. Rian Johnson establishes the world, the protagonist, and the central conflict of the film right away and lets the audience into the world. We even get some images that stick with us, like the ticking pocket watch, which then introduces us to the idea of being a "looper," a man who assassinates people sent back in time from the future. And that's also used to introduce us to our protagonist, Joe. Show, Don't TellOne of the key strengths...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Thursday, 9 October