Starting a new screenplay is exciting, and for most people, the first act can fly by because there is a lot you need to do in those pages. You have to introduce your characters, the world, the tone, the central conflict, what the protagonist wants... by the time you've done all that, you're usually at page 30. Easy, right?Well, hold on. Sometimes writers trip themselves up, even this early in the process, either because they want to overcomplicate things or skip beats to get to the meat of their story faster. But even a seemingly small mistake can weaken the plot later on in your script.Writing and storytelling coach Michael Hauge doesn't sugarcoat things. If you mess up the first two stages of your screenplay, it's pretty much impossible for it to work.In a Film Courage interview, Hauge broke down the most common problems that plague act one. And he's right. With how important the opening of your story is, these are issues that can compromise your entire screenplay. "If you're having story problems, all roads lead to the hero's outer motivation," he says.Watch his interview below, then let's dig into the three biggest mistakes writers make early on, and how to fix them. - YouTube www.youtube.com Missing a Clear, Visible Goal Every story needs a finish line. What is the clear, achievable goal your character is pursuing? It should be something the audience can see and understand, even if it's a concept like "to fall in love." Hauge says...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday