16 screenwriting tips that will improve your scripts today.
You may have noticed that there are a lot of bad screenwriting techniques out there. It is recommended not to use camera angles in descriptions, the scene should always contain a protagonist with a goal, and the script should consist of only three acts.
It’s time to get down to the actual issues: Screenwriters don’t have to this confusing. But with the plethora of conflicting screenwriting techniques available online, that often seems to be the case.
We’ve broken down this list of screenwriting tips and techniques into seven key screenwriting areas: concept, theme, character, plot/structure, setting, dialogue, and description.
So let’s dive right in.
Concept screenwriting techniques.
• 1. Use the conflict three-way triangle relationships between protagonists, antagonists, and characters of interest to create the strongest concept possible.
Read more on how to do this: Script Ideas: 5 Proven Ways to Unlock Original Movie Ideas.
• 2. try strength Your protagonist takes action at the end of the first act, rather than letting them get caught up in it.
Read our step-by-step guide to learn more about how to do this: How to Write a Synopsis: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide.
theme Screenwriting skills.
• 3. Think about the topic in terms of argument: The protagonist represents the “unknown” side, the antagonist represents the “bad” side, and the stakes character represents the “good” side.
Read more about how to strengthen your theme: Script Themes: 3 Great Ways to Express Your Script’s Message.
Character script writing skills.
• 4. Add surprising contradictions to your characters to make them feel real.
Read here How to Build a 3D Character: Why Building a Character Profile Is Not a Good Starting Point (And What to Do About It.)
• 5. Always make sure your characters feel real.
Read how to do it: Make screenplay character development 100x easier with this #1 Hack.
• 6. Map your protagonist’s character arc to every major plot point in your script. The call to action, first act break, midpoint, second act break, and climax should all be important moments that clearly indicate where the protagonist is in the arc.
Read how to show character arcs through plot points: Character Arcs: The Secret Weapon for Showing Your Hero’s Growth.
Plot/Structure Screenwriting Techniques.
• 7. Add two additional plot points to the first act of your script: The inciting incident in the first scene (probably), and the big event around page 17: something that throws the protagonist’s world out of sync, forcing them to make a decision by the end of the first act.
• 8. Follow these 12 specific script beats in act one Really setting up the conflict in the script and making it as intense as possible.
Read on for these 12 Specific Script Beats: 12 Secret Script Beats You Should Include in the First Act of Your Screenplay.
scene Screenwriting skills.
• 9. Stop framing every scene you write in terms of “protagonist and villain.” In fact, many scenes reveal more than direct conflict information.
Read more about this here: 8 out of 10 writers have been told how to write scenes the wrong way.
• 10. There are 8 core principles you should follow when writing a scenario. Every well-written scripted scene (especially the big scenes that are major plot points) contains eight dramatic principles that best move the story forward and keep the audience engaged.
Read more here: 8 Keys to Writing Scenes That Are Compelling and Engage Your Readers.
• 11. Improve your scene description style by comparing yourself to professionals
Read how to do it: Use this method to improve your screenplay scene descriptions in 10 minutes.
dialogue Screenwriting skills.
• 12. Learn how to dramatically improve your script dialogue by reformatting your script transcription. This simple tip will get you up to speed writing professional-sounding dialogue in less than a month.
Read how to do this here: Scripted Dialogue: If your character is just talking, you’re doing it wrong.
• 13. For all the comedy writers out there, steal jokes from the internet Improve the humor level of your script.
Read how to do it here: How to Write a Comedy Script with LOL Dialogue.
• 14. Replace all explanations with actions and eliminate direct dialogue. Whenever you have a character explain something, check to see if the message could be conveyed better through a brief visual scene.
Read more about this and other subtext hacks at: On-the-Nose Dialogue Examples and How to Stop It Kill Your Script.
Writing Style Script Writing Techniques.
• 15. Side-by-side comparison of good and bad versions of scene descriptions To really see what great writing looks like.
Read an example here: Use this method to improve your screenplay scene description in 10 minutes.
16. Take advantage of suspense in your writing style by slowing down time, and treat each line as a new camera angle.
Read how to do it here: Screenwriting Style: How to Leverage 100x More Suspense
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We hope you enjoyed this roundup of screenwriting tips and take a moment to check out our upcoming online screenwriting course called ScriptHackr, which contains more screenwriting tips and tricks you wish you knew years ago.
Like this article? Discover more of the best screenwriting tips online…
How to write a unique script in 6 steps
Scripted Dialogue: If Your Characters Are Just Talking, You’re Doing It Wrong
Short Film Ideas: How to Come Up with an Idea that is 100% Unique and Filmable
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