 | If you spend much time with screenwriters, you’ve probably heard a bunch of absolute no-no’s when it comes to screenwriting. You can’t do this. You can’t do that. Oh, if you do that, whoever is reading your script will use it for toilet paper. |
This week, we’re here to say: Stop worrying about that stuff! It doesn’t matter. Really. It doesn’t.
In fact, it’s almost like all of these ‘nevers’ are invented by screenwriters to make us feel like we have more control over what happens to our scripts than we really do.
“How could he not like it?! I didn’t do anything on that list of stuff I can never, ever do!”
He didn’t like it because you were too busy worrying about rules to focus on improving your writing, and getting your work where it needs to be.
So this article is actually a reason for many screenwriters to rejoice. All those little things you force yourself not to do when you write… You can start doing them again!
Keep reading to find out exactly what I’m talking about…
In fact, it’s almost like all of these ‘nevers’ are invented by screenwriters to make us feel like we have more control over what happens to our scripts than we really do.
“How could he not like it?! I didn’t do anything on that list of stuff I can never, ever do!”
He didn’t like it because you were too busy worrying about rules to focus on improving your writing, and getting your work where it needs to be.
So this article is actually a reason for many screenwriters to rejoice. All those little things you force yourself not to do when you write… You can start doing them again!
Keep reading to find out exactly what I’m talking about…
Voiceover
Voiceover is a useful tool. Don’t be afraid to use it. But if you do, just make sure you’re doing it for a reason.
In comedy, voiceover is a really handy way to set up jokes or deliver punchlines.
In drama, voiceover is an awesome way to get deeper into the character’s psyche.
There are only two real guidelines to voiceover, 1) Don’t use it to repeat information the reader already knows. 2) Be consistent (if you use it early, use it often).
In comedy, voiceover is a really handy way to set up jokes or deliver punchlines.
In drama, voiceover is an awesome way to get deeper into the character’s psyche.
There are only two real guidelines to voiceover, 1) Don’t use it to repeat information the reader already knows. 2) Be consistent (if you use it early, use it often).
Flashbacks
Lost did it, so why can’t you?
Flashbacks are incredibly useful in all genres. They work best when they provide information that pushes the story forward.
They also work well when they happen in place of a character monologue about a past event. If it’s more interesting to see what happened than to hear a character talk about it, a flashback could be exactly what the (script)doctor ordered.
Flashbacks are incredibly useful in all genres. They work best when they provide information that pushes the story forward.
They also work well when they happen in place of a character monologue about a past event. If it’s more interesting to see what happened than to hear a character talk about it, a flashback could be exactly what the (script)doctor ordered.
Writing what can't be seen
Screenwriters are always told not to write words on the page that don't literally translate to an image on screen.
But that's nonsense. Great writers write stuff that can't be seen all the time, and it's a big part of what makes their scripts enjoyable.
Our favorite way to use this technique is to tell the reader how the main character is feeling at the moment. A line like, "He watches her go, finally confident that what they have is real," can be extremely useful.
That was a bad example, but you get the point.
But that's nonsense. Great writers write stuff that can't be seen all the time, and it's a big part of what makes their scripts enjoyable.
Our favorite way to use this technique is to tell the reader how the main character is feeling at the moment. A line like, "He watches her go, finally confident that what they have is real," can be extremely useful.
That was a bad example, but you get the point.
This excerpt from the pilot of The Office is a perfect example of using action writing to track important emotions.
This kind of action writing allows the reader to track the emotional arc that your hero is going through. Good writing is rich with subtext, which is easy to miss if you’re a producer reading a dozen scripts in an afternoon. So don’t forget it - - these little cues are your best friend.
What else?
There are tons of little 'rules' that bog screenwriters down in useless worry. They slow down the writing process, they block creativity, and they're completely unnecessary.
We only listed three here. Share more in the comments!
We only listed three here. Share more in the comments!