I want to write a screenplay…..?
Question by JL: I want to write a screenplay…..?
So, I’ve had this idea in my head for a long time
And over time I think i’ve finished plotting it out in my head and finished up the story
So i want to turn it into a movie script that i can sell to someone
I understand it might not sell and everything but i want to write it anyway because its always been a dream of mine to write a movie to appear on the big screen
I think its a good story and the main character is someone I’ve been putting alot of effort into to get his personality the way i want it
SO what should i do to get started on this screenplay?
Can i Just randomly pick up and start?
Or are there any suggestions anyone has that i should do before i start to write this script?
PS: I’m 16, so if there are any courses i can take to improve my writing before i start i’m willing to do so
I know i’m young and all but ive been plotting this out for an extremely long time
Any help would be great!
Best answer:
Answer by meat
My first recommendation is to read screenplays. You can do this here:
www.script-o-rama.com
www.simplyscripts.com
www.imsdb.com
You’ll also need a good book on formatting. For that, I recommend the Screenwriters Bible by David Trottier. He explains all the terms and gives examples. It’s a great book. You can pick it up cheapest on Amazon.com
You’ll also need formatting software. There’s the professional software packages: Movie Magic Screenwriter and Final Draft. MMS is the industry standard, and – of the two – I find that it’s the easiest to use. There’s also the free software. It’s not a standard, but it’s certainly the cheapest way to get going. The software package Celtx is probably the best out there. You can get it here:
www.celtx.com
The next thing you’ll need to know is how to structure a screenplay. While the story is always up to the writer, it’s important to know that virtually every story is the Monomyth. If you include the plot points outlined in Hero With A thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, you’ll be well on your way towards having a marketable screenplay. Joseph Campbell’s book is a great reference, but really dry reading. For now, read (and understand) Vogler’s breakdown, which was a memo written awhile ago. It’s very concise and hits the high points you need to know to create a good story. You can read it here:
www.skepticfiles.org/atheist2/hero.htm
A screenplay is between 90 and 120 pages for a movie.
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