Less is More: Screenwriting Tips

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Writing less to express more is always the better option. Screenwriting is a visual art that relies on pictures to tell a story. Some aspiring screenwriters lose focus on the importance of writing strong action. Instead, they would rather flex their screenwriting muscle creating witty dialogue. Rule of thumb: Less is more--focus on a good balance of action and dialogue.  

Writing too much dialogue steals the visual thunder...

Unless we plan to become Quentin Tarantino in the flesh, over-writing dialogue is a trap. Don't get caught up in writing more dialogue to explain what you can do in less words. Nothing is more bothersome in screenwriting than writing scripts driven by just pure dialogue. Be known for your own writing voice. Don't follow James Cameron and Quentin Tarantino because they do something. Be clever creating strong dialogue that stays on track with the main character and plot.

What producers and script readers do not want to see is camera direction. If you write a shooting script, you will not get the praise you expect. It's a big "no-no" to include camera directions. Just tell the story.

Writing strong visuals in the shortest amount of lines is impressive. It is a skill that takes a lot of practice and discipline. If you're already an established screenwriter, you already realize the value of this craft. On the flip side, there are many Hollywood scripts that feature very detailed and descriptive action.

The entire first page can be filled with action, without even a single word of dialogue to introduce characters and the plot. If you can write a strong first page with detailed actions, take this approach to see where your story goes. Master visual writing to build the foundation for your First Act.

A good exercise is to write a short 5-page film with only visuals. No dialogue. Tell this story as you see it, as you imagine it shaping in your mind. Structure this 5-page short film. Hit all the plot points. As a third party, what do you see. If you wanna get creative, build a story with mind-flash, flashbacks and flash forwards.

Go further into the world you want to create.

Things to consider: 

• Be creative. 
• Have discipline. 
• Do the work. 
• Don't expect anything.
• Attract attention with your screenwriting. 
• Develop a writing voice that sets you apart from the rest.
• Everyone has an idea for a good script.
• There are far less people willing to carve out a passionate script.

As my mentor reminds me: Talk is cheap.

Please share your experience with the visual writing exercise.

And remember, writing the raw pages matter to flush out your creativity. Let's live this screenwriting dream together! Happy writing!

Write What you know

***Spoiler Alert***

***The Duplex***

I watched The Duplex movie last week. This is a good movie for aspiring authors and screenwriters to watch. Because Ben Stiller's character is an author, we see his conflicted life draw out on the silver screen. These events are especially valuable to writers, the type of authors and screenwriters who sought after writing books and movies about real stories.

"Write what you know" is what the antagonist shares in the movie ending. The old antagonist made the protagonists suffer beyond belief, which she has done to many couples to drive them crazy. Once the couples had enough, they sold their homes for cheap and left. It was a recurring theme to make money off these poor couples. 

As passionate writers, we realize the best material is made out of true events. Nonetheless, true events are always in high demand. Moviegoers crave watching movies based on true stories because they feel a connection with these characters. 

Horror movies based on true stories such as The Conjuring, The Rite, and The Possession involve evil themes which depict reality. Devil and demon themes are the epitome of evil. These unsettling topics make their way to our minds, provoking our subconscious to fear any notion of their influence. 

Write what you know. Inject your stories with real life. While you may experience unfortunate situations, these events become memorable stories that people want to watch at the movies and read in books. 

Write away! 

Screenwriter John Gatins and Real Steel screenplay

Real Steel is an inspiring story about an underdog robot, a father and a son bonding through the robot fighting circuit. The son Max loses his mother, so his father Charlie decides to sign him away to the deceased mother's sister. Eventually, the father and son form a strong bond with an old robot they find in a dump site. John Gatins writes with passion to inspire the moviegoer.

Most critics will bash Real Steel as a poor man's Rocky movie. We see the emotional structure in the robot movie. John Gatins show us that a tragic event and one interest can unite a father and son together. The movie makes you think back to your father taking you to baseball games, camping, WWF wrestling matches, football games, and playing baseball with your friends. These inspiring movies are the best to watch.  

The resolution in the last act is touching. We actually felt compelled to let out tears of joy. We're not ashamed to admit the movie ending resonated with strong emotions. Bailey's tears of joy makes the moviegoer feel her warmth and happiness.

John takes a script about a future robot fighting circuit and transforms it with an emotional movie about bonding and reconnecting a father with a son he essentially abandons to live his broken life post boxing. His robot fighter is reduced to scrap, so he invests his newfound $50,000 in another top robot that is also scrapped apart in a match.

A screenwriter must understand the emotional components to reel in the audience. John knows how to win the audience over in the movie ending. I haven't felt this inspired in a movie ending since watching The Karate Kid. Good screenwriting will capture the moviegoer every time. Real Steel is the real deal.