Writing for Film

It may not be rocket science, but screenwriting is still difficult. Despite high monetary stakes and proliferating screenwriting classes, the number of really successful screenwriters is still small. So, this page may not help you make a $3 million sale tomorrow. But I hope it offers something to make your task easier as you work on your next script.

Dead Links: it seems that a lot of good stuff has disappeared from the web since this page first appeared. I've removed some of the dead wood, but more probably remains, so bear with me. I'm doing my best to locate new addresses for some of these things, or find suitable replacements. Meanwhile, you will find useful information below. And all internal links -- to things hosted here on this website -- will still work!

New and Improved: Partly to address these concerns, I've started aggregating information at a sister site, Scriptwriter.com, with links limited to resources that -- I hope! -- will stay put for a while. It won't be as extensive as this site at first, but it will be growing, so check it out!

HOW TO START A MOVIE: A semi-serious screenwriting tip borrowed from the WGA. Click here to see how every screenplay must begin.

TOOLS : This website now has an entire subsection devoted to screenwriting software!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Screenwriting seems to generate an awful lot of repetitive questions. Several people have tried to gather them, along with some answers. For information, I strongly suggest that you try the links on this page first; but if you still have questions, here is a directory of Screenwriting FAQ files.

CRAFT: One of the most authoritative collection of links and insider info is The Craft of Screenwriting, sponsored by the Writers' Guild of America (West). Besides "Notes from the Pros" and other invaluable tips, the site also has links to anywhere else you need to go. There is also a really monumental (yet easily searched!) examination of dramatic writing for stage and screen at The Playwriting Seminars. But what do you do when the writing is already wonderful, but the producer balks at the cost? Refer to this Tip Sheet for Writing Low Budget Film Scripts, that's what. You still want more? Okay. Charles Deemer's Screenwriters and Playwrights Site was one of the most vibrant scripwriting sites on the web, but has now been retired into an archived form that you can purchase (cheap!) and install on your hard drive. You can also buy one of Charles' guides, e-books or other related items. Check it out.

The large and growing Wordplay site features columns by screenwriter Terry Rossio, guest essays by numerous film/TV industry figures, user questions (and answers), links, and more.Technically, many of W.C. Martell's Secrets of Action Screenwriting are no longer "secret" -- since he has generously posted them online. Regardless of genre, once you've got your own story going, visit the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for formatting guidelines. Screentalk, "the Journal of International Screenwriting" based in Europe, has interviews, craft-related articles, and an eclectic selection of online links and resources.

COLLABORATION: Some folks find it hard to write alone in a vacuum, but it's hard to solve that problem over the internet -- and at least some previous efforts in this area seem to have been abandoned. The "Screenwriter's Internetwork," formerly linked from this page, appears to have disappeared. The Writers' Guild used to offer a page with advice on this same topic, but it is also gone. So you might have to leave your computer and actually meet somebody in person. If you're already in the Los Angeles area, check out The Scriptwriters Network for meetings with like-minded folks.

THE SMALL SCREEN: If you want to write drama or comedy for American TV, there are issues you'll need to deal with that are specific to that industry. Larry Brody's The TV Writer Home Page has good real-world advice and other resources. Chuck Atkins' "Sitcom Format 101" is gone from the web, which is a darn shame. I'll be looking for a replacement, or something equally useful at least, so watch this space.

PROTECTION: Many writers are fearful of having their ideas "stolen." Others want protection against false accusations of plagiarism made against them. The solution to either concern is to make a formal record of the script's existence and contents as soon as it's finished. You can register a script (in hardcopy form) with the Writer's Guild of America (west); you can also make a formal U.S. copyright application through the Library of Congress. Even more Legal Information appears on the main Writing page of this site.

GETTING ATTENTION: After the script is finished and registered, there are various ways to market it. One writer has chronicled his own personal saga in a website called From Query to Sale. Another avenue to consider while waiting for an agent to call back is to enter the script in contests. The MovieBytes Contest List not only lists many contests, but also provides contest information, updates, and hotlinks. An older, alternative source is the SCRNWRIT listerv FAQ's list of screenwriting competitions.

PITCHING VIA THE INTERNET: My personal advice is to stick with traditional methods for now. But if you want to take your chances, the misc.writing.screenplays newsgroup has published guidelines for soliciting screenplays [outdated link -- watch this space for an update!] to help producers seeking new material. It is also useful to writers and covers many of the security and privacy issues of online commerce in this field. To find out why these guidelines are a good idea, check out this Horror Story [revised URL] of one writer's battle with an "online agency."

SUCCESS: If your script gets sold, it'll probably be mentioned in the trade journals -- as well as the Done Deal page. Another good source of information is Filmtrack (formerly known as "Joann's Motion Picture Development Database.")[Revised URL].

HOW TO END A MOVIE: Famous Last Words (a special feature of The Online Communicator). Sometimes a writer saves the best dialogue for last.

MAKING MOVIES: Now that your script is finished, jump to the Film page for information about film production, distribution, and more.