how do one become a screenwriter?

Question

i really have great ideas but just to put them together is the problem.so i want to know what exactly to do.Do i simple get up and write a script or do i need to jot things down first?

Answer 1

1. Consider applying to film school for both the experience and the contacts. (See "How to Apply to Film School" under Related eHows).

2. Seek an apprenticeship under an experienced and successful screenwriter, if possible. Do this through networking and letter writing.

3. Go to a film or theater bookstore and buy a book on screenwriting, such as "Screenplay" by Syd Field.

4. Complete one to three scripts and submit them to agents as "specs" (see glossary). Literary agents are listed in directories in New York City and Los Angeles.

5. Make the screenplays fit different genres - comedy, action, drama or romantic comedy - depending on your strengths.

6. Apply for a job working as a coveragist or story editor at a film studio. You'll read scripts that are sent to the studio, report on the plot and tone, and help determine if they're worth producing.

7. Send any industry contact (producer, actor, cameraperson, etc.) a copy of your latest screenplay. You never know who knows who in the film industry, and to improve your chances of getting your script produced, you want to expose your work to as many people as possible.

Tips:
Register your screenplays with the Library of Congress and the Writers Guild of America to protect your ideas as your own property.

Network! Meet as many people in the film industry as possible.

A position as a coveragist gives you the opportunity to read lots of different scripts; it's an excellent way to research your craft.

Answer 2

First, work on your typing and English skills. No one will take you seriously if your script is full of typos!

You can buy a program like Scriptware that will automatically format the script in a professional manner that agents are used to seeing.

Take some writing classes at your local community college. Get some books on scriptwriting and work on your weaknesses (e.g. some people are great at dialog, but their character development is weak).

Then, when you have something good - register your script with the Writer's Guild so no one can rip you off and say it was their idea first. This is NOT the same as getting a copyright and it is cheaper.

Then get an agent. Most of them are in L.A., but you don't have to move there. No actor, director or producer will look at your stuff in case it's similar to something they're working on. That way, you can't say it was your idea and sue them.

Good luck! You might want to try novels or magazine short stories first; it's a lot easier to get those published.

Answer 3

The best approach is to write down the ideas that you have (these are called your beats.)

To wit.

Man dates woman.

Woman dumps man because he stinks in bed.

Man sees woman with another man who possesses a massive member.

Man feels that all women really want are guys with big parts.

Tries to increase size of member.

Problems ensue.

Once the beats are taken care of, you flesh out the in-between scenes.

Once you have a fairly good skeleton of an outline, you now really fill it in with dialogue and motivation. This is where additional ideas come to the forefront and where rewriting and tweaking make their appearance.

Generally speaking, keep you scripts between 90-130 pages. A good rule is The 120 Rule (120 pages = 120 minutes)

Let me recommend three web sites.

Zoetrope.com; triggerstreet.com; cinefuse.com.

These are locations where you can post your script and get (fairly unbiased) reviews so you can present the best script you can.

You will have to read a minumum or scripts before you can post, but you can see a variety of styles and approaches that may help you in your goal.

Once you feel that the script is at its zenith, you will need an agent to get it into the right hands.

No studio accepts unsolicited scripts and you can't hope that you'll win some script contest (like Scriptapalooza or Project GreenLight) to make your picture.

Go to netfilm.com for a listing of contests, if you wish to go that way.

Contact the Writer's Guild of America for agents that have been helpful in getting first-time writers going in a positive direction.

Answer 4

Even if you have a great script you have to have someone with a lot of money to back you. Even then you pretty much have to know the right people in Hollywood.

Answer 5

you definitely need to take a workshop or a college course for a little while. ideas are one thing but to format a professional screenplay so that someone will read it is a whole different aspect of writing. it takes patience to get it down, but i would go to a book store and rent some old screenplays and some new screenplays and examine their differences and formats.

Answer 6

Google screenwriting and learn how to from the net. Then practice a lot. Then submit them.

Answer 7

Write a great screenplay, submit it, and keep your fingers crossed!

Answer 8

By submitting your work. Going to school I guess too.