HOW TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY (SCRIPT) PT. 7

HOW TO AVOID COMMON SCREENWRITING MISTAKES
You might be writing your script to complete a personal goal, or just feel it is a story that you need to tell and will be satisfied by just completing it. You may also have the intention or goal of actually selling your screenplay. Whatever the case, if you're going to write something that anyone will read, try to make it well worth the reader's time. Provide good quality and content.

If you're looking to see your name on the big screen, "Readers", in the industry, are the professionals that will (we hope) be the ones reading your script. They stand between you and production companies and executives. Readers are the important front line on the battlefield of screenplay success: they "pass" on the poor scripts, might give a "consider" to something with potential, or stamp it with the all too (very) uncommon "recommend".

Readers are quick wits, they've seen (or read) it all, you're not going to reinvent the wheel and surprise them. You will, however, get some form of their respect if you do not plague them with all of the novice scripting mistakes that they have to deal with on a daily basis.

Be kind to the readers, they want the read to go well just as much as you do, so help them by helping yourself: avoid common mistakes.

And even if you're not planning on going to Hollywood, but your friends and family will be subjected to reading your script, the best way you can thank them in advance is by making it a good read.

Many "pro readers" have blogs on the web, and they're not shy about posting what they can't stand reading anymore. Let's take a look at some of the most basic common complaints.

*Improper format: the program I link you to will handle all of that, and you have access to scripts online to double-check your work. There is no excuse for lack good form.

*Poor spelling, grammar and / or punctuation: if a reader has to read a line twice, you've done something wrong. They're not there to decipher your work, it shouldn't be written in code. If you have a great story to tell and do a good job of it with dialogue, but have a typo on every page, you are showing a lack of professionalism. It's like sticking your reader in the eye with a pen, you're interrupting the flow.

Use spell check, even your email program has it, there is no excuse nowadays. Don't put in seven exclamation points, they'll get the idea with just one or two at most. Ellipsis... and improper use... thereof... is a common... complaint. Hyphens too- look up the proper use online or "when it doubt, leave it out". Don't use "much to my chagrin" unless you know exactly what that means. Capitals are for the characters, first introduction thereof, scene descriptions, transitions and sounds. If you want to get fancy with them then read a few William "Bill" Goldman action scripts, if not, leave them out.

Storyline: sentences with improper flow, not moving forward, flashbacks, reiterating the same thing often, being "on the nose" which we talked about earlier in the series, scenes or dialogue with no rhyme or reason to even be in the script, wrong sequence, missing or unexplained resolutions, improper structure, not enough "backstory" on characters, improper arc or lack thereof, use of clichés, missing character traits, excessive reference to character traits, characters explaining things, narration, failure to understand the difference between the use of voiceover and offscreen dialogue, excessive lines of action, parantheticals with every line, overly predictable plots, lack of sub-plots... the list goes on.

Don't let this scare you off from writing your script. As you write, you will learn, and rewrite accordingly. You will also learn by reading scripts, following reader's suggestions or rants in their online posts, and by checking out a few books on the craft. But, I suggest you get down to the writing, and do it often, it's one of the best ways to learn.

Try to balance your writing with your research time; if you're spending all of your time online then you should be dedicating half of those hours to writing.

Stick to your outline, character traits, motivations, wants, needs, the plot, and three act structure and you will be okay, at least for now. And always remember to make the story move forward, give each scene and line a purpose or reason.

In the analogy of a man building a home, anyone would notice and be stymied by an unexplained, unfinished attachment which had no practical purpose, yet the builder dubbed it to be a work of art. Give your house (screenplay) a solid foundation, make the style (genre) apparent to every viewer from the curbside, create a practical floorplan (act structure) and design each room (scene) for a specific purpose, and decorate it accordingly. Create a unique home (script) that a vast majority would like, especially if you plan on selling it.

Here's a link to a professional reader's posts on the subject, have a good read!

The Unknown Screenwriter: is affectionately know as "UNK" in the screenwriting community. His series on common screenwriting mistakes are informative as well as humorous. Reading this will enlighten you as to what pro readers have to endure on a daily basis.

"UNK" is available on Twitter, where he recently posted a link to this site, so we thank him (of course!).

COMMON SCREENWRITING MISTAKES SERIES
http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/common-screenwriting-mistakes-part-1/screenwriting/mistakes/2006/07/06/