Screenwriting for Smarties

As you go browsing the local bookstore for a decent copy of The Hollywood Standard or The Screenwriter's Bible, you might come across a book titled "Screenwriting for Dummies". Browsing thru the book you will notice it has some decent information in there, at least much better than 90% of the junk out there. It seems like everyone that has written a script, potentially sold their spec, or maybe never written a script in they're entire life have come up with a viable income selling books on how to write and format a screenplay, sometimes in thirty days or less. Sometimes in twenty days or less. No template to make a huge cash settlement for three days worth of writing yet, but with some luck there will be.

Now before you go on thinking that you've read all the books by William Goldman, Robert McKee, and Blake (RIP)Snyder: please listen up.

Story is story. The story doesn't change whether you change written technicalities or not. If you're story stinks, then it doesn't matter if it the format is right. Now for the other billions of screenwriters out there that don't have Victor Hugo finger clicking all day, format is what will make script reader lives a little less angry and less liable to toss your piece of vile filth(sorry to be blunt) into the trash.

William Goldman says it best. "Nobody knows anything." That is the essence of Screenwriting for Smarties. Save yourself the money, the time, and the anguish. The best way and the honest way to write is in these steps below.

1. Read.

2. Write.

3. Watch movies.

4. Repeat steps 1,2,3.

If you are not a screenwriter, but a writer of news articles, or novels, step 3 is not necessary.

Don't listen to anyone, just write your story. If you don't know how to format a script, have someone that has the know-how to ghost-write it and pay them a grand a week. This is cheap labor compared to what you will actually receive when the film is made. The only worry you'll have after this is if the company you sell it to wants a sequel from you.

With that, screenwriting books are worthless. They only make you seem smart by having books on your bookshelf. Writing is a humble profession. Humble yourself, but don't forget to show your work, otherwise no one will know to option it, so you can pay your bills.

Good luck and have fun!