Screenwriting : Today's Wish and Creative Tip by Laurie Ashbourne

The Screenwriter’s Conundrum Stating what happened isn’t storytelling. Storytelling is so much more than a retelling of events, yet screenwriters are commanded to NOT write in heavy prose, or word for word dialogue. In fact, the script is usually referred to as a blueprint for the film. I ask you, when was the last time you were gripped and on the edge of your seat by reading a blueprint? Each day this week, I’ll offer a nugget that can help your screenplay build with blocks of emotion, as a good story should. Today: BEEFY BITS ONLY If your story were a steak, make it a filet mignon, thick and juicy, no fat or bone to cut around, (though for me I’d much rather dive into a rare tuna steak than a Mad Cow’s, but I digress). Instead of trying to present what happened, think about what FEELING is encompassed in each scene, and then work to create those feelings. Make that juicy beef moo so it conjures the same taste in the reader’s mouth. Edit yourself down to the main flesh of the idea, and leave out the boring, superfluous details, redundancies and connectors. One of the more common things I see is something described in action that is either described twice; things like: she cried out in agony mourning her love as they laid him to rest, follows the description of the casket getting covered in dirt. When really all we need is a shot that depicts that agony… Her wails erupt and drown out the preacher’s prayer. Another bit of gristle is a description of a character about to say something: He told her exactly what he felt, is immediately followed by a line of dialogue where he does just that. In other words, get to the beefy point. Use sound, visuals and dialogue to CONVEY AND CONJURE THE VISCERAL -- not the obvious. Have wonderful week, make is positive, productive and prosperous -- make it count.