Screenwriting : New to Screenwriting by Nikovia Smith

Hi, Nikovia. I suggest fleshing out your idea into a more concrete outline. There are some great books and videos you can learn from as well.

Some readings: John Truby and Robert McKee

Obviously you have to start writing, whether it's with help or without, to begin crafting a viable screenplay. You have to realistically develop/ascertain your skills and adapt accordingly to your dreams. You need to set realistic goals and take the required steps necessary to reach those goals. Be dedicated and be diligent. Dream big, but don't kid yourself. You can do it, but good writing is hard work. Don't let your ego get in the way of learning and evolving. If you want to get in the game, learn the rules and keep writing in a productive manner. Oh, and have FUN.

My advice is different to most people:

1) read screenplays.

2) read screenplays of films you enjoy while watching the film.

3) read screenplays at a story level. What does that scene do. What is different at the end. Who changed, who won, what did we learn, what was resolved, what was started.

4) write a short film. perhaps one side of a phone call and then film it. You will

learn a lot doing this.

5) consider this every second point - keep reading screenplays.

6) find some good podcasts. the two best are “scriptnotes” and “draft-zero”.

7) write down 20 ideas. This is so you learn ideas are easy. turning them into a story and then a screenplay is hard.

8) keep writing.

You’ll notice I have not suggested read any books. Books are someone’s understanding of exactly what I have explained above. You should develop your own understanding of the craft. NOT develop your understanding of the craft based on someone else’s understanding of the craft.

Books are sold as shortcuts. I’d much rather do something because it achieves what I want. Not because a book tells me that I need it.

I hope this helps

I would start with an outline of the story. Flush it out, then work on how to break down each scene and the context of each scene. Once you have it flushed out, work on character development, then, as suggested previously, research proper format. Once you get it all wrapped up, find people you can trust for an honest opinion and fine tune it.

Read some books on screenwriting.

Thank you all for the great advice !!! I've started writing already I've just got stuck in the transitions and how to get to the meaning and basis of the story I've read some screenplays already that helped but thank you all again any elaboration would be helpful

what are some good downloads for screenplay writing I'm on page 10

You're asking the right questions at least. Spend time figuring out the real meaning and basis of your story and keep that firmly in mind as you imagine revealing that information within the confines of your plot. A screenplay does not have unlimited possibilities. You're making very specific choices that are constrained by time, pages, character, etc. You have to get from point A to point B to point C and so on in a limited number of steps. Anything that detracts from the real meaning and basis of your story is a misstep. Your transitions should reflect that. Ask yourself how do I get from "here" to the next critical "there" while staying true to your underlying story? What feels like or presents itself as the most direct, organic and compelling next step? Measure your transitions agains those answers.

Nikovia try searching YouTube; there are all sorts of screenwriting instructionals out there. They range from ho-hum to pretty good and most have some little pearls of wisdom. Mostly they all say similar stuff.

What I've discovered and pass on to others it's a step-by-step process that holds for anything you're writing. I start with Step One as outlined in my book even before I see the ladder. It's a trial and error process -- but nobody gets killed except in your scripts. https://bbemaildelivery.com/bbext/?p=email&id=c906398f-79a9-c017-2163-63706dc17f99

For things to read I always suggest:

Hell or High Water

It has a great mix of description, action and how to direct on the page. It is a masterclass in visual story telling.

Thank you all! Craig D Griffiths i will check that out and Neal Howard you are spot on !its getting to point A to B! but I have the meaning but its so much i want to write and make the connection but i have to write and go from there and press on would love feed back from you all when finished also editing Doug Nelson I've tried that as well it helps but a little vague thank you all again <3

Hell or High Water is a great script/movie!