Jonathan Edward Young: Screenwriter in Alpharetta, Georgia.

I'm afraid I've never read the book. Instead, I pay readers one at a time to tell me a screenplay sucks. While readers range widely in their skill and even their approach to the task, they still read what you wrote. The best ones can identify and articulate critical issues (if there are any). The poorest ones can also be the great sounding boards; they're engaging like an audience member. They agreed to devote some time to your work, but you have to win and reward them. Look past the exact words of the poorly articulated critique to understand why they were not entertained or enlightened. Use their eyes to see if anything they felt resonates with that critic inside you that isn't completely convinced everything is working. You have to build a fan base for your movie, starting with the first person after yourself who reads it and loves it.

Developing and honing your own barometer for knowing and recognizing good writing is not only vital to your own work but a good skill set to have as well. This book gives you much to think about, certainly, if you are new to screenwriting. ;)

Great comments, thanks! Anyone have their own tip to share? What do you think makes a screenplay great?

Yeah I agree @Dan We must reserve vital energy for writing our stories, but any spare time no harm in research, sometimes the middle men can be cut out at screenwriters pitchfests. By that I mean Artist straight to Executive who hires them, no agents etc. Its a long shot, yeah, but numerous instances of success.

I read six books on the generations before I decided who to target. It was not the generation I expected, so I had to adjust the script. Mine is high budget (alas and alack), so I have been working on free filming location of 230 acres plus a village. That's the best I could do.

This thread is very informative! I have too wondered about this. Craig D Griffiths I'd be very grateful if you give he a heads up when you've published that blog. I'm very interested in reading more.

Wow! You really blew the lid off that one, Phil. :)

Beth, I too have to print it out and I will print out several versions even with just a few minor changes. I need a highlighter and to sit down not at a desk and scribble all over my pages. How long I go back to it is how long is a piece of string. Any amount of time to be honest. depends on my feels.

Thanks for sharing your process Cherie Grant ^_^

Thank you Jon! I just pitched it today with great results! I’m super excited. It was fun to write.

Thanks for sharing your article, Danny. Very helpful. I found myself nodding as I read it. LOL! :) It truly helps to break down all these writing tools and elements and consider them more strategically. I'm currently honing on where things need to fall to better build tension and pacing, more scene by scene and beat by beat structure, not just major turns. So examining other scripts have been helpful too.

Hey, Jim, I'm happy to hear this discussion has caused you to reflect and reconsider things. I think we all naturally add elements to our stories, but it's often when we better tap into tools and how to use them for effect is when our writing elevates—at least, that's my thinking. Lol! Anyway, you're most welcome. And thank you for your kind words. ;)

Great article Danny Manus

I just thought of something else that has nothing to do with the script itself. Without going into a "lecture" about reading levels--something I used a lot as a teacher--the original Black Beauty's lexile score comes in at a 7th grade reading level. This means a 9 year old--unless he is an advanced reader-- would have difficulty reading the story. If you use the passage, make sure that you mention elsewhere in the script that James is an advanced reader--just set it up to make James reading the book realistic. Audiences are smart--educators in the audiences would question the reading level.

Thanks Patricia I'll definitely keep that in mind and work it in somewhere.

Dan I'll be sure to look those names up and see how they do it and how it works

Tnx Scott. I'll be sure to find my own copy too

Thank you everyone. Really kind of you to pitch in.

Registering with the Library of Congress is best. You can always register it with the WGA when you're on the verge of a sale to a WGA signatory company or after. The only thing it will do is help you fight for proper credit on the project if they dump you as the writer and try to assign the writing credits to other people. A friend of mine was able to retain the written by credit on a big feature when his big time director tried to steal credit for the script. The WGA arbitrated and the director lost and the company abided by the decision.

I spoke to WGA and they said we recommend everyone to do "both".

Awesome Phil! I appreciate that bro. Will surely take you up on that offer when the time arises. And know that my chat is open anytime as well

Wow Craig first off congrats on the feature! I guess the main thing isn't exactly the length but the quality of the story in the script

Thanks, it was a single room, three character thriller. Basically 60 pages of dialogue. If it was a normal script it would have been 90 pages I am guessing.

Thank you very much Beth. Those were some of my best movies. I've read the plot for John Wick already, and I actually have the script for The Matrix but I avoided reading it for fear of being overwhelmed with greatness haha I'd have to suck it up in the name of improving and developing my craft

I actually considered that Spider-Man Anthony. I guess I should go ahead and give it a read as well. Thanks bro

Ah! Thank you so very much Bill! Very detailed response, and I didn't look at it from that perspective but it makes so much sense what you're saying. I appreciate you taking the time to give that feedback, definitely widened my knowledge and helped. I'm going to give it my best shot... Teaser: it's going to be a spy action :)

Hey Jan. I'm collaborating on a comedy with my partner in LA and finalizing a treatment for a period actioner on my own. Just relocated to Atlanta, and delighted to find such a thriving community.

Thank you so much for invitation, Jonathon. Look forward to a meetup with other Alpharettans/Georgia-folk in the biz... :)