Screenwriting for Authors - Don't Make These Common Mistakes

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Day 177 :: perma-squint
Photo by Meredith_Farmer

Screenwriting differs greatly from writing a novel or a non-fiction book. It is a distinct medium and should be approached accordingly. It is a challenging form that even talented writers can master.

With this in mind, here are some common mistakes made by aspiring screenwriters. Hopefully, this article will help you avoid them and make your script or book more appealing to Hollywood.

STARTING TOO LATE – Novels often begin at a leisurely pace, with detailed scene descriptions and character backgrounds. However, because screenplays typically span a maximum of 120 pages, with much of it being white space, a screenplay needs to engage the audience early on.

UNNECESSARY DESCRIPTION – Screenplay descriptions should be minimal, providing enough information to convey the setting and overall tone. Leave the finer details to the director and/or creative team.

STATING THE OBVIOUS – One mistake novice screenwriters make is having characters explicitly state what the audience can already see on the screen. For example, if we are watching a track meet and John crosses the finish line first, it is unnecessary and dull to have a character say, “John won the race.”

FORMAT – Screenplays adhere to a strict structure. The first thing a producer or Hollywood reader (whose job is to review scripts for their superiors) checks is the formatting. Even a minor formatting error can result in the script being discarded without further consideration.

LENGTH – Movie scripts typically range from 90 to 120 pages, with around 100 pages being preferred. This is because one page of a screenplay is generally considered to translate into one minute of screen time. Industry professionals often avoid reading scripts that are the wrong length.

TOO MUCH DIALOGUE – One common mistake made by beginners is filling page after page with dialogue. Films primarily rely on visual storytelling . There should be a good balance between dialogue and physical action, with a preference for action. Action doesn’t necessarily mean weapon fights and car chases; it means the characters are actively doing something.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME