How to begin screenwriting

Hey @Ekalavya and welcome to our community!

The first step in becoming a screen writer is to actually start writing a draft. The more you write, the better you will become. Then, you need to learn the structure of a script, which you can do by studying other existing scripts that you can find online. There are also programs that can be used for this purpose, such as StudioBinder, Final Draft 10, Movie Magic Screenwriter, Celtx Basic Scriptwriting Software and so on. Taking an online course or going to workshops also help. On Coursera, you can see a few examples of Screenwriter Courses. Joining a screenwriter group or online community will help you get feedback for your work and usually, when attending Coursera, or other type of classes, these kind of groups form online. Then, after you have gained the know-how, you need to start writing and working on an actual script and create a portfolio. From my knowledge, the first 10 pages are crucial to get your script turned into a movie. :)

Hope this helps!
 
At first, you need to be relaxed and understand that we all start from somewhere. Nobody was born with the knowledge and skills to do any task. To learn screenwriting, you need many attempts to write. It is like going to the gym, the more you go, the easier it gets and the easier you make those exercises correctly. Leaving the metaphor aside, you need to write even if it's not a good script. From your failures you will learn and you will write better. Watch online tutorials, read books about this or even attend courses, whatever works for you. You need to gain the theoretical knowledge from somewhere.
Having the theory combined with actual writing are the most important things you can do for your career. You also need to be determined and write something, even if you write only a few lines, every day. It's harder until you get to write your first lines, inspiration comes by doing.
 
write, write, write and write some more! anytime, anywhere, about anything! about your daily life, about something from your imagination. then focus on giving those characters some personality. focus on creating a mood. setting the vibe. get inspiration from others that already write good scripts. ask for feedback.
 
Hey @Ekalavya and welcome to our community!

The first step in becoming a screen writer is to actually start writing a draft. The more you write, the better you will become. Then, you need to learn the structure of a script, which you can do by studying other existing scripts that you can find online. There are also programs that can be used for this purpose, such as StudioBinder, Final Draft 10, Movie Magic Screenwriter, Celtx Basic Scriptwriting Software and so on. Taking an online course or going to workshops also help. On Coursera, you can see a few examples of Screenwriter Courses. Joining a screenwriter group or online community will help you get feedback for your work and usually, when attending Coursera, or other type of classes, these kind of groups form online. Then, after you have gained the know-how, you need to start writing and working on an actual script and create a portfolio. From my knowledge, the first 10 pages are crucial to get your script turned into a movie. :)

Hope this helps!
Hi Maura,

Thank you. That was exhaustive.

Regards,

Ekalavya
 
At first, you need to be relaxed and understand that we all start from somewhere. Nobody was born with the knowledge and skills to do any task. To learn screenwriting, you need many attempts to write. It is like going to the gym, the more you go, the easier it gets and the easier you make those exercises correctly. Leaving the metaphor aside, you need to write even if it's not a good script. From your failures you will learn and you will write better. Watch online tutorials, read books about this or even attend courses, whatever works for you. You need to gain the theoretical knowledge from somewhere.
Having the theory combined with actual writing are the most important things you can do for your career. You also need to be determined and write something, even if you write only a few lines, every day. It's harder until you get to write your first lines, inspiration comes by doing.
Hi Oskar.

Thank you.

Ekalavya
 
write, write, write and write some more! anytime, anywhere, about anything! about your daily life, about something from your imagination. then focus on giving those characters some personality. focus on creating a mood. setting the vibe. get inspiration from others that already write good scripts. ask for feedback.
Hi Robert,

Thank you.

Regards,

Ekalavya
 
While you're write, write, writing, read the attached stuff in order to build craftsmanship. It may be a little out of date, but it's fundamentally correct. This stuff will help you learn the basics of formatting correctly, and formatting is everything for a beginner.
After that, you tackle Story Structure.
Good writing!
 

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I'd also like to add...
When you're not sure what to write...
Read...

Here are some good books...

Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect, 5th Edition:
https://studentfilmmakersstore.com/...ng-short-screenplays-that-connect-5th-edition

Prewriting Your Screenplay: A Step-by-Step Guide to Generating Stories
https://studentfilmmakersstore.com/...-step-guide-to-generating-stories-1st-edition

Write to TV, 3rd Edition
https://studentfilmmakersstore.com/...eries-writing-for-the-digital-age-2nd-edition

Next Level Screenwriting: Insights, Ideas and Inspiration for the Intermediate Screenwriter
https://studentfilmmakersstore.com/...for-the-intermediate-screenwriter-1st-edition

Scriptwriting for Web Series: Writing for the Digital Age
https://studentfilmmakersstore.com/...eries-writing-for-the-digital-age-2nd-edition
 

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