Top 3 Screenwriting Tips from Michael Tabb
Tip # 1: Here is a huge gap in content availability created by Covid. What are you waiting for? Make your own project! Equipment is more accessible than ever. You have a better chance at getting picked up now that there are more content outlets than ever in the history of the medium. That said, it must be fantastic as possible. Nobody wants his or her name on a bad film. So, surround yourself with people far more talented (ego-less) craftsmen than you and learn from them every day. Put in the time, make it great, and if your film never gets picked up, you just paid for the best and most powerful film school a filmmaker can have – real experience.
Tip # 2: Write for you and what you have learned that resonates powerfully within you. Trends change and writers cannot write to today’s trends because they are passed by the time the script is ready. So, write smart, write now, right now. Write something that matters based on what you see going on around you that needs correcting. That makes it timely. What you may lack in craftsmanship may shine through in heart.
Tip # 3: Honestly, I have to say, read my book. It has hundreds of story creation tips in it stemming from every great teacher and writer I’ve known, over twelve years of WGA writing experience, all wrapped into a single set of building blocks. I make a pittance on the publication of it. I specifically wrote it for the same reason I co-created the WGA’s Mentor Program. I wanted to share all I know and help the next generation to become better writers. This first book is my love letter to the state of story crafting and screenwriting, and making sense of how it is constructed when done well. It was the only way I knew I could share all I’ve learned and understand about my craft long after I’m dead. I truly hope it helps you find your way.
(Prewriting Your Screenplay with Michael Tabb)
Tip # 1: Here is a huge gap in content availability created by Covid. What are you waiting for? Make your own project! Equipment is more accessible than ever. You have a better chance at getting picked up now that there are more content outlets than ever in the history of the medium. That said, it must be fantastic as possible. Nobody wants his or her name on a bad film. So, surround yourself with people far more talented (ego-less) craftsmen than you and learn from them every day. Put in the time, make it great, and if your film never gets picked up, you just paid for the best and most powerful film school a filmmaker can have – real experience.
Tip # 2: Write for you and what you have learned that resonates powerfully within you. Trends change and writers cannot write to today’s trends because they are passed by the time the script is ready. So, write smart, write now, right now. Write something that matters based on what you see going on around you that needs correcting. That makes it timely. What you may lack in craftsmanship may shine through in heart.
Tip # 3: Honestly, I have to say, read my book. It has hundreds of story creation tips in it stemming from every great teacher and writer I’ve known, over twelve years of WGA writing experience, all wrapped into a single set of building blocks. I make a pittance on the publication of it. I specifically wrote it for the same reason I co-created the WGA’s Mentor Program. I wanted to share all I know and help the next generation to become better writers. This first book is my love letter to the state of story crafting and screenwriting, and making sense of how it is constructed when done well. It was the only way I knew I could share all I’ve learned and understand about my craft long after I’m dead. I truly hope it helps you find your way.
(Prewriting Your Screenplay with Michael Tabb)