www.actfourscreenplays.com How your screenplay should look when you submit to an agent, manager or production company in Hollywood. How to embed a proper title page in Final Draft. http Edited by Matt Stevenson. Original Music by Thomas Rydell [www.thomasrydell.se]

Last week I read the book One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer and quite enjoyed the wisdom that it had to offer.The basic premise of the book revolves around the fact that we can achieve any goal or change any challenging and difficult thing in our lives through simple, small baby steps forward.

  As I poured through the book it got me thinking about how some filmmakers (especially screenwriters) could benefit from this type of mindset. I know from my experiences that sitting down to write a feature length screenplay can sometimes become a painful test of will power and self discipline.  

So if you’re a writer, instead of sitting down and promising to write 5 pages before you get up…start by just writing for 5 minutes a day.

That’s it.

Once you have built up the habit of writing for 5 minutes…then stretch it to just 10 minutes working on your story everyday. Feel no pressure to increase your writing sessions.

Just work at your own pace. But I’m sure that as you continue to faithfully work on your story in 5,10 and 15 minute sessions you’ll easily build up your writing stamina to 30 minutes to one hour per day. Next time when the thought of writing your screenplay comes to mind and that small voice tells you that you’re too tired or too busy or not feeling inspired. Just walk right over to your computer, turn it on and invest just 5 minutes towards your future film.

Ian Agard is an independent writer/director/film producer commited to helping emerging filmmakers advance and achieve their dreams. You can learn more about him as well as his book “Stop Waiting and Make Your Movie” by visiting http://www.ianagard.com/how-to-finance-your-movie/.

Product Description
The Techniques of Screenplay Writing: A Book About the Dramatic Structure of Motion Pictures… More >>
The Techniques of Screenplay Writing: A Book About the Dramatic Structure of Motion Pictures

In order to properly write a screenplay which can be read without the distraction of jumping all over the place, you must start with an outline. There are script writing software programs available to help you get started. However the basics you need to know right now start with the organization of your outline. It should include the following elements: the Outline of the Story, Development of the Characters, Organization of the Scenes, and the Structure of the Acts.

When you progress to the final step of actually writing the script, keep these keys elements in mind.

1. Scene Headings: Each time you have a character or characters move to a new setting you must use a new Screen Heading. All words should be in CAPITAL LETTERS using abbreviations when possible to keep the heading shortened. For example:

EXT. DAY – EARLY MORNING – ON BRIDGE OUTSIDE OF TOWN

This would be used to describe these four elements of the scene heading.

A) Exterior shot (as opposed to interior),

B) During the day (as opposed to night),

C) In the early morning (the specifics of the light conditions)

D) On bridge outside of town (the setting).

2. Scene Descriptions: Follow the scene heading making certain to use ALL CAPS when introducing a character for the first time. For example: “JENNIFER drove up to the bridge slowly her neck craning to see out the windshield.”

3. Sounds: As part of the scene description, you should also capitalize sounds which will be heard by the audience. For example: “SCREECHING OF BRAKES when Jennifer slid into the guard rail.”

4. Character/Dialogue: Dialogue is written centered underneath the character name. It should always be centered in the page with the character’s name who is speaking in CAPITAL LETTERS above the dialogue. For example:

JENNIFER
Why did my car have to break down on this old bridge?

These basic steps will help you to write clearly defined scenes. This is the foundation on which you will want to work your way through your entire script when learning how to write a screenplay. Additionally you will clearly mark each Scene with a Scene Heading, and break down the different Acts within the larger frame of the script by labeling them as well.

If you follow the steps of Outlining the Story, Developing your Characters, Organizing the Scenes, and Structuring the Scenes before you begin to actually write the screens with the above format, you will produce a script which can be read and understood without distraction.

Enjoy YOUR journey in creating Hollywood’s next great movie. And remember, it all starts with these basic elements and your willingness to learn the proper way of how to write a screenplay.

Learn to tag production items in the Celtx screenwriting software in this free screenwriting software video. Expert: Drew Noah Bio: Drew Noah has a bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of Texas in Austin. He has been an Expert Village filmmaker for over two years. Filmmaker: Drew Noah