To get you past the first wall of readers. Most spec scripts submitted to competitions and festivals look alike in ways that these gifs and articles encourage you to avoid. That’s about it.
Read more30 PAGES OF SETUP
Diversity Will Not Hurt Your Script
PACING
BAD PACING: There is an idea set up that something is going to happen, and then nothing dramatic happens. And that keeps looping. GOOD PACING: Something is about to happen. Something completely unexpected happens. Then, CAR! Then garbage cans are flying everywhere. New problem. And the lawn still isn’t mowed.
Read moreREALLY QUIPPY DIALOGUE
WHY FLASH FORWARD IS A PROBLEM
The most convincing argument I can make against starting your spec with the backstory and then jumping forward in time is this: Casablanca doesn’t open in Paris. Start in the now and set up your now problem. Use the backstory to escalate in your second act. It will elevate your game like crazy.
Read moreGETTING EXPOSITION FROM TV NEWS
THE FIRST TEN PAGES TURN OUT TO BE A FLASHBACK
Song Titles in Action Lines?
I am married to a musician and I hear lots and lots of music, new and old. There are fifty hours of Later with Jools Holland on my DVR right now. But I am still not familiar with your favorite band, so when I read song titles in your description lines, I don’t know what…
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