There are many screenwriting, scriptwriting and creative writing courses from 2 or 3-day seminars to university degree courses, but if a writer is serious about becoming a successful screenwriter for film or television, there are many things that he or she will have to learn outside of the classroom.
The three most important things that every writer must learn and learn to deal with are:
- Dialogue comes out of actors' mouths
- Unique talent can't be taught
- There is no justice
Dialogue Comes out of Actors' Mouths
Dialogue isn't made for the page, it is made to be performed by actors. It may seem like an obvious statement, but writers never really start learning about dialogue until they hear it - and that means hearing it out loud, not in your head. No amount of perfecting words and dialogue in a script on the page can prepare a writer for hearing actors reading or performing their lines. I have seen advice such as "read your script aloud" but I have heard writers reading their own lines aloud and there is a reality gap between what those writers hear, and what the rest of the world hears.
The only way any writer will be able to judge their lines is to hear them performed. Even then, some would-be writers are sufficiently deluded that they can persuade themselves that bad jokes and clumsy lines are beautiful, but the gifted writers, who can exercise some objectivity will learn a lot from finding actors and having their screenplay read aloud.
How does a writer find actors who might read for no payment?
- Amateur dramatics groups
- Acting schools
- Local school or college university drama departments
Approach an established group and see if they would be interested in working with you on, and even performing in public, a rehearsed reading.
Unique Talent Can't Be Taught
There is a lot of useful material to be gleaned from studying the art of scriptwriting, such as studying well-written movies, and analysing what makes them great. However, never get caught up in the belief that there is a formula or a recipe for a successful script. The thing that will give your script the greatest chance of success is that indefinable quality that your unique talent brings to it.
There are a lot of valuable "crafting" techniques that can be learned, and that have been passed down by writers through the ages, but never stifle your innate talent, and learn to trust your instinct. Those are the things that will make you stand out above the rest when you try to sell your work.
There Is No Justice
No matter how much talent you have, there is no guarantee of success. No one can equip you to deal with the rejections and difficulties you will encounter en route to getting your career off the ground. The strength to carry you through has to be found from within.
You have to learn to be strong and you have to learn to be ingenious to keep on coming up with ways and means to get your screenwriting career off the ground and then to stay employed as a scriptwriter. If you haven't got the resilience and ingenuity required for that, then give up now.
Find out more about the basics of writing for the stage and screen.
Janice Hally - Janice Hally has written more than 300 broadcast hours of prime-time TV drama in the UK, as well as fiction and non-fiction books.
