How to Write A "Winning" Screenplay

So you want to write a screenplay huh? Anyone can write a screenplay, yes anyone! But not everyone can write a good screenplay. So, you think you've got it, huh? You think that you have the next Good Will Hunting, or Mystic River in your arms? We'll see. Have you got the ten steps covered?

1. Format

Your screenplay must be formatted according to certain guidlines. If the spacing and formatting ain't right, the studio execs. are not going to even bother with your screenplay. Great software such as Final Draft can format your screenplay for you, as it is basically the screenwriter's Microsoft Word. There is also a free screenwriting software called Celtx which can format your script as well, just not as perfectly as something like Final Draft can. If you are in need of more info, see how to format a screenplay. Now on to the next step.

2. Story

Hey, it's gotta have one right? Your story must be original. Read that over and over again about 10 times. It has to be original. Now by original, I don't meant that it has to be some totally alien story that nobody has heard of before. However, there must be something in that screenplay that makes it stand out and look different from all other screenplays. For example, don't be so quick to write a story with a cop as the main character, and make him an alcoholic whose suffering from some unknown past, and has to "find himself" through battling his inner demons as he goes on some epic and heroic journey(like I haven't heard that one before). It can't be that straightforward, right? But the basic story isn't what makes it original or not, it's the execution of that story. So how do we make it original.

3. Three-Dimensional Characters.

Unless you are writing some naive kiddie flick, or brainless action movie (none of which have "winning" stories) you need to have some 3D characters, otherwise, your film will be pretty "flat" (yes, the pun was intended). Your characters need to have real depth to them. Look at the people you know. There is more to the mailman than meets the eye right? Maybe he loathes his job, or maybe he is the passionate type who does his job because his father was a mailman and his grandfather and his- (you get the point)! In other words, don't be typical! People are as different from each other as snowflakes are on Christmas Day.

4. Avoid Cliche

Avoid cliche at all costs! AT ALL COSTS! Cliche remarks, dialogue, and even locations (i.e. THE LOCAL BAR) make your screenplay sound cheesy. For example, lets say that two cops are talking to each other and one asks the other "Why, do you do this job?" Then the other guy thinks and says something like "Because I want to 'protect and serve'." That is the corniest and most overused line you could think of. Don't do that, instead have him say something like "I do this job because... because it feels right; to walk to the beat of the city, and breath it's air, to protect it at all costs. It just feels right."

Now that sure isn't cliche, it sounds fancy, but it's not over done either. Remember to always try to avoid cliche.

5. Write Vividly

When you write, use vivid words that capture the imagination but don't overdo it either. For example don't just write, "we are at a bar, and our main character finds a decent chair to sit in." Now, the only reason why I can sort of visualize the scene, is because I know what a bar looks like, but it doesn't explain enough, Lets see if we can do better. "We are at a bar, a musty, ugly, smoke filled bar, full of low down drunks that smell as bad as they look. We see the typical dartboard on the wall and the usual run down pool table that has seen years of abuse. The floors are messy with peanut shells crunching underfoot." Now that is a much better description, but it is a little over done. We want to write vividly, but don't overdo it. This paragraph is better off being cut short at the first sentence.

6. Write Simply

You must write vividly, but be vivid and simple at the same time. Don't get Shakespearean-like unless your writing something related to that kind of topic. Just be concise, vivid, simple, and get your point across.

7. Conflict

There must be some sort of conflict in your screenplay, whether the character is on the run from the mob, or a family is in debt up to their eyeballs, have a conflict.

8. Study, Study, Study

Study all of the great Oscar winning films, particularly the ones that won Best Original Screenplay or Best Adapted Screenplay. You can learn a lot by listening to the dialogue of the film. You can also view scripts and transcripts of actual feature films and TV shows at imsdb.com

9. Don't Be Preachy

Whatever your agenda is four your film, don't preach. Life isn't always full of straightforward lessons in morality or social issues. So don't be so straightforward. Be subtle and let the lives of the characters teach the lessons to the audience by example.

10. Rewrite

You're probably thinking "What?" Yes, you need to rewrite your script, and check for anything you can improve upon. Make your screenplay as "perfect" as you possibly can, but at the same time, do not compromise your passion or your message.

So, have you got these ten steps down pat? If you do, you are well on your way to developing a winning screenplay. I hope that this information was truly helpful to all of you writers.