[Roderick Usher]

all right, Vod here goes.

You obviously have a solid grasp of literature, film etc and the desire to write, so I'll just get to the nuts and bolts of it.

Have you read any screenwriting books? Most of them are worthless, but you need to grab The Screenwriter's Bible by Dave Trottier. It is the most comprehensive guide to all the technical crap that makes a screenplay work. But don't take anyone's word as absolute Gospel, you'll find what works for you.

You should be accutely aware of a three-act structure to your story-telling. It is the language of film. I know it sounds formulaic, but it is actually quite liberating once you get it down.

You must be precise and simple in your action lines/charater descriptions. Break up big blocks of action into individual beats -- this keeps the reader's eye moving down the page at a rapid rate and gives the impression of "speed" - readers love a fast script.

I've come up with my own "rules" that I use to keep my writing on track.

they are:

1. Every scene must drive the story forward

2. Every scene must reveal or reinforce character

3. Mood and tone should be established early and reinforced often

4. Exposition should be handled through or during action

5. Drafts should work their way up the body:
- First draft from the gut (or lower)
- Second draft from the heart
- Subsequent drafts are headwork


Making Characters POP

The key to making a character leap off the page is to know him/her as a real person before you type FADE IN:

A handy tool to get to know your characters is to answer the following 10 questions in as much detail as possible:

1. What is the one thing your character loves most in this world? Why?
2. Where is he/she from? Is the character proud of it? Ashamed?
3. Was childhood happy? Boring? Traumatic?
4. When (if ever) was virginity lost – and in what way?
5. Was he/she raised with religion? Is it still a part of their life? How does religion affect his/her decisions?
6. What’s the character’s favorite food? Color? Movie? Book? Magazine? Sports team?
7. Under what circumstances would your character lie? Why?
8. How does he/she typically react to setbacks?
9. What is his/her greatest fear? Why? How does he/she react when frightened?
10. What is his/her deepest secret shame? (we all have one)

Even if we never use this information in the script, the connection you will form with the character will be dramatically enhanced by the process.

hope this helps!
:D