Yesterday was a full day. I worked with students on seven screenplays, a web series and a novel, each one intriguing and original.
Even though the stories are very different, my advice to all of the writers (and to you) can be boiled down to these points:
Rewriting tips & tricks:
1. Keep it simple.
2. More active main character and villain or obstacle.
3. Create suspense.
For #1 make a list of all the information that leads to the resolution of the plot problem, then work to simplify it.
For #2 Ask yourself the third of The Four Magic Questions of Screenwriting: “Who or what would my main character ‘die’ for” (a literal or symbolic death) and make sure that the plot events push the hero or heroine toward a resolution.
For #3 remember my golden rule: Never tell your audience more than they need to know to understand the scene they are reading.
Once you’ve completed these three steps, I’m confident your script will be much sharper and you’ll find yourself even closer to a final draft.
Good luck and happy writing.
P.S. Look for my monthly script tip at MovieOutline.com for a more detailed discussion.
