How do you write a movie script?

I have a few great movie ideas and would love to put them on paper, but writing a 300 page story isn’t easy. there must be some advice/techniques that professional writers use…

300 pages? How’s about closer to 90-120 pages. Tops.

Learn proper screenplay format. There’s an EXCELLENT book for this, called the Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trottier. Dave’s site is:

http://www.keepwriting.com

You should also read as many scripts as you can. This will teach you formatting, how a screenwriter communicates ideas, and the necessary brevity you need in both dialogue and description.

You can read screenplays here:

www.script-o-rama.com
www.imsdb.com
www.simplyscripts.com

Once you’ve done your homework, you’re ready to write. You need software (that’s not a “you should get” or “it’s a good idea” its’s you NEED software) to format your screenplay properly.

There are two ways to do this: the cheap, broke-down way or the proper and professional way.

You can use celtx – which is free, and available here:

www.celtx.com

The proper and professional way, however, is to use either Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter. These are industry standard formatting programs. I’ve used both, and I prefer Movie Magic Screenwriter.

You can get these programs here:

www.screenplay.com
www.finaldraft.com

Once you’ve written your masterpiece, you need to register it (professional screenwriters register rather than copyright; the production company you sell your screenplay to will do that). You can register your screenplay here:

www.wgawregistry.org

Get a copy of the Hollywood Representation Directory, and find an agent or a manager that represents the type/genre of screenplay you write. These people will work for you and get your screenplay sold. Remember that they work for YOU, not the other way around.

DO NOT send your screenplay – or a part of it to anyone. You write a query letter to get the agent/manager. Once you’ve done that, you give them the screenplay and they shop it.

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