Keys To Writing Your Screenplay

 Keep butt in seat.

Write anything. DO NOT EDIT.

DO NOT tell anyone about your idea. Why? It kills the energy because many well intentioned people ask questions and most of their questions are logistical, long winded exploratory shit that bogs down a solid story. This is about movies. NOT logic. The logic works in your universe.

Finish what you start. Regardless of what you wrote is good or not. KEEP WRITING. I know, you think it sucks.  You probably drive around hating yourself and your story. You aren't alone. Most writers hate their stuff. They hate you. And will probably hate the world. BUT, push forward. The minute you stop, you are dead in the water. I've experienced this way too many times to remember. Stephen J. Cannell's advice was to always finish what you start. He created shows for a living.

Never edit your first draft until AFTER it's done. You've most likely heard this one the most. When you backpedal any of your ideas, they start to unravel. Then you panic and then write yourself into a corner. Boy, that is the worst feeling. Because that initial great idea you had becomes a slop bucket. Move forward and write your way out.

Don't count pages. This one kills me. Because I don't have enough words to fill a full movie in my head. Because I get anchored with details. This is a BAD habit. THEN you start to formulate structure based on some book like "Save The Cat." And you realize your script doesn't fit that. And then you quit.

Don't be discouraged. I mean you can. But if you are starting out...why? You aren't Ernest Lehmann off the bat. Yes, writing and even screenwriting is a specific talent. Made better the more you write.

Have a comfortable writing space. Specifically one where you look forward to going. I use my bedroom as an office. And it's against my neighbor's wall. Which sucks because I dread going in there to write. Most writers go to a coffee shop. I find this distracting. My favorite place to write is actually at the local cemetery. It's quiet. And you have time to reflect. And you aren't distracted by stupid stuff, like the internet.

TURN OFF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA. Social media does the worst things to writers. It makes you think people are doing more than you (which they are, if you're worried about that). But also, it is a never ending rabbit hole. Especially if you are political.

Writing is a lonely place to be. You probably want to reach out to someone to collaborate. Honestly, I find it bad to do that. Especially if you started the story. The person who suggests ideas don't know what's in your mind. For me, if I ever reach out to a writer, I give them broad strokes and let them write the entire thing. Then I adjust as necessary. Having someone you trust write based on an outline is okay. If they're okay with it.

A good story. That's all we want. It doesn't have to be Godzilla vs. King Kong. It can be small and SHOULD be small. Human drama is, to me, much more satisfying. It doesn't have to be a self-important political topic of the time because you hate the government. Those are better produced by Hollywood bigwigs. They make it MUCH more interesting. But keeping it simple makes a difference. For me, I like the stories that shape who we are and how we exist with each other. I noticed a lot of people in my film school would write about questioning religion. This was overplayed. Followed by how abusive their parents were. I think it's perfectly okay to write a better drama if it's about making the world better. In small ways. Between friends or family. Human behavior is fascinating. And it also bonds the world better.

Never underestimate your ability to question human interaction. Observe people not through the lens of the internet. But really look at people. Show interest in people. The best writer and directors I know are fascinated by something. Most people are not. Most people just look at someone doing something dumb and say "Well, that's Joe" To me, I want to know why Joe acts the fool. And in a deeper sense, perhaps Joe comes from a shitty life that requires he always puts on a smiling face.

One of my friends who does animation is deep into Asian drama. His movies are melodramatic BUT very effective. Because I can see, for him, it's all about questioning male/female relationships and how duplicitous we are to our emotions and passions. This is where he shines. When I see him do other types of films, I see he falters.

When people say write what you know...I think that should be changed to write what you're curious about.