So you think you can write screenplays? How difficult could it be, right? Well, for many budding screenwriters… the length and breadth of the universe that is screenwriting quickly becomes apparent when they immerse themselves in this seemingly limitless world of imagination and opportunity. There are rules and yet these rules can and must be broken when the time calls for it.
It’s a confusing space to work in where the words need to magically write themselves and yet we have to power them up and find inspiration that is fresh enough to compel and yet predictable enough to operate within the realm of the language and medium that is film. There are so many ways to do it and so many ways to do it wrong.
If you want your work to stand out from the rest, being a diligent and dedicated writer are only halfway there. You’ve got to get the edge, leverage the true essence of you and captivate readers in a way that will make them fall in love with your story and your vision. How do you get the jump on the competition? How do you make your writing “pop”? Well, here are a few tips that may come in handy.
Inspiration, Sminspiration. Some people think that inspiration works like lightning… that if you just sit around long enough in an open field that you will find a light drizzle and possibly a few lightning strikes that land close enough to shock you into action. The truth is that it operates more like a muscle. The better you get at exercising this thing called inspiration, the better you get at latching for lack of a better word. Ride the lightning but don’t wait for a thunderstorm… go out there and find one. Maybe that’s why they call it brainstorming?
One of the best hacks to use is the big what if? Keep asking yourself “what if” to jumpstart those creative juices and find new neural pathways to success. Characters, story, genre… keep jostling this question across the spectrum of your story and these creative detours will force you to think more creatively and stumble onto ideas that make your script sparkle or spark – your choice.
Another goodie is the decision to keep the visual element in mind. Use vivid ways to write your characters or action to allow the visual storytelling to lead the way. Show, don’t tell… it’s about inviting viewers and readers into your world. So think of your screenplay’s ability to relay what’s happening on screen. Even imagine it playing on the silver screen to help you visualise and translate what’s actually happening into a more captivating blueprint for the movie in your head.
Then finally… use intrigue and the unseen to elevate what’s happening in your screenplay. If you’ve seen Funny Games, you may remember just how effectively sound is used to amplify violence as two deranged young men commit atrocious acts in the room next door. Think of this room as being just off screen, beyond the frame of your scene… so that you can try to think of locations and a continuation of the world you’ve so carefully created to exist beyond the page. This doesn’t only build curiousity but can add an extra layer of tension and ensure the film plays with a suspended reality, able to go on beyond the closing credits. It doesn’t have to lean nto horror, you can also add touches of humour too.
Whatever you do, remember to dip into that creative space… the well where fresh ideas are born. Drink deeply and try to give yourself permission to dream, be silly and open to new ideas no matter how wacky, weird and wonderful they are. For it’s in this playful arena that we connect with our most creative, playful and energetic selves.