When it comes to screenwriting, a regimented way of turning ideas into worlds for screen… the sky’s the limit and then some. Your creativity and imagination can be turned from thoughts into achievable dreams. While it can be an intoxicating experience to be able to immerse oneself in this dreamscape where plot twists, nuanced characters and poetic dialogue reign supreme – there’s always the risk of making one of, if not the biggest screenwriting mistakes… leaving the audience behind.
If the audience isn’t invested in the story, characters or world – your film falls flat. You need to ensure the audience is along for the ride and that the story remains relatable and relevant. Writing characters that viewers can relate to enables greater emotional connectivity and empathy. It also pays to keep the pacing up so that you maintain engagement. Slow-moving dramas have their place, but make sure that your movie is well-paced enough to keep the audience’s interest.
Then, it’s also important to make sure your story is clear and comprehensible. So while there may be a desire to go labyrinthine in your writing, it’s best to avoid complex or convoluted plotlines that confuse or create distance with the audience.
While it’s difficult to think about… films are essentially products, which are designed for certain target markets. It’s important to know who you’re writing for… this means drilling down to understand their interests, values and tailoring your film to their preferences.
It does help to write a screenplay for a movie you’d want to see as an audience member. Just be careful in your personal assessment because while your tastes should cater to a large segment of potential audiences, there’s a tendency for film-makers to become self-indulgent to the point of alienation.
When it comes to writing your script or making your film, ensure there’s a reasonable feedback loop. You need to get feedback from friends, family and colleagues. Beyond that, it’s important to harness outside perspectives to help you identify potential problems. Services like reviewmyscript.com exist in order to offer these objective and valuable insights. It can be tricky to see the wood from the trees when you’ve racked up a few drafts of your script.
So, keep your audience in mind when coming up with your next concept and during the creation process. You want to make sure they invest in your story and stay until the end credits. Entertain, educate and engage at every turn and you’ll be on the right path. Find an uncommon depth and resonance, your viewers will be back for more.