Getting started on your screenplay

Who doesn’t love a good movie or enjoy binging on a favorite series? The magic behind cinematic storytelling starts with an amazing, one-of-a-kind story concept. That idea is then turned into a screenplay, which eventually gets produced and made into a movie. And the great thing is, screenwriting is formulaic – once you learn the formula and develop your writing skills, you too can put pen to paper (or keyboard to computer) and write your own screenplay.

In this guide, I give you the basics to get started. Although I focus mainly on writing a short screenplay, the tools and tips that you will find in this book can be applied to a feature-length screenplay and even an episodic television screenplay. The basics are the same, and after learning and applying these concepts and story formulas, you can get started on your journey as a screenwriter. There are many great resources out there to take you to the next level, and this guide will give you the foundation you need.

As a professor of screenwriting, I have years of experience working with first-time screenwriters and leading them, step-by-step, through the process of writing their first screenplay. I’ve witnessed the most hesitant students overcome their fears and self-doubt and go on to write amazing, creative, professional-level short and feature-length screenplays of which they can be proud. After taking my course, many students continue to take more advanced screenwriting courses, enter their screenplays into contests, and even produce and film their own scripts.

I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you and encourage you to dive into your first (or 2nd or 3rd…) screenplay and most of all, have fun!