A quick word for emerging screenwriters...

And yes, you might roll your eyes at this piece of hyperbolic encouragement but:

Many of you are closer to hitting the upper echelon of writers than you think. Literally thousands of you have the capability. However—

#pipelinewriters
I’ve been seeing the same red flags for years and years now and I thought they would sort of phase out and...they haven’t.

So a few takeaways, imvho:

Focus on your writing style. Anyone who says writing style doesn’t matter “because it’s just a script” is incorrect. Period. /
Read scripts from contest winners, writers who’re repped, who just sold a spec... Not only pros. Pros will tell you they did this and that and “it worked for me I’ve won Emmys!”

They’re not wrong—there’s no one, set way to write a script. But you’re not at their level yet. /
“Well what’s the best style to adopt?”

That’s a whole other thing. There are variations, but I wish someone could sit down w/every new writer and do a deep Page One study. They’d learn so much. Not only ideas for style but how to write a good opener.

Anyhow...next points:

/
- Come up with og concepts that feel cinematic and fresh.

- Watch *current* movies/series.

- Know the market—not what’s been produced but what HASN’T been. This one’s dicey I know, and that’s where you can fall off the rails. But what do we *need* to see? Where’s the gap?
- Your plot has to be compelling. Most every script should revolve around a unique pitch OR put a spin on an old story.

Can you get away with a so-so idea if the execution is lights out? Absolutely. Would I recommend relying on that? No. Aim high. Cool idea + great execution.
Lastly, and many of you do this already: leave your bubble. Your 3 or 4 trusted readers? Fine. 1st step. Then get notes from a writer with more exp. Or a service. Or 10 other readers who won’t sugarcoat. You can’t implement all the notes you get, but get them anyway. It’ll help.
And I can’t believe some of you haven’t seen @LastBlackManSF.

Yes this tangential to this thread, but you’re already here and I’ve been 📢 about this damn incredible movie for months now so...
You can follow @SPMJM.
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