Understanding the Screenwriting Craft

Crafting a screenplay is just the beginning; grasping the intricacies of the craft is where the real challenge lies.

For over a decade, I've had the privilege of teaching screenwriting at a prominent university. Initially, I taught part-time at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, but now I am a full-time assistant professor at DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts. Each year, I encounter graduating seniors who are fervently working on their feature-length screenplays or original TV pilot scripts. They often seek guidance on how to market their creations, driven by dreams of lucrative deals and the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle.

At this point, I invite them to explore a different fantasy—one that I will share with you now.

Imagine you complete that script, and it’s exceptional. It lands in the hands of a manager who is impressed. Before long, you secure representation. Fantastic!

With that script's success, your manager arranges 'general meetings' with producers or development executives who have read your work, appreciate your writing, and want to meet this fresh talent.

You embark on the bottled water tour, traveling from Burbank to Universal City, and then to Hollywood and Culver City.

During one of these meetings, everything is going splendidly. A studio executive shows a genuine interest in you. She expresses her enthusiasm for a particular story they have been trying to crack with various writers, but to no avail.

Curious, you inquire, "What’s the premise?"

As she shares the concept, inspiration strikes—like a beam of golden light illuminating your thoughts. Suddenly, you have a vision for the story.

You launch into your pitch, delivering one compelling plot twist after another, weaving an incredible narrative as your excitement grows.

The executive becomes increasingly engaged, and her assistant hurriedly jots down your ideas. When you finish, the executive shakes your hand enthusiastically, declaring, "I need to take this upstairs."

While navigating the L.A. traffic back to your car, your phone rings; it’s your manager. The executive has pitched your idea to the president of production...

And they’ve decided to buy it.

"Congratulations! You’ve secured a deal!"

Cut to a few weeks later, as you sit in your attorney’s office reviewing your contract. You see the figures for both the commencement and completion fees for your first draft—six figures, no less.

Incredible, right?

But then, you turn the page and see the deadline for your draft: it’s due in twelve weeks.

Twelve. Weeks.

At this crucial moment, you must confront a vital question:

Do you truly understand your craft?

While the journey so far has been exhilarating, a stark reality awaits—one where you must actually write and submit the script on time.

I often ask my students if they have a structured approach to prep-writing, encompassing research, brainstorming, character development, and plotting. Do they possess the confidence that comes from experience, enabling them to produce a first draft and refine it to meet the deadline?

In other words, do you know your craft?

My aim in challenging students is not to frighten them but to encourage them to develop foundational skills before diving into the deep end. I recommend they write at least three original screenplays before attempting to market any of them. This practice builds the experience necessary to foster genuine self-belief in their ability to tackle future projects.

This advice applies to you as well.

It's not merely about the screenplay; it’s about the writer behind it.

Consume films. Analyze scripts. Write frequently. Familiarize yourself with the industry. Hone your skills. Experiment with techniques. Discover your unique voice. Recognize your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Transform those vulnerabilities into assets.

While it's not mandatory to know everything before presenting your scripts to potential buyers, having a solid foundation is advantageous. No one is an expert in every aspect; the learning process is ongoing. Mistakes are inevitable, and you may face rewrites. However, success is also possible. Much of what you learn about writing and yourself will come through practical experience. Don’t let the unrealistic expectation of being a "Perfect Writer" hinder your creativity and ambition.

That said, it is wise to acquire as much knowledge as possible and apply it to your writing. By the time you present yourself to buyers, you should have enough confidence to believe you can deliver.

A few years ago, I interviewed a successful screenwriter with a track record of hits spanning over two decades. He shared his confidence: "In twelve weeks, I know I will deliver a screenplay."

Those words come from a writer who truly understands his craft.

What about you?

Discover a powerful English phrase that can enhance your communication skills.

Test your knowledge with this engaging video on how well you understand the essentials of screenwriting.