How to Break In and Succeed as a Screenwriter

Written by Brian Konradt


Continued from page 1

There is a valuable lesson for aspiring writers in McCanlies' success: when you risk nothing, you gain nothing. McCanlies, Lazarus, and other successful screenwriters embroil themselves in chances, write creatively, experiment with different ideas, and raise their characters' stakes.

SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT LIKE A PRO Once you have written an interesting, well-organized screenplay you need to submit your script neatly and according to studio standards. Lazarus warns his UCLA students about several technical errors in script presentation that annoy studio readers. Follow these guidelines:

1) A feature length screenplay should be longer than 95 pages and shorter than 125 pages when you submit it for studio consideration.

2) Don't include a synopsis or character biographies with your script as it gives studio readers an excuse not to reviewrepparttar whole screenplay.

3) Don't put scene numbers on your script until it is sold. This is a rule ofrepparttar 149166 game; readers find scene numbers distracting and use them as an excuse to dub a screenplay "amateur" and unworthy of further consideration.

4) Studio readers prefer to receive scripts bound with circular metal brads. Using folders and binders hog office space and interns may discard scripts unintentionally during spring cleaning.

5) Finally, use one ofrepparttar 149167 many screenwriting programs to help format your script, such as Movie Magic Screenwriter, Final Draft or Script Wizard. You can find discounted deals at MasterFreelancer.com (http://www.MasterFreelancer.com), StoryScribe.com (http://www.StoryScribe.com), and Wizards4Word.com (http://www.wizards4word.com).

Make sure you proofread your script several times before submitting a script for Hollywood review. Busy studio readers will not peruse screenplays riddled with basic errors like confusing "it's" with "its" and using "are" when you mean "our." Use a program like Style Writer (found at http://www.StyleWriter-USA.com) to remedy such embarrassing grammar mistakes. When you're ready to submit your script, grab a Hollywood Creative Directory (found at http://www.storyscribe.com/mgbooks.html) to find markets for your script.

THINK SUCCESS AND BE A SUCCESS Remember to take risks with plot and character development, and follow studio standards for script submissions. Studying resources like "Secrets of Film Writing" by Tom Lazarus, "How Not to Write a Screenplay" by Denny Martin Flinn, "Crafty Screenwriting" by Alex Epstein, and "Alternative Scriptwriting" by Ken Dancyger and Jeff Rush can be helpful for aspiring writers. Developing strong writing skills takes time, a willingness to learn, and perseverance. Writers who constantly improve their skills and experiment with new ideas will succeed.

Brian Konradt is a freelance writer and founder of FreelanceWriting.com (http://www.freelancewriting.com), a free web site to help writers master the business and creative sides of freelance writing; he also is founder of BookCatcher.com (http://www.bookcatcher.com), a free website to help authors promote their books.


Understanding That Online Writing is Business Writing Will Make You a Fortune

Written by Christopher Kyalo


Continued from page 1

Any writer who understands that all online writing is business writing puts themselves in a very good position to make a fortune from their online business writing.

For example it will become much easier to attract clients because no website will assign you to write something that does not help them sell something.

This business writing that is done online has become even more interesting in recent times because a huge market has developed for writers who can write content to attract specific Google adsense advertisements. Let me explain in a little more detail forrepparttar sake ofrepparttar 149127 uninitiated. Most people who carry Google adsense advertisements quickly notice that it is extremely important to attract higher paying ads. The way to do this is by using certain keywords. Usually common keywords in most subjects will attract low bids (because there are numerous sites where these ads can be successfully posted) meaning thatrepparttar 149128 revenue Google shares withrepparttar 149129 site owner carrying their ads, for clicks will tend to be low. More unique and rare keywords will tend to attract ads that have much higher bids on them. There are actually certain Google ads that pay as much as $100 per click.

The kind of business writing required here is where unique keywords will be used withoutrepparttar 149130 content losing its’ original value and meaning. There are probably hundreds of thousands of sites that carry Google ads and many of them are not happy with their earnings and would like to earn more. Business writing from online writers who understand exactly whatrepparttar 149131 client wants is in very high demand. Byrepparttar 149132 way it is very easy for an online writer to quickly become an expert in this sort of business writing by simply setting up their own blog and applying to post Google ads and then learning and practicing their online business writing skills on their own site to start with. They can even userepparttar 149133 same site to attract clients and writing business.

Christopher Kyalo earns a living writing for various online clients. Visit his blog http://100grandonlinewriters.blogspot.com to read the following article; How to get lots of business writing online articles. He can be reached at strongwallafrica at yahoo.com


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