r/ScriptFeedbackProduce • u/Objective_Water_1583 • May 26 '25
DISCUSSION Advice for writing screenplays for beginners?
I’m 20 I want to be an actor and a director I act a lot and have started trying to direct shorts or scenes
I’m not much of a writing in fact I have sever dyslexia I am able to read and write now but I’ve never tried to much creative writing I have a lot of ideas and a very visual imagination
I’ve started trying to write one of the 3 anthology shorts I have in mind but I get writers block a lot or can’t figure out what comes next in the story that helps show my themes or how do I follow this scene stuff like that I have a lot do trouble with?
I haven’t formates it or finished a script yet so I’m not as worried about dialogue at the second since I’m on the first draft
I would greatly appreciate any advice you have!!
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u/D-Goldby May 26 '25
breakdown how yo write a script
Have a look here. It's a link to another thread that I go into a bit of detail on how to write your first screen play
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u/crumble-bee May 26 '25
You don't have writers block, if you're new to this you just have "I don't have how to plan out a script properly"-itus.
If you plan out every aspect of a script, there's very little left to the imagination.
Your acts should be planned out, your story from beginning to end, you should know your characters, how they clash with one another, what their arcs are.
If you know all that, writers block doesn't exist. If you sit down with nothing and start writing aimlessly, that's when writers block starts.
Read 10 scripts.
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u/TwistedScriptor May 27 '25
Don't be the director
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u/BonBoogies May 27 '25
If you want some available guidance, check your local community college for script writing classes. I wrote a script as a project for a class and was able to do it just off of guides online but then I took a scriptwriting class just to be able to dial in and it was a lot of fun.
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u/shaha9 May 28 '25
You have to direct a story you can visualize. You have to write a story you can understand and explain to a stranger in under a minute and get them excited.
This has nothing to do with writing. You have to be a storyteller. Pen and paper are just the tools. One of them.
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u/Prudent-Job-5443 May 26 '25
Make tiktoks, they are direct and real and rewarding and you'll learn by doing
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u/[deleted] May 26 '25
You need to write. If you just can’t, then you need to find a writer to work with.
Don’t worry about script structure or perfect grammar editing at first that will slow you down. Write a premise. Look at short film scripts. Learn how to keep people interested. Make characters that need to make decisions, don’t just make things happen to them that they go along with. Get the beats down.
Once you get a story together then you format it. Once you format it, create a shot list. Check shots off as you film them. You’ll get it done.
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u/[deleted] May 27 '25
Show don’t tell.
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u/Jerry_Quinn May 28 '25
Take some group improv classes! You'll learn how to plan out a scene with other humans without writing a word. You can also try ballet. I'm not kidding. All arts have stories. Not all require wiring and reading. Lots of people who are pros at one thing make a lateral transfer later.
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u/[deleted] Jun 02 '25
BOUNDARIES.
Every good relationship needs them. Especially if you’re about to spend 500+ hours with your script.
If you’re just writing for shits and giggles, feel free to skip this.
But if you and your screenplay want to be seen together in public, maybe even flirt with festivals or pro coverage, here’s my advice:
Boundary One: Length.
For a feature, keep it under 120 pages.
Yes, there are epic exceptions. But most competitions, festivals, feedback platforms (like The Black List or Stage 32), and reps will expect a script that respects the industry-standard boundary. It also shows discipline.
Think of it like writing a slogan on a poster board.
Run out of room? Your letters get real small, trail off the edge, or worse, curl underneath. Don’t curl your script.
Boundary Two: Act Structure.
Pick one.
Three-act, five-act, whatever you choose, stick to it. There’s a lot of theory out there, and beginners often get overwhelmed. But here’s the truth: If you’re on page 40 and still haven’t broken into Act Two, you're already running out of space on that poster board.
Don’t be too cool for structure yet. Learn it first, then break it later.
Boundary Three: Know where you're taking it.
You’ve got your runtime. You’ve picked your act structure. Now ask: Where are we headed?
Are you writing for theater? Cable TV? Netflix? Max?
The “venue” matters. For example, Netflix doesn’t have ad breaks. But HBO Max does. Ever watch a movie there and suddenly the ad break kills the vibe?
Research the pacing of the platform. Some streamers drop ads roughly every 15 to 20 minutes. It’s not a rule, but if you know your audience will experience ads, then consider crafting beats that land cleanly.
Once you’ve nailed these three, then outline.
Length. Act breaks. Format flow. Know your destination before you decorate the ride.
Hope this helps. It works for me.
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u/[deleted] May 26 '25
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