You’ve got Final Draft … now what?
You’re abuzz with excitement. You’ve finally committed to writing that screenplay you’ve always talked about. You’ve purchased Final Draft 12, or maybe you’ve even been lucky enough to receive it as a gift from someone who wants to see you pursue your dreams. You’ve been to movies, seen TV shows, and felt that gnawing pit in your stomach, that drive that says, “I have a story to tell, too.”
But what is that story? How do you even decide where to start? Some of you may already know what you want to write about, while others may just be feeling the first thrilling tingles of inspiration. You’re in luck, because inspiration is all around! You just need to know where to look for it.
Here are 10 tips for getting started on your screenplay:
1. Make a list of your favorite movies and TV shows.
Chances are they may all fall into a similar category or genre, which is a clear indication that this is the type of film you prefer to watch, and will likely be most suited to write. If you love rom-coms, write a rom-com! If horror is more your scene, get cracking on a scary story. Writing what you love will keep you motivated, and ultimately lead to a better result.
2. Keep a journal.
Or a notepad, or notes on your phone, or scraps of paper at the bottom of your bag. Story ideas can strike at any time, and you want to be able to capture them when they do. Final Draft 10 even has a Beat Board where you can store story ideas right in your Final Draft file, so you know they’re always around when you need them.
3. Read widely.
Best-selling author and sometime screenwriter Stephen King famously said, "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: Read a lot and write a lot.” Reading widely will do more than help spark ideas; it will also give you an education in how professional writers compose prose, a skill you’ll need to make your screenplay leap off the page.
4. Read the trades… or don’t.
Some screenwriters find it helpful to read industry trades like Variety, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. These publications help keep them abreast of trends in the industry and the types of screenplays that are selling in the marketplace. Other screenwriters prefer to ignore industry trends and go with their gut when deciding what story they want to tell. Find out what works best for you and go with it. There’s no such thing as too much information.
5. Learn the format.
Screenplays follow a very particular format, and Final Draft is designed to make adhering to that format as easy as possible for the screenwriter. Check out our Youtube channel for simple videos on how to lay out your script. Once you know the basics, you’ll be off to the races in no time!
6. Ask a question.
At the heart of a good screenplay is a question that needs to be answered. What questions plague you in the middle of the night? What do you wish you knew the answer to? Story is a great way to explore the things that vex us, and the greater the question, the greater the opportunity for drama and conflict.
7. Carve some time out.
Now that you’ve committed to writing, you need to make it a priority. Try to set aside at least a small portion of every day to get words down on paper. If you commit to writing just three pages a day, in one month you’ll have finished the first draft of a 90-page screenplay.
8. Make time for other things.
Making it in Hollywood can be a long, arduous road, and true overnight success stories are few and far between. It’s important to keep a balanced lifestyle if you’re going to last the distance. Walk your dog, get some exercise, and make sure to keep your plants watered. Invest in your writing time, but also invest in your life outside of writing. It will serve you well for the road ahead.
9. Ignore the naysayers.
There may be people in your life who don’t support your dreams, regardless of what those dreams are. At the end of the day, the person you have to answer to is yourself. Will you forgive yourself if you let people talk you out of the thing that matters most to you in life? It’s fine that they don’t want to go on this journey with you, but don’t let them stop you taking those first, important steps.
10. Stop talking… start doing.
Many people are afraid to just take the plunge and get started. The fact that you’re reading this article shows that you’re ready to get going. So go do it! Tomorrow, it may be you we are reading about in the trades. Hopefully, you’ll remember us when you hit the big time.