Screenwriting

Hi, Juliana Philippi. I've done that with scripts after writing them, script ideas, and outlines. It's helped me see things I didn't see before, come up with new ideas, and change things.

That's actually how I've been dealing with Lunar Window's bottlenecks; they forced me to take a step back and do practically anything else (mostly exercising and then watching Boardwalk Empire), and then the fix would occur to me. Every single time it was because of a very small thing that would nonetheless have maximum impact (like a line of dialogue or a seemingly inconsequential action), so it was never obvious until the moment I had trouble lol. I wanted to write last night but held off because now I got the last bottleneck to sort out, a rewrite of the ending where I tie off a couple loose ends properly.

Maurice Vaughan Exactly...I just did something totally new: I wrote a new outline for the second half of the script, trusted I knew, well, my "screenwriting self" knew, and now, it's flowing out. It's a creative process...we're really not supposed to control it all : )

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh I love that!!! Yes! I go for jogs, and do yoga, and just stop "trying to make it happen", and all of a sudden, my intuition tells me "erase that whole scene, then it will make sense where you need to go". It is all about trusting the process, and really, getting out of my head. It's sometimes challenging, because as writers, it's so in our head, so " must be this, must be this"...but, when we let that go, and it's a real delicate balance...it's really astounding the amazing scripts that can come when you just stop putting deadlines and structured things for you to reach ( sometimes we need those, but sometimes...nope ).

Hi, Aleksandar Lahtov. Your script sounds interesting, but I think your logline needs a better structure and it's vague.

Here’s a logline template that might help: After/when ______ (the inciting incident/event that sets the plot in motion), a _______ (the main flaw the protagonist has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the protagonist’s personality) _______ (the protagonist’s job/career/role) tries to/attempts to/fights to/struggles to/strives to/sets out to/fights/battles/engages in/competes/etc. _______ (goal of story and try to add the obstacles here) to/so/in order to ________ (stakes).

The inciting incident can also be at the end of the logline: A _______ (the main flaw the protagonist has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the protagonist’s personality) _______ (the protagonist’s job/career/role) tries to/attempts to/fights to/struggles to/strives to/sets out to/fights/battles/engages in/competes/etc. _______ (goal of story and try to add the obstacles here) to/so/in order to ________ (stakes) after/when ______ (the inciting incident/event that sets the plot in motion).

Loglines are one or two sentences. A one-sentence logline sounds better, and it takes less time for a producer, director, etc. to read it. Try to keep your logline to 35 words or less. Long loglines can make producers, directors, etc. pass on a project.

Avoid using “must” in loglines. “Must” usually means the protagonist is forced to do whatever they need to do in the story instead of doing it willingly. You might need to use “must” in a logline though, like when the protagonist is forced by another character to do something. Using “must” to choose between two options is fine.

Names in loglines are usually for biopics, well-known stories, and franchises (like Mission: Impossible).

Sometimes I put the location and date that the story takes place in instead of the inciting incident if it’s a Period Piece script.

All stories don’t follow this logline template. Biopics, documentaries, and Experimental scripts might not follow the template. The series logline for a TV show can follow this template, but the pilot logline and episode loglines for the show might not.

Symphony of Shadows sounds interesting, Gabrielle Mahrez. I haven't written Gothic stories, and I don't have a lot of experience writing Psychological stories, but I use locations to set the mood for scenes and symbolize things in my scripts.

Great attitude @johnfife - Take the win!

That’s a wonderful rejection letter, congratulations!

I don't think that's a rejection. The shoes were just too big. Congratulations!!!!!!

I got a rejection only yesterday - 7 weeks later hahah! - but the producer wanted literally every step (it wouldn't have fit within the 2 pages!), so the script wasn't requested. But I do have an interesting voice, that it was 'atmospheric, seductive, powerful and suggestive' (direct quote, go me!).

This is weeks after someone else said (UK based) that whilst there was a space for a prison-based thriller, none of it was for him and scored me very low. (the recent one gave me 3s and 4s, better than the previous one)

Also - I'm a picture framer, so I can frame all my rejections accordingly hahahaha!

That's awesome Emilia-Maria A producer taking the time to point out your strengths is definitely a plus and a boost to the writer's soul. Makes up for some of the not so friendly rejection notices or the silent reject notices where you get no response at all.

Fantastic job on the piece, James LO! It held my attention, and the exposition didn't feel like exposition.

You could put the piece in your post. You can edit your post by clicking the downward arrow to the right of your name and selecting "Edit Post." Or you could post your piece in the comments.

Interesting. To me it read like a cold open to a Twilight Zone episode.

thanks for the feedback guys!

Maurice Vaughan yes it’s all exposition really—totally breaks the show don’t tell rule—but rules to be broken right?

Michael Dzurak i definitely had twilight zone in mind—this was basically an image which hung in my head from last night’s dream—a woman being kidnapped to a city under the ocean.

for me the comps are Elysium and 1,001 Nights (in that she’s bargaining for her life with tales she must make up on the spot)

You're welcome, James LO. The only rules I don't break are be entertaining and be clear.

I'd say don't necessarily rule out an option just because it's a free option (ie - they aren't paying you anything for it). A script I free-optioned 13 years ago is now in development with a studio.

Congratulations, Mark Simborg!

Thanks!

Hire a qualified Entertainment Attorney. Full stop.

You're welcome, Mark Simborg.

Big congrats to all the fellow semi-finalists!

Congratulations to all the fellow semi-finalists!

Congratulations to all the Semi Finalist winners!

This time my script 'Myths' didn't make it, but I wish all the (semi) finalists good luck!

Congrats to all those who made it to the next level. And to those who didn't, don't be despondent; chin up, chest out and go again. This is not a reflection on whether you'll make it or not. Only way to fail is to quit. Keep writing, keep honing your craft, learning the skills, perfecting your storytelling to provide a vivid, visceral and visually engaging tale for readers and producers like us. If anyone wants to talk one-on-one, my DMs are open here.

Get better at networking. Social media’s not exactly my cup of tea. Good luck to all my fellow creatives/introverts, happy new year.

Olivia Laine you've got the most important ingredients: desire to learn & the drive to jump in and participate creatively. the rest I am sure will follow for you. and congrats on the upcoming short film! keep us posted on that journey!

Sebastian Tudores Thank you! It’s been a slow start but it’s also been very eye opening and refreshing now that I’m following the goals I once set years ago. I will definitely keep everyone posted on this journey, because I truly believe that this community and other ones have been the best help, support, and inspiration to achieve what I have planned for my career. Much love to you and everyone! :)

Hi Ashley! My first big move for 2026 is completing the master draft of a high-concept sci-fi pilot I'm co-developing.

We’ve spent a lot of time on the deep world-building and grounded physics—ensuring the 'scientific hook' is as strong as the character vulnerability. My goal for this month is to move past the first 20 pages and finalize the 'Unreliable World' arc of the first act. It feels great to finally put the pen to paper after so much architectural planning. 2026 is the year for momentum!

finishing my proof of concept and making the movie!

i'll probably visit cannes tribeca and berlinale this year

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. You got this! Happy Birthday!

Thank you Maurice Vaughan!!

Bana! You're almost DONE?? That's great news! What an awesome birthday present! I knew you were pretty close, but not within a day close!

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh.

Thanks so much Elle Bolan! Yes, I thought I finished last week just before the new year but the ending wasn’t sitting with me (as well as a couple other plot holes) so I’m rewriting it and am hilariously close to finishing it. It’s definitely gonna be a great birthday present, even moreso if I can get my intended actor for John in the table read on board. Now I just gotta man up and commit to pitching it rofl

That's incredible, Geoffroy Faugerolas!

Hey Geoffroy, sounds cool

Maurice Vaughan hey Maurice , i'm sorry if it not clear , i'm asking about Remaking

Cynna Ael So why don't you try writing it in a new way, whether in its original time or a new time?

Thanks for explaining it some more, A.J .Abd El-Rahman El-Janainy. I would rewrite Freddy vs. Jason. I like the movie, it's fun, and it's great having the Horror icons in one movie, but I think the story could've been better.

I think you like combining the two worlds. I'd also like to merge John Constantine's world with Supernatural's. Imagine combining Sam and Dean Winchester with John Constantine, but they're against each other. Maurice Vaughan

I have. It’s now an urban fantasy Bridgerton meets the emotional heart of Crazy Rich Asians and built on the raw concept of The Philadelphia Story. It’s called Blue Moon Marriage Mayhem. I may write one closer to The Philadelphia Story- but I’m in the middle of writing my limited series.