Screenwriting : Steps to become a screenwriter by Darshan Jaju

Darshan Jaju #2, #3, #4, and #8 really helped me become a better screenwriter, especially #3 (Read Scripts and Watch Movies) and #8 (Seek Feedback and Revise). I struggled with how to write action lines, but reading scripts helped me. Reading scripts and watching movies helped me with things like structure, pacing, characters, and dialogue too. Before I started getting feedback, I didn't see problems in my scripts.

Maurice Vaughan I completely agree with you. Watching movies and reading scrips helps me as well. Movies is has huge impact on writing and that's why I was able to write two screenplays so far.

Congratulations on writing two scripts, Darshan Jaju! What genres are they?

Thank you Maurice Vaughan The first one was Drama and the recent one is Rom-Com.

Thank you Darshan Jaju that's really helpful. I like to read screenplays of films I watched but sometimes trying to get hold of them get be a bit of challenge!

Rachel White You're welcome. That's true, sometimes it is hard to understand the screenplay at first so I tend to read it twice or thrice. That helps me.

No disrespect but this how-to list is so basic; there is 0 advice about making income, doing show biz work besides writing, or learning how to make movies with peers.

Darshan Jaju I like to be able to see how it's written on the page in relation to what I see on the screen. At the moment I'm watching the tv series of Wallander, I would love to my paws on a script because I want to see how he's written as a character... I find him interesting and would like to know how much is written and how much is the actor doing his thing. It would be useful for me.

Dan MaxXx I appreciate your feedback, but the article was never meant to be about being able to make money as a screenwriter. It was simply to provide insights on what steps one can take to become a screenwriter. And at the end I have mentioned that it takes a long to break into the industry and that one must be consistent while selecting screenwriting as a profession.

Cool, Darshan Jaju. I write Drama sometimes, but I like to mix it with other genres. I tried to write a Rom-Com. Let's just say it's not my thing. Haha Maybe if I mix it with another genre.

Rachel White I also like to do the same. While watching the movie or any TV show I always wonder about how the writer must have written this on pages. In my opinion reading the script after or before watching the movie is always helpful.

Maurice Vaughan Darama and Romance are kinda my zone. I feel comfortable writing it and things come a bit quickly while I'm on one these genres. I would like read some of your work if you're comfortable.

That's great, Darshan Jaju. Horror and Thriller are my zone. Sure. I have scripts in the Logline section of my profile. Most of them are shorts.

Maurice Vaughan Sure I'll check and give it a read as soon as possible.

Maurice Vaughan Also would you be willing to read my recent script, I would appreciate your thoughts on it.

I agree with Dan MaxXx here. The article is titled "how to break into the industry," but that's not what the article tackles - I believe it tackles the beginning stages of learning the screenwriting craft. I think if you change the title, you'll get less pushback on the article itself. Being a great screenwriter and breaking into the industry are two very different things - though they tend to go hand in hand - and the latter stage advice, such as 'find an agent,' could be pretty problematic for screenwriters who aren't ready to do so.

I hope that helps. I do believe the title is misleading, and that the final advice regarding finding an agent needs more thought to be actionable for a new screenwriter.

"Breaking into industry" speaks for itself it a "hire to" job working on someone else's ideas...nobody is a full time spec seller...all writers hobby spec screenwriting, Academy Award winners, down to beginners...

The line about sending contacts your script needs amending. Doing that, as a first point of communication, is patently career hindering advice as most industry members can't accept unsolicited scripts and will simply block communication with anyone who tries to compromise that.

The bit about going out and finding a rep kinda feels like something ChatpGPT would suggest. It's not really realistic or productive, but often advised within screenwriting communities.

Overall, I do like the positive tone and focus on enjoyment.

Ok, thanks, Darshan Jaju. I'm working on a pitch deck job and I have two scripts to read. I can read your script once I'm done if that's fine. I'll message you when I finish.

That is spot-on CJ Walley

CJ Walley and Lawrence Davidson I appreciate your feedback and I'll do the necessary changes. Thank you for your inputs.

Maurice Vaughan no problem. Message me when you'll get time and I'll share my script with you.

Ok, will do, Darshan Jaju.