How Not to Write a Screenplay 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make

How Not to Write a Screenplay 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make

How Not to Write a Screenplay is an invaluable addition to any aspiring screenwriter’s shelf–and you’d best make the shelf within arm’s reach of the computer. Author Dean Martin Flinn, an experienced script reader, details the common rookie mistakes that drive script readers crazy. Flinn makes no pretense of being able to teach anyone how to write the next Great American Film–or for that matter the next Stupid Summer Blockbuster. Instead he offers information that will help keep the novice screenwriter’s opus from being immediately tossed on the trash pile (arguably a more valuable service). As Flinn says in his introduction, if you follow the advice in this book, “you may not write a particularly good screenplay, but you won’t write a bad one.” Flinn offers practical advice on formatting, such as the proper form for a slugline and where to set your margins, and more general rules of thumb on giving the actors room to interpret their roles and avoiding dictating camera angles to the director (who will ignore them anyway). The second half of the book deals with content, also in a remarkably pragmatic way–structure, pacing, plot resolution, and dialogue that really stink are all handily dealt with. Flinn illustrates almost all his points with excerpts from screenplays both good and bad (names have been changed to protect the guilty), giving the reader concrete examples of the difference between poorly and well-structured scenes. Not sucking is an unusual goal for a screenwriting manual, but any script reader will agree it is a noble one. –Ali Davis

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Now Not To Write A Screenplay
Fantastic. Who’d expect a book about screenwriting to be a page turner? Or even humorous? It’s both, but is also loaded with practical, hands on, nitty-gritty stuff. Just what you need for venturing out into the jungle of professional screenwriting.

5 Stars Covers Many Essentials Forgotten Elsewhere
After you’ve read Syd Field’s SCREENPLAY and Trottier’s SCREENWRITER’S BIBLE, you’re about 90% set on how to write a screenplay. This book will finish off that last 10% with excellent advice on polishing and finishing a script. The best reason to buy this book is the section on Overwriting and Underwriting, which answers frequently asked questions with clear and concise examples.

The book is written in very friendly and enjoyable manner. While not the first book on screenwriting anyone should read, it is definitely the last book you should read before getting started.

5 Stars Best for more intermediate level screenwriters
I found the book extremely helpful – but I would NOT recommend for beginning screenwriters.

I’ve written almost 3 screenplays, and had them critiqued in class. So, I would say that I am an beginner-intermediate level. This book is an excellent resource for those who are already familiar with good screenwriting rules and formats, and need to refine these points.

I saw many of my own mistakes in the book examples (yikes!) – you know what they say, the best way to learn is by making a mistake.

Therefore, if you have yet to write at least one screenplays, I’m not sure this book will be as helpful as books like “Hot Property” or “The Screenwriter’s Bible.”

4 Stars After reading How Not to Write a Screenplay I entered my very first screenwriting contest….
and made it to the semi-finals. But there is good news and bad news.

I got feedback from two reviewers. One, really liked it and based on his/her scores I would’ve made it into the final round.

The second reviewer pretty much hated it and it was this score that knocked me out of the final round.

There are definite rules for screenwriting and this book can help define those for you. But there are also these gray areas where rules are bent and broken and you are at the total whim of the individual reading your script at that time. Despite all the paramters it’s more art than science and some very talented people have passed over awesome scripts that have gone on to be great, and well, really bad scripts get made all the time. Unfortunately no book can guide you through that. In fact the book presents some contradictory information in defining the screenwriting processes and boundaries then offering example scripts that bends or breaks them. But perhaps that was the point.

My advice after reading this book is, if you’re a beginner or intermediate like me, stick closely to the rules, including what the author outlines here which is not bad advice at all. The more familiar you are with them the more adapt you will be at knowing then to toss them aside.

5 Stars The Difference
I agree with another reviewer. This is better to read while you’re in the middle of your first screenplay, or after you’ve written it.

But it’s brilliant.

If you write a screenplay, and are not sure how to revise it, read this, and you will laugh. But you will also discover the difference between writing a film that sounds good to you and writing something that a studio-exec will enjoy reading.

I think it can make good writing better and make it smoother, while helping you avoid the minefield that so many ignorantly charge through.

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