4 Things You Should NOT Include in Your Screenplay

[@samuelalexander1014]

Hey man I think this is one of your best videos so far. It is so easy to get carried away with having the film in your head that you map out every single detail, not realising that it's much better to leave that room for interpretation to allow other creative minds to shine. It can be easy to forget that film is an extremely collaborative art form.

[@claudiamanta1943]

A total novice would not necessarily know what are the roles of the others in the film team.

[@fanpandatastic]

GREAT video. I definitely have a problem directing the movement of actors, will try to cut that habit now. Thank you! Do you have a book out?

[@Britton0932]

How are these videos NOT getting thousands of views. I’ve watched dozens of other channels, and for people that are so creative in writing, they are dead sh!t boring people on camera. These videos are super valuable for content, and engaging. Keep up the good work! I include a link (or two) to a relative BigRedStripe video within almost every CoverflyX coverage review that I do!

[@BigRedStripe]

Thanks!

[@melstudiosworkshop9545]

True. I think I’ve watched all screenwriter channels on KZbin and this is BY FAR the most informative, right to the point channel.

[@energy_outlaw6679]

Always a good video! Thanks for the tips

[@michaelmaultsby895]

I never wrote a screenplay until last year, a BA in Theater. I wrote my first screenplay as a playwright would, therefore lost the readers who were expecting a screenplay.

[@antonisarapostathis2453]

I admit to directing the actors. But I need it. To show the pace of the dialogue and the subtext of the scene. Just writing columns of dialogue doesn't cut it. Instead of "pause" it's better to "Stands up, paces around, then gets back at Tim". And it's certainly better that "She ponders, then reaches her decision: This time it is final". We are supposed to show, not tell.

[@regularolpoet1462]

Thank you

[@Cato229]

As far as 1, I always notice an issue on the other side. This is especially true in phone calls where the protagonist usually just hangs up on someone that helped them. It comes off as rude (outside of cinematic language), and I don't know a way around that. As far as 3, is there ever a successful exception? Is there any film that was made better by in-depth scene descriptions in the script?

[@BigRedStripe]

In depth descriptions are typically only prevalent in scripts where the writer is also the director. If you aren't directing your own stuff, sparse is always better.

[@formulaic78]

I don't do any of those things thankfully. But I could do with improving my entrances and exits to evoke conflict and character from another of your videos. Thanks. I'm currently writing my tenth screenplay in about twenty years and there's still so much room for improvement. Too much dialogue; too static scenes. But this one is my best yet. I call screenwriting my improved chance lottery ticket. But to hold a ticket you've gotta write.

[@classicalperformances8777]

May I ask how to go about a spec script for a limited edition series meant for me, actress, to play one of the leads. Do I describe..me in the description?

[@ronfreilich7124]

Couldn't disagree more on #4. You weren't directing the actors, you were describing very specific action they were making (body language, using a pillow, jumping over couch) and that evoked tone and feel. Much better than your "fixed" example.

[@ftliverpool7930]

Great

[@jeremyegrayson]

Great video. Question for point 3. A Sci-Fi story in a setting never seen before. Do you think brief world building as it pertains to plot and characters is acceptable?

[@BigRedStripe]

Build the world as you go. First thing is to ground the reader so they don't feel lost. Explain only what you need to explain.

[@filmmakershub2559]

I'm excited to be this early

[@thomascrump1165]

👍