Beginning Screenwriting: Some Basic Tools

I recently embarked on a trip to Los Angeles from San Francisco to visit a good friend of mine. He's been working in the film industry for three years now. After we did some of the typical touristy LA night activities--dinner and drinks on Sunset Boulevard, a drive through Beverly Hills, and a personal tour of the CBS lot--I was ready to take on Hollywood. Later that night, after a few drinks, I told my friend that I wanted to be a screenwriter. He then proceeded to laugh uncontrollably and said, "You'll learn quickly that everyone in LA's a screenwriter." He could tell that his comment had affected me. "Don't worry," he continued, "just tell a good story and you'll be fine." Just tell a good story. This makes a lot of sense, but it's a lot harder to accomplish than anyone ever imagines.

Screenwriting, in the beginning, can be difficult and frustrating. Many people are under the impression that anyone can write a good screenplay, but I've got two words for those people - no way. To take screenwriting seriously, one must prepare for a very time consuming and exhausting process. There are many basic steps that are required before the first word of your screenplay is ever written. So let us take a look at some of the basic tools you'll need to get started.

The first tool I'd recommend having is an imagination. While this might sound very cliché, it's often taken for granted in the writing process. Someone can have a great story idea, but to really develop and evolve that idea into a complete story requires utilizing every facet of that person's imagination.

The second tool I'd recommend having is patience. Researching, developing, creating, and writing a screenplay can frustrate even the seasoned screenwriter, so having patience is essential. I, for instance, have spent as much as two full days on one scene. Without patience, chances are you'll never get past the first act of your screenplay.

The third tool I'd recommend having are several pens and notebooks. While computers and laptops are convenient, writing out your ideas on paper is a great learning experience. Paper allows you the freedom to cram ideas and notes anywhere on the page. It also allows you the versatility to take your ideas with you no matter where you go.

The final tool I'd recommend having is a good story idea. Ask yourself a simple question, "Does my story idea have what it takes to be a full length movie?" If you feel the answer is "yes," then you're ready to start building the foundations for your story. If the answer is "no," or "doubtful," then you might want to re-think and re-work your idea.

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