by Trevor Mayes | Apr 18, 2019 | Quick Screenwriting Tips, Style, Words, Writing
Use the more active (simple present) form of a verb Here’s a way you can immediately improve the quality of your writing. Don’t do this: Jeremy is sprinting down the street. Do this: Jeremy sprints down the street. Not only does using the simple present...
by Trevor Mayes | Mar 14, 2019 | Quick Screenwriting Tips, Writing
Breaking Bad It’s bad form to force a page break mid-sentence. That goes for dialogue and action lines. Some of the better screenwriting software programs will not even allow you to do this. They’ll automatically force a page break after the completion of...
by Trevor Mayes | Jun 25, 2018 | Dialogue, Quick Screenwriting Tips
Quick Screenwriting Tip: Don’t use abbreviations in dialogue. Abbreviated words like “Dept.” and “Sen.” are confusing in dialogue and force the reader to stop and think, however briefly… which is bad. Is it “Deputy” or...
by Trevor Mayes | Apr 15, 2014 | Dialogue, Formatting, Quick Screenwriting Tips
Never end a dialogue block with a parenthetical. I’ve been seeing this kind of thing a lot lately in the amateur scripts I’ve been reading: DEMON You think that puny gun can kill me? (laughs) If you need to indicate an action that follows a block of...
by Trevor Mayes | Jan 24, 2011 | Pacing, Quick Screenwriting Tips, Writing
Quick Screenwriting Tip: As you race toward your thrilling conclusion, be mindful of your scene lengths, especially if you need to cut across multiple locations, with multiple characters. Longer scenes will slow things down. Shorter scenes will speed things up....
by Trevor Mayes | Jan 13, 2011 | Quick Screenwriting Tips
Quick Screenwriting Tip: If your script is fantastical in nature, look for opportunities for a supporting character to react with dismay — especially if your main characters have become accustomed to the world. Used at the right time, this may: make a moment...
