How to Write a Screenplay That Sells (Or Your Money Back)
Want to avoid 10-years of hardknocks and rejections?
A New York City screenwriter is ready to show you the secrets of writing scripts that sell.
Screenwriter Jim Sommers, coauthor of "Countdown," has spent 10 years banging out scripts and banging on doors. He's done the dirty work. Now he's put together
the most practical and effective screenwriting course available on the Web today. Here's how Jim describes his course:
1. WHY DO YOU WANT TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY?
That's the first and most important question a writer should ask. There are many forms
of writing: novels, newspapers, magazines, nonfiction books. Why
screenwriting? I'll challenge you to find your true motives and dispel
some myths.
One such myth is that writing a script is easy. If some 26 year-old
can write and sell "American Pie" certainly you can do the same. In fact
most screenwriters are at their craft 7-10 years before they break in.
The mean age of a screenwriter is 45. So it's important to ask yourself
why you want to write for film and make sure you're in it for the long haul.
2. IDEA. Studios buy ideas NOT just good writing.
This is the second part of the course for a reason: it's one of the most important and least talked
about components of being a successful screenwriter. You can have impeccable
structure with dialogue like Mamet, but if the idea stinks you'll never sell
the script.
In this section we'll examine how to develop an idea. What makes a good
idea and what type of ideas you should work on (and not work on). Here you'll
learn how to write high-concept ideas. Ideas with commercial potential.
(Rule number one: Most of your ideas won't be that good. You have to be
constantly developing ideas in order to find that one gem. Pros
go through 50 ideas (okay maybe 10) before they get a winner. You're no different!
3. THEME
When I told my manager I didn't know what the theme of a
script I wrote was, he hung up on me. Theme is not just important in literature classes. Theme
is: good over evil. Through perseverance we can reach our goals. To
truly love we must let go.
Theme is the blood that runs through the veins of your script. Without it,
your script will die. Here I'll teach you how to find and develop themes in
your stories. How to identify themes and make sure they are the right themes
for the story you're writing.
4. BASICS
Basics should come first, right? Wrong. Basics are the
easiest to teach (that's why so many courses spend the bulk of their
time on them). Yet they are important, but you shouldn't obsess over them.
Here I'll teach about screenwriting fundamentals: Proper format. The classic three act structure and why
it's so important. Here you'll learn about character arcs, midpoints and pacing.
5. THE MARKETPLACE
This sectionn is one of the most challenging because the marketplace is ALWAYS changing. However, there
are certain trends and rules a screenwriter should be aware of. In this section I'll discuss how the marketplace works
and the two biggest mistakes aspiring screenwriting make regarding the marketplace.
6. AGENTS AND MANAGERS
In this section I'll teach you the importance of an agent or manager. What the differences
are. When to approach them (and when not to!). Once you get an agent, I'll
discuss how to KEEP them (and keep them happy.) Rule #1 -- you don't rest on your
laurels waiting for THEM to get you fame and fortune. That's still your
job. Maybe more than ever.
7. JIM'S NOOK
Lastly I'll explore some of my personal techniques that have helped me. I'll
discuss my philosophy on the "spiritual" side of screenwriting. The need to
move (or not to move to LA). The need for patience. What to do
once a project is "done." Most important I'll share come of MY mistakes so hopefully you can avoid them.
Course Details
Title: How to Write a Screenplay That Sells (Or Your Money Back)
Instructor: Jim Sommers
Format: Email, one-on-one workshops and teleconferences
Price: $250
Time Frame: 30 to 180 days
Course Outcome: Submission of screenplay
Peak Writing, LLC 12 Mercer Rd. Savannah, Ga, 31411 info@peakwriting.com • (tel) 912-398-2987 (fax) 702-926-0806 Using the Internet to Empower Writers
