How to Write a Movie in 2020 – Lesson 1: The Idea

Posted on by Eric

This is the first in (hopefully) a series that takes you through the step by step process of writing a screenplay.  If you follow each step, you’ll go from concept to first draft by March.  Or sooner. -Eric

How to Write a Movie This Year (2020)
Lesson 1: Come Up With a Good Idea for a Movie

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to write a screenplay?  Great!

So you’ve written that resolution down and you’re ready to go.  You’ve seen a ton of movies, and so many of them were BAD, so how hard can it be to write a movie?  Let’s get started!

Well, wait.  Did you want to write a bad movie?  A movie that will not get made, and if for some reason it does get made, no one will watch, and if they do watch it, they will HATE?

No, of course not.  When you wrote “write a screenplay” in your resolutions, you probably meant “write a GOOD screenplay,” right?

A GOOD screenplay is a little more difficult.  And by “a little” I mean a THOUSAND TIMES harder to write than a BAD screenplay.

Why?

Because you can write any old thing in screenwriting format and call it a movie.  And sure, it might be a movie…but it will be a BAD movie.

So how do you make it good?

Well, the first thing to realize is that screenwriting is writing.  If you’re thinking, “I sorta like to write, but not enough to write a novel…I’ll just write a screenplay!”  I’ve got some bad news that may sound familiar (possibly because I just wrote it):

And that bad news is: Screenwriting is Writing!  This might seem obvious to some, but if is isn’t, click that link for a post about it.

So, I hope you like to write, because that’s what screenwriting is all about.

Alright, so you’ve accepted the fact that screenwriting is writing, and still want to write a movie?  Great!  What do you have in mind?  Let’s start with your idea.

THE IDEA

Now it’s time to think about the type of movie you want to write.  Do you have one in mind that you’ve been kicking around year after year and 2020 is going to be the year where you get the sucker on paper?

Fantastic.  Write it down in a sentence or two.  Maybe even a paragraph.

That’s ONE movie idea.  Now write ten more.

Ten more?  Why ten more?

Because ten ideas plus your original makes eleven.  And eleven ideas are better than one.

I know, I know, eleven seems like a lot, but I know other screenwriters who recommend you not begin a screenplay until you have 25 ideas.

Twenty-five might be a bit much, but I understand the thought – before you spend over 100 hours crafting this movie, you want to be as SURE as you can you’re picking a good idea, an idea you like, an idea that you don’t get tired of in draft after draft after draft…

So, take your time.  Carry a notepad or index card around with you.  When you think of a movie idea, write it down.  You may also want to read my post How Do You Think of Ideas For Movies?

One way not mentioned is that post is to write down three movie ideas every morning.  Within a week you should have at least three or four that you really love.

Alright, got eleven ideas?  Great.  Pick the one you’re the most passionate about – you’re going to have to write and rewrite this script for a long time.

Also, if you’re passionate about a few ideas, and one of them is clearly more commercial than others, you might want to pick that one.  That is, if you want to sell the sucker.

Got the idea?  No?

Okay, I’ll wait.

…

..

.

Got it?  Nice.  Wait, that’s the one you’re choosing?

I’m kidding.  You’ve picked a story you really want to tell and you’re ready for the next step.  That’s a beautiful thing.

Alright, I know you really don’t have your idea.  So you have one week to get it!

Check back here for the next lesson.

Seriously.  And…

Onward!

-Eric

Yes, We Will Give You Notes on Your Script

Posted on by Eric

And now, a quick word from Script Doctor Joey… (Who? Read this.)

You may have noticed Script Doctor Eric’s (Hey, that’s me!) last post was from 2015, so I often receive emails asking if we’re still here and still providing notes.

Yes! We are! Script Doctor Eric has indefinitely turned the reigns over to me (Script Doctor Joey) and he was a much better at updating the website than I am.

I am ready to read your query letters and scripts: features, pilots, shorts, specs. I worked in development for both features and television so I’ve read hundreds (maybe thousands at this point) of scripts in all genres and formats.

And if what you’re looking for is not listed in our SCREENWRITING SERVICES — please email me directly: joey at scriptdoctoreric dot com

Keep Writing!

-Joey

Script Doctor Joey’s Screenplay Analysis

Posted on by Eric

As you may have noticed, there has been little activity from me, Script Doctor Eric in a while. Except on Twitter, where I use my smartphone to tweet as @ScriptDrEric

Apologies for radio silence.  I’ve actually landed a full-time job and have full-time things going on in my personal life.  (For way-too-much personal information, hear more about it on a recent episode of Scriptcast – A Screenwriting Podcast  – Episode 56 – Updates)

Unfortunately, this means taking a hiatus from giving screenplay notes.

But, if you need feedback on your screenplay, don’t despair!  Instead of leaving screenwriting without any support, I’ve recruited the best screenwriter I know – Joey.

Script Doctor Joey (also known as TV Consultant Joey) writes television and feature scripts.  In fact, she’s currently working with a producer and manager to package one of her features.  Exciting stuff!

Joey has been giving coverage, notes, and analysis on scripts in the entertainment industry for over a decade.  She’s worked for producers, TV shows, actors, etc.

In fact, I get notes on all my feature screenplays from Joey BEFORE I send them to anyone else.  Seriously.  She’s really, really good.

Really.  Really good.  You guys are lucky.

If Joey didn’t have the time to give notes on feature scripts right now, this post would just be about how I’m taking a hiatus from reading scripts.

But, because she is available I know I am leaving you in good hands.

Because if you want help – serious help – on your screenplay, there is no one better than Joey.

So if you’re a new screenwriter or a screenwriter who just finished a new screenplay, just go to the Screenwriting Services Page and order Joey’s service.  I’ve taken my services off of there, as you’ll see – it’s just Joey now.

Which I trust will be fine.  In fact, pretty soon you might just be asking: “Script Doctor Eri-who?”

Seriously.  Best of luck to you all.  And…

Onward!

-Eric

Screenplay Notes

Posted on by Eric

Update: Script Doctor Eric is currently on hiatus from giving screenplay notes.  Script Doctor Joey now gives all notes on the site.  Please read: Script Doctor Joey’s Screenplay Analysis – and then get notes from her.  Seriously.  -Eric

 

Are you looking for notes on your screenplay from a produced screenwriter and freelance script reader?

Great.  Head on over to Script Doctor Eric’s Screenwriting Services and get the help you need today!

Oh, you don’t think you need notes or feedback on your script?  Your screenplay is perfect because you mom and your best friend liked it?

Kidding.  But in all seriousness, screenwriting is a slightly different beast than other types of writing.  And it takes a different type of beast to give you good feedback.

What type of beast are we talking about, and when can we drop the “beast” analogy?*

To tell if your screenplay is worthy of the PDF file you converted it into, you’ll need feedback from someone who knows what they are talking about.

That is, get notes from someone who has read a lot of screenplays.

Better yet, get notes on your script from someone who is a screenwriter.

Coincidentally* Script Doctor Eric is both of those things.

He also writes in the third person when marketing his services.

But this won’t last for long.  It’s really too tiring…

So, if you’d like my** analysis of what works, what doesn’t work, and how to make your screenplay better, check out my Screenwriting Services.

If not, I really, really hope you get someone to look at your work who knows what they are talking about.

Because I’ve read far too many screenplays where the writer obviously hasn’t gotten good feedback.

And I would rather not read any more like that.

Best of luck, and..

Onward!

-Eric

—

* This is not a coincidence.  You see, I wrote those sentences before KNOWING I was talking about myself.  No.  Really.  🙂

** Told you it wouldn’t last.