Meet the 6 best screenplay readers in 2024. Ever wondered what screenplay readers really think of scripts just like yours? We’ve asked all of our readers here at Script Reader Pro some telli...
How to write a screenplay for beginners. Do you have a burning desire to see your stories brought to life on the big (or small) screen? Do you have a story you want to bring to the world but ar...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-for-beginners/
How to write voiceover in a script (ultimate pro guide). The percentage of movies and TV shows that employ voiceover is fairly low. Most times when you sit down to watch something it won’t have...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-write-voiceover-in-a-script-w-script-download-examples/
How to come up with horror story ideas producers want to read. Struggling to come up with an idea for a horror script? Or maybe you have a horror script, but it’s not quite resonating with read...
What are the best free screenwriting software options? For beginner screenwriters, the journey from concept to produced film can seem daunting. But the first step—crafting a compelling screenpl...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/free-screenwriting-software/
How to pitch a TV show to Netflix, networks (and more). Learning how to pitch a TV show is just an important skill to learn as writing the script itself. You can write the best pilot in history...
13 best screenwriting apps for writing scripts on-the-go. You’re a screenwriter with big ideas. Ideas that come to you while out to dinner or in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. But...
The secret production company jobs that’ll help your screenwriting career (and how to get them). Can working in Film/TV development help your screenwriting career? The short answer is… yes! W...
40 best screenwriting contests and fellowships to enter in 2024. Screenwriting contests and fellowships can be something of a confusing minefield for writers. Practically all of them claim to off...
50 of the best screenplays to read and download in every genre. We’ve been strong advocates for the benefits of reading screenplays in order to improve your writing for a very long time. But wh...
14 best screenwriting books that’ll help kickstart your career in 2024. We’ve all read the so-called “best” screenwriting books like Story by Bob McKee and Screenplay by Syd Field. But wh...
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2023 Black List scripts: here are our 5 favorite loglines from the list. The Black List is a yearly roundup of the best unproduced screenplays doing the rounds in Hollywood, as voted for by pr...
Struggling to think of Christmas gifts for writers? (or for yourself?) Stumped on what to buy a fellow writer this Christmas? Look no further than this curated list of Christmas gifts for writers...
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Send Your Script to the Top Production Companies Looking For Scripts There are a ton of TV and film producers looking for scripts. The problem is getting your (exceptional) script to them. Ever ...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/production-companies-looking-for-scripts/
Best screenwriting podcasts: 36 shows that’ll help you break in. If you’re looking for the best screenwriting podcasts to enhance your understanding of the craft and business of writing, here...
How to rewrite a script: a hands-on master checklist. You’ve probably heard advice on how to rewrite a screenplay that goes something like this: • “Leave room for discovery as you go alon...
20 horror scripts to download and take your horror writing to the next level. Below you’ll find twenty classic horror scripts that every screenwriter who wants to write horror should study. We�...
How to write for TV: a step-by-step guide to starting your career as a TV writer. As an aspiring screenwriter, you may have noticed there’s quite a bit of confusing information out there rega...
How to master screenplay structure: the #1 technique nobody talks about. Traditional 3-act screenplay structure goes something like this: A protagonist is landed with a problem in Act 1 (the s...
The best screenwriting fellowships to enter in 2023. Screenwriting fellowships are often the springboards that allow emerging talented writers to break in and launch their careers. But, with so...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/best-screenwriting-fellowships/
How to write a synopsis for a movie. If you want to learn how to write and sell a script, you must also learn how to write a synopsis. A movie is based on a screenplay, but that screenplay is b...
Download the 20 best action scripts for free and learn from the pros. If you are a budding action/adventure writer, you’ve picked a great genre and should be reading as many of the best actio...
Want to know how to sell a screenplay in today’s tough market? So, you’ve finally finished a script you’re proud of. Congrats. But are you now trying to figure out how to sell a screenpla...
Screenwriting managers list of the top 100 Hollywood management companies. This is a comprehensive list of the top screenwriting managers and literary management companies currently working (mai...
Short film ideas: A practical (& easy) way to generate ideas to shoot. Generally, with short film ideas, when you have a great one, you know it. It’s those movie ideas that just “pop” and f...
How to write a TV pilot script like a pro. So you want to learn how to write a TV pilot script? Good call. The market’s growing. Writers rule in television. And you probably need a pilot TV sho...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-write-a-tv-pilot-script/
How to write a screenplay: the 5 steps most beginners skip. You may have read a few posts on how to write a screenplay that go something like this: • Learn how to format a screenplay… • Wri...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-2/
7 best screenwriting pitch sites to help you sell your script. Once you’ve written the “perfect script,” there’s nothing you want more than to get it out there and into the right hands....
Script doctor 101: What they do, how to hire one and become one. If you think you’ve reached a stage with your script where you need some help from a professional screenwriter, hiring one as ...
34 Best Screenwriting Websites Every Writer Should Know Welcome to our handpicked rundown of the best screenwriting websites we think you should be super familiar with as a writer. We’ve person...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/best-screenwriting-websites/
50 of the best TV scripts to download and study to improve your writing. Just like in our post on the best screenplays to read, we’ve broken down our list of the best TV scripts into the foll...
8 best non-screenwriting books that will help you become a screenwriter. When most aspiring screenwriters decide to pick up a book that’ll help them break into the industry, it’s usually a sc...
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What is a script consultant? A complete guide for aspiring writers. What’s one thing smart aspiring screenwriters have in common with professional screenwriters? They get feedback on their work...
How to Write a Dramedy Script: The Secret Sauce to Greatness. This article will discuss the fundamentals of how to write a dramedy for both movies and TV. We’ll explore the commonly asked que...
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Script coverage: an introduction. You’ve finally written the words “fade out” on your script, but how do you know if it’s good enough to send out into the industry? The tried and trusted ...
Script Development 101: Option Agreements, Development Deals & More. Confused about the script development process once a script starts to gain some “heat” from the industry? Baffled by optio...
How to write a flashback in a script. Wanna know how to write a flashback in a script the right way? Great, because some of the most memorable moments in cinema history have been flashbacks. Fr...
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How to write a montage in a script: a quick and dirty guide. We’ve seen them in countless movies and TV shows, but knowing how to write a montage in a script is another matter altogether. •...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-write-a-montage-in-a-script/
20 best drama script examples to download and read for free. Writing a drama script is a great way to showcase your character development skills—and, notoriously, practically all Oscar and Nich...
How to write a script for a short film: a 9-step guide. Ever considered writing a short film as a way into Hollywood? As a screenwriter, you might think that your only ticket to a career is b...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-write-a-script-for-a-short-film/
The 6 key character archetypes needed to nail the perfect cast list. You’ve probably heard that you should develop a movie script’s characters using a seemingly endless array of “character ...
How to write a believable police investigation scene in your script. Thankfully, screenwriting isn’t just about “writing what you know.” It’s obviously also about creating and recreating ...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/police-investigation-scene-script/
Save the Cat Beat Sheet vs. Screenplay Sequences. Just how useful is a Save the Cat beat sheet (also known as the “Blake Snyder beat sheet”) to the budding writer? Is it the go-to template th...
How to write a fight scene in a script. Writing fight scenes can be tricky for many screenwriters. How exactly do you lay out a fight scene on the page? Do you describe every blow and gunshot? ...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-write-a-fight-scene-in-a-script/
Learn how to write a TV show bible and market your pilot like a pro. So you’ve got a great idea for a TV show… Do you just write the pilot and start sending it out into the industry? Or do yo...
Ageism in Hollywood and how to break in as a writer over 40. Unfortunately, ageism in Hollywood is definitely real. The many lawsuits and payouts over the years are proof of the fact that the i...
Download all 10 best original screenplay and best adapted screenplays. The Oscar nominations for best original screenplay and best adapted screenplay 2020 have been announced! Reading screenplays...
If there’s so much information out there on how to craft the perfect three-act structure, why is it so hard to put it into practice in your own script? Why is it so difficult to know how the he...
How to use short film scripts to kickstart your screenwriting career. Are you sitting around by the phone waiting for a producer to kickstart your career? Here’s another option: kickstart it y...
Character description examples: how to hook the reader. In this post, we’re going to show you how to get the reader to emotionally connect with your characters—particularly your protagonist�...
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Create a professional screenplay title page in 3 steps. The first impression you give a reader about the quality of your writing is on the screenplay title page. How you present the information o...
20 best comedy scripts to read and download for free. Here are twenty of the best comedy scripts that you can download and read to help make writing a comedy script that much easier. Study these ...
High concept: what it is and how to apply it to your story idea. Is Deadpool “high concept”? What about Midnight in Paris? Or The Purge? The fact that you can ask ten different writers and ge...
How to write a script outline that will save you months of rewrites. Writing a script outline is probably the most important preparatory step you can take as a writer. It can save you from havi...
How to format dialogue in a screenplay: top 8 dialogue format “errors.” Peppering a spec script with dialogue format errors may not completely derail the reader’s experience, but they defin...
How do you know if your script’s ready to send out into the industry? You’ve finished a screenplay. But how do you know if your script’s ready to send out? How do you know when it’s “fi...
How to pitch a movie idea and sell your script with style. You’ve learned how to write a screenplay. You’ve written a few Grade A spec scripts that have received ringing endorsements from s...
Protagonist and antagonist conflict: why it’s between 3 characters not 2. When it comes to the protagonist and antagonist in a screenplay, aspiring screenwriters are constantly being told cli...
How to find time to write: 48 ways to become a more productive writer. On the one hand, you’d like to know how to find time to write to finish that screenplay, TV pilot or treatment (or star...
Movie title ideas: 3 ways to come up with the coolest titles ever. Movie title ideas matter. A lot. While you’ve probably heard a lot about how the first page of your story is the most import...
Character arc: the secret sauce to demonstrating your hero’s growth. Creating a strong character arc can be a difficult and confusing enterprise for many writers. If you want to break into the ...
Show don’t tell: how to turn a talky script into a visual masterpiece. When it comes to advice on script dialogue, the old chestnut “show don’t tell” is one of the most oft-repeated out ...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/show-dont-tell-screenwriting/
Script dialogue: if your characters are just talking you’re doing it wrong. When it comes to how to write great dialogue in a script, most advice tends to be quite vague. For example, you’ll ...
Script ideas: 5 proven ways to unlock original movie ideas. Are you the kind of writer who has notepads full of script ideas that you don’t have enough time to write? Or do you spend hours star...
Screenwriting software: the 7 best programs compared. Comparing all the best screenwriting software options out there can be overwhelming. When each program has multiple cool-sounding features,...
How to write a logline: the ultimate step-by-step guide. Learning how to write a logline that achieves this is perhaps the most important stage in the planning and development phase of writing ...
Best screenwriting courses in the US, Canada and worldwide. If you’re trying to find the best screenwriting courses in the world, we recommend checking out those listed in this post. These ar...
Script writing courses: kickstart to a writing career or a waste of money? Many of today’s professional screenwriters are graduates of script writing courses, particularly MFAs. And gaining a ...
How to become a screenwriter: a pro’s guide to unlocking your career. Want to know how to become a screenwriter? Here are seven steps that will take you from newbie writer with no track record ...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-become-a-screenwriter-one-day/
Screenwriter salary: average earnings and managing money as a writer. The goal of any aspiring screenwriter is to get paid for, well, writing. But what exactly does it take to be compensated for ...
How to plan a screenplay: three crucial steps to take before your first draft. Learning how to plan a screenplay can be a daunting task. Of course, any undertaking in creative writing has an in...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-plan-a-screenplay-3-steps-to-take-before-your-first-draft/
How to adapt a novel into a screenplay in 10 steps. If you’re wondering how to adapt a novel into a screenplay, you’re in good company. So were Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games), Annie Proul...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-adapt-a-novel-into-a-screenplay/
Script coverage example: how to learn what readers are looking for. Just what is script coverage exactly? On this page, you can download a script coverage example of the various kinds used in t...
How to format a script if you want to break into the spec market. If you’re confused by how to format a script, you’re in the right place. The following post contains excerpts from our book, ...
What is an inciting incident in a screenplay? Does an inciting incident have to involve the protagonist? Does it have to occur during a specific minute in Act 1? What story function should it ser...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenplay-inciting-incident/
How to write dialogue between two characters by comparing it to tennis. Learning how to write dialogue between two characters is one The post How to Write Dialogue Between Two Characters (Ins...
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20 inspiring TED talks on storytelling, writing, filmmaking and creativity. Welcome to our curated list of the top TED talks on storytelling. Originally founded in 1984, the TED media organizat...
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35 quick edits to improve your script’s writing style in 24 hours or less. A reader knows from the very first page whether the writer knows how to write. It’s clear from the dialogue, format...
How to write a phone conversation in a screenplay: the definitive guide. Confused by how to write a phone conversation in a script? In this post, we’re going to take a look at the three main me...
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“How do I get a screenwriting agent and manager?” This is the most popular question we get here at Script Reader Pro. So we thought we’d finally demystify the process of how to gain the att...
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How to Stress-Test Your Main Character by Adding a Fatal Flaw (The following is a guest post by screenwriter and professor, Aaron Mendelsohn.) Being a stickler about a protagonist’s fatal flaw ...
Film dialogue: how to harness the power of your characters’ opinions. Film dialogue is like paint on a car. It’s the last thing that’s put on but it’s the first thing everyone notices. An...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/make-dialogue-sound-like-movie-dialogue/
How to copyright a script the smart way and avoid these 5 legal pitfalls. This is a guest post by entertainment lawyer, Danny Jiminian, Esq. He lets us in on how to copyright a script and other ...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-copyright-a-script-and-four-other-legal-pitfalls-to-avoid/
5 proven paths to a screenwriter career that will motivate you today. Is starting a screenwriter career in Hollywood, or anywhere else for that matter, a realistic career goal? Yes. And no… Th...
5 of the best movie scripts to learn from in each major genre. Professional film scripts are one of the best tools screenwriters have at their disposal. There is nothing else that gives you the ...
Screenplay submissions 101: how to submit a screenplay like a pro. So you’ve written a great script… Now what? To many aspiring screenwriters, figuring out what to do with a screenplay once ...
How to make your script writing style leverage 100x more suspense. There is one vital ingredient that sets apart the script writing style of screenplays that sell from those they don’t… SUSPE...
Why you should stop thinking of movie script format in terms of rules. (This post is an extract from our book “Master Screenplay Formatting: A Clear Guide On How To Format A Screenplay For The ...
Make screenplay character development 100x easier with this #1 hack. Do you have an incredible idea for a script, but are unsure how to make the characters feel real? Do you often get the note ba...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenplay-character-development/
3 bad excuses writers give for not organizing a screenplay table read. You may have heard that it’s a good idea to read your screenplay aloud with a group of your peers. But have you actually t...
How to write comedy scripts with laugh out loud dialogue. Learning how to write comedy scripts that make readers laugh out loud is no easy task. But if you’re writing a comedy, your dialogue ha...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/how-to-write-comedy-scripts/
Female Screenwriters: Don’t Worry About Stats – Here’s How to Break In There’s been a lot of handwringing lately about the WGA statistics released in April. They stated that female screen...
How to write a screenplay treatment that will get more script requests. In this post, we’re going to not only clear up some of the confusion surrounding the screenplay treatment and also how to...
15 screenplay examples from each genre for you to download and study. In this post, we’ve curated just for you three screenplay examples from each of the five major genres: drama, comedy, actio...
What Is a script editor and what can they do for your script? Are you looking to hire a “script editor” but are unsure what the term means exactly? Let’s clear up the confusion surrounding ...
Movie script analysis examples and hacks used by pro writers that will improve your script. Here’s an exclusive look inside our script analysis process and some of the hacks used by our profes...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/7-kick-ass-hacks-we-use-in-our-script-analysis/
14 essential screenwriting jobs sites for the savvy screenwriter in 2024. Before accepting a writing gig and spending hours of your time working on someone else’s project, always remember: not ...
Read screenplays online for free using these 5 websites. Aside from our own list of 50 of the best screenplays to read and our list of the 50 best TV scripts, you’ll find the five best website...
8 out of 10 writers have been told how to write a scene the wrong way… The most common advice given on how to write a scene is to approach it from the angle of escalating conflict between a pr...
Why creating a character bio isn’t a great starting point (and what to do instead). You’ve probably heard that in order to create a great character, you should start with a character bio. May...
Why your script characters feel “flat” and how to fix it. Have you ever been told that your script characters feel “flat”? It’s a common note to receive. But we’re going to show you...
3 awesome Final Draft software tricks we learned from an insider. (The following is a guest post by Rebecca Norris, screenwriter and former lead technician on Final Draft software.) When I used t...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-in-final-draft/
The 3 best screenwriting books for beginners you should own. If you’re a newbie screenwriter, the following screenwriting books for beginners will give you a serious leg up when attempting to ...
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Most aspiring writers think there are just 2 or 3 screenplay beats in act 1… In his book, My Story Can Beat Up Your Story, Jeffrey Allan Schechter lays out how to toughen up your act one by inc...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/act-1-of-your-script-12-essential-beats/
Have You Been Told to Just “Write What You Know”? You have probably heard the old adage to “write what you know.” It’s a cliche, but a very popular one. Many screenwriters and writers...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/write-what-you-know-and-dont-be-boring/
Did you know there are 12 secret script beats you should include in act 1 of your screenplay? You have probably heard that Act 1 of a screenplay should include at least two script beats, or “...
Today we’re going to tackle the screenplay flashback, its three different types and how to use them in your script. Unfortunately, aspiring writers are constantly told by screenwriting “gurus...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/script-readers-dumb-things-they-say/
10 things smart writers do to build a screenwriting career. Building a successful screenwriting career is determined by two primary factors: perseverance and pure luck. As we have no control o...
Are you thinking of moving to Los Angeles to pursue a screenwriting career, but wondering if you really need to? Many people say you don’t need to, but are they right? In short, is moving to...
45 script writing skills every aspiring screenwriter should own. Yes, some screenwriting skills involve raw talent, but becoming a professional screenwriter also involves many screenwriting sk...
Here are eight keys to writing a scene that pops off the page and grabs the reader. Writing a scene—especially the big ones at major plot points—usually means adding these eight key principl...
On the nose dialogue examples and how to stop it killing your script. What’s the quickest way of letting someone reading your script know they’re in the hands of a novice? Answer: Write on th...
16 screenwriting tips that will improve your script today. You may have noticed there are quite a few bad screenwriting tips floating around out there. Advice that says you shouldn’t ever use...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-tips-and-tricks/
Should You Ever Answer a “Screenplays Wanted” Ad? Type “screenwriter needed” or “screenplays wanted” into an internet search engine and you’ll find yourself swamped in ads such as...
How to use the 500 Days of Summer script to master non-linear storytelling. Writing a script can be hard enough without playing around with time-frames and trying to still make it all make sense....
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/500-days-of-summer-screenplay/
Are you killing your chances of selling a script without realizing it? Avoid these Top 5 pitfalls and learn how NOT to write a screenplay. In short, a reader knows whether someone can write on ...
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Aspiring screenwriters are usually aware they need a screenplay theme but don’t know how to express it… In this post, we’re going to demystify the confusion about screenplay theme and show ...
How to use a script analysis worksheet to bulletproof Act 1. Writing a logline based on the actions of your protagonist in Act 1 is one of the best ways to make it tight and compelling. Use t...
You’re about to learn the epic technique most writers don’t use when it comes to writing a scene. Forget everything everyone’s been telling you about writing a scene. Things like “your ...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/tips-for-writing-a-screenplay/
Screenplay scene description: why is it so important? Often screenwriters are so busy grappling with the dynamics of their story—what their protagonist wants, what pages their act breaks are fa...
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenplay-scene-description/