by Katriena Knights

Created on: February 03, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

There are several mistakes that beginning screenwriters tend to make frequently. If you can learn to avoid these pitfalls, you'll be well on your way to rising above the "beginner" stage.

1. Too much talking. Film is primarily a visual medium. While your first instinct might be to allow your characters to tell the audience about themselves, fight that instinct. Figure out how to get your characters' details across in other ways-through visual cues (how their house is decorated, what actions they take in a certain situation) or through plot-dependent interaction with other characters.

2. Clunky exposition. This relates closely to #1. If a character is explaining himself or a plot point to another character in excruciating detail, your exposition has gotten out of hand. Again, try to get these details across in a way that's less talky and more visual.

3. Writing the screenplay like a novel. Books and scripts are entirely different forms. Too often, beginning screenwriters load their scripts with character details and internal dialog that can't possibly be represented on screen. Focus on details and snappy dialog that will get your story across in a way that can be easily filmed.

How to learn to do all these things? Watch a lot of movies, read a lot of screenplays and, most importantly, write, write, write.

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