In a [blog post](http://johnaugust.com/2005/how-to-rewrite) from 2005, John August has this general advice: >>Decide out what you want to accomplish, then figure out which scenes would need to change. The first instinct of a lot of writers is to start from the beginning of the script and look for dialogue blocks, action lines, or description to […]
In dialogue, how do you handle a character with a speech impediment?
If you have a character with a speech impediment, it most likely will be distracting — and quite possibly condescending — to try to mimic the impediment in all of his dialogue. Instead, include mention of the character’s speech impediment when you introduce him, and then write the dialogue as normal, doing your best to […]
If I am adapting a classic work that is in the public domain, should I credit the original writer?
When adapting and updating a well known property in the public domain, it is a bit of a judgement call as to whether or not the original work needs a “based on” credit. If it feels dishonest not to note it, note it. If not, it’s up to you. For a case like West Side […]
What is the difference between a logline and a tagline?
A “logline” is a movie’s concept boiled down to one or two sentences: *On his deathbed, a father tells the story of his life the way he remembers it: full of wild, impossible exaggerations. His grown son tries to separate the truth from the fantasy before it’s too late.* A “tagline” is a short, clever […]
What should I look for in an agent or manager?
Your agent and [manager](https://screenwriting.io/what-does-a-manager-do/) will help steer the direction of your career. Accordingly, you want to be sure your representatives are people who share the same philosophy and vision as you. Some good questions to ask a potential agent or manager: * Who are your other clients? * Who are people you plan on sending […]
How do you format an on-screen countdown clock?
There is no hard and fast rule to format an on-screen countdown clock. As with all general formatting advice, your goal is to express your idea clearly and simply, without taking the reader out of the scene. Any way you can accomplish that is acceptable. Your first instinct may be to mark each appearance of […]