10 Hollywood Screenwriting Techniques

Don't write a story that's already been told, but the one that nobody has heard because you haven't told it yet.

Like this, "With AI, a tribe revives all of its generals to reclaim their past glory and take over the world. But, they are not alone".

Follow the industry standard best practices

The inciting incident usually happens between pages 8 and 12. The next big event happens between page 18 and 20. The story builds up until the protagonist starts to take action around page 75. The character hits rock bottom at around page 90 in a screenplay, or minute 90 in a film.

Hitting page points or page ranges may seem formulaic and predictable. However, top Hollywood writers who make big money have internalized this framework. In fact, this is Hollywood's success formula! Studios are reluctant to take risks on new or unproven recipes.

Indeed, not every screenwriter dreams of Hollywood. But you can still learn from the 95% of its great movies that follow these techniques.

Art is personal because it's about trying to see things that other people don't. Writing is an art, and there is no right way to make art. The only wrong is that you quit writing.