10 Hollywood Screenwriting Techniques

In an interview, a former studio executive said, "Hollywood is the world's largest gated community." The entertainment capital of the universe, the $91.83 billion industry, the "who-knows-who" business, is indeed uber tough to break into. When it comes to screenwriting, there are no rules in Hollywood. Only "customs". But they are stronger than laws.

A script is meant to be read

So, make sure the ride is fun all the way through. Not just the conversation. Not just the description. Not just the first one. Not just in the middle. Not just the ending. A writing with precision, felicity, and fluency. Finally making your reader say, "Great read!"

A screenplay is not a novel

A script is not just prose like you would find in a novel. It is writing that works for a movie. A screenplay is a blueprint for how to make the movie. A piece of writing that makes the reader feel like they are in a movie. If a novel is the "gossip", a screenplay is the "scandal".

Short sentences

A survey shows that consumers are more likely to try bite-sized cookies or samples. Before they know it, they can't stop wanting more. Ren Descartes was right: "Split each problem into smaller parts in order to resolve it."

Short first paragraph

First impression is the instant opinion formed when encountering someone or something for the first time. That's your first paragraph! That is the "prototype" of your writing. Is it breezy? Or is it a drag? Your prototype is their stereotype.

Short description

"Lonely beach. Naked feet. Velvet sky. Starry eyes".

This one-liner is both cinematic and poetic. It is also visual and effectual for directors to paint those pictures in their minds. Ultimately making them want to shoot it.

The first dialogue is not too far down the first page

A director confessed, "When I get a script, even if I don't plan to read it at that moment, I will always want to take a little peak. The first dialogue is extremely critical because I'm going to hear, imagine, and connect with the character."

Surprise your reader (and yourself) with the first and every dialogue

A couple is sitting in a restaurant staring at the menu.

The gentleman, "I want tofu with spicy ketchup."

He turns to his girlfriend, "What do you want?"

She looks him in the eye, "I want breakup."

Storytelling on the fast lane

Unlike novels, screenplays are all about economy. Every word counts. Every line earns its place. Unlike instruction manuals, you don't use film language such as lenses, camera angles, etc. Don't overwrite. Just advance your story. "Start fast, finish slow; write fast, rewrite slow".

Originality is the new quality

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.