SCREENWRITING TIPS BY ALYN DARNAY

[Rachel Galvin]

ALYN DARNAY

Alyn Darnay held a screenwriting workshop to inspire writers, offer words of wisdom and promote his new book "The Script" (Review soon). This UCLA graduate used to be a reader for 20th Century Fox and MGM for years before settling into being a screenwriter and director himself. He offered several key tips that writers should follow when developing a script:

1) Write in visual terms (think of the scene visually)
2) Stick to 112 pages for feature-length. (too short or two long will leave you looking like a novice in most cases)
3) For character development: create at least three traits (some of which are opposing) for the character, mannerisms the character would do and allow the character to have an arc-- to grown and change, to overcome an emotional fear, limitation, block or wound. Use dialogue rather than narration to exemplify characteristics. Have a background on each character, some longer than others, know where they were before the scene and where they go after. Make the main character sympathetic. Feed on the nastiness of the villain. Everyone loves a good villain. What are the character's objectives? Why do they do what they do and why are they where they are?
4) Avoid cliches to sell scripts
5) Look to create a new world people have never seen, a place people have never been, different names and occupations, etc.
6) Create high concept scripts to make money (take a money-making blockbuster and duplicate it but change three elements. Changing any three elements changes the whole script. For example, "Die Hard" with a new threat, new villains and in a new setting can become "Under Siege."
7) In a feature film, keep to this structure: first act: introduce character, hero and hero's objective, approximately 30 pages. The break comes when the character decides to forge on. Second act: The hero (protatgonist) comes up against obstacles. Approximately 60 pages. The break comes when the main character is at his/her lowest point. Third act: Things are on an upswing; the protagonist comes to grip with his/her arc, climax of scene and wrap up, approximately 30 pages.
8) Create tools to discipline yourself. Set aside time and a quiet place for writing every day, as well as implements for writing (pen, pencil, laptop, paper, etc.) Want to format easily but don't have Final Draft? Download a free copy of Celtx. It's basically the same thing!
9)Write the script to get it done, then read through and rewrite several times, as needed. If you take a break, re-read at least part of what you wrote before in order to proceed and be in the same mindframe as before. Stuck? Skip the scene and move on to the next.
10)Worrying about someone stealing your script? It happens, but you can protect yourself. Have the postman date stamp your script in an envelope sealed and never open it -- poor man's copyright. Or register with WGA (he recommends east branch -- cheaper), $18.95. Or register with the Library of Congress, which takes longer, $35.

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