How to Start Your Screenwriting Career in Seven Steps

So you want to become a screenwriter but don’t know where to begin, right? Screenwriting is worthwhile when you see your script come to life on the big screen. But how? Now, you can be a screenwriter no matter how old or young you are. Here are seven simple steps to help you become a screenwriter.

1. Purchase a good screenwriting software. I recommend you get Movie Magic Screenwriter.

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If you can’t afford screenwriting software, there a numerous free software you can download and use for the time being. I recommend Celtx. You can download it here. http://celtx.com/

2. Write a treatment, and then a screenplay. Preferably between 90 and 120 pages. One page is equivalent to one minute on screen.

Yes. It can be hard to write a screenplay. Most people get stuck around page 17 or even page 10. That’s why you need a treatment. It’s the blueprint of the screenplay that you follow. And if you still get stuck, why not try reading produced screenplays. It’s better to read screenplays of movies you have seen.

3. Copyright your work.

I’m sure after all that work, you have become quite paranoid of people stealing your idea. But you can’t be because nobody owns ideas. But people do own screenplays so go get your screenplay copyrighted. Here’s a site where you can register your screenplay. You don’t need to be a member. www.wcauk.com

4. Write a logline for your screenplay.

That’s a 2-3 sentence that summarizes your whole screenplay.

Tip: You’re not actually summarizing your screenplay, you’re trying to sell it.

So this logline needs to sound like a movie that will generate high profits at the box office.

5. Write a query letter.

You can see a sample of a query letter here. http://www.sellascript.com/source/examples.cfm.

6. Research your production companies.

Make you research your production companies before you send your query letter off. You don’t want to send a thriller to a production company looking for short dramas.

7. Send off your queries or use an e-query service.

There are lots of e-query services. Make sure you check out the companies that they submit to.

Best wishes!