Hello screenwriters!
My name is Phil Dyer and I am a screenplay reader for the Academy of Art University and for two production companies. I absolutely love screenwriters and screenwriting. For my money, screenwriters are the nicest and most interesting people to be around and screenwriting is the most fun and creative format that any writer could ever hope for. Screenwriters are even such great people that they are willing to overlook run-on sentences that end with prepositions, such as the one that I just wrote. That's just how cool screenwriters are!
Like many coverage writers who have come before me, I have seen the same basic screenwriting mistakes over and over again. That's understandable since screenwriting has a ton of little rules designed to keep anyone who isn't 100% committed to learning the craft out of the hallowed halls of the WGA. Every industry has it's own barriers to entry, so why shouldn't screenwriting?
My goal in writing this blog is to break down those barriers for you so that nothing will stand between you and the successful screenwriting career that you deserve. I'll start by posting my own top ten list of screenwriting mistakes that annoy readers the most – okay, that annoy me the most. Then I'll update the blog regularly with additional tips that will help you craft a screenplay that is guaranteed to impress any reader – or your blog money back!
I always welcome your comments and questions and will strive to reply to all of them. I hope that you will enjoy reading this blog and that you will become and even better screenwriter because of it.
Greetings, Phil. I am a Communications Media Ph.D. student with a background in video production, journalism, and public relations.
ReplyDeleteThough I've been creating comedy skit productions since my high school days, I have recently decided to delve into the screenwriting world as it has been an item on my "Must Do Before I Die" list for quite some time. And no, it's not because of a recently diagnosed terminal disease. There's no better way to bring down a positive post than mention terminal diseases, so let's awkwardly segue into the next point.
I've been collecting and reading the essential books on the topic for the past few months, but just discovered this blog a few hours ago. Your posts have been full of practical advice that I am very glad that I read before I got too far in my current script, and your humor is right up my alley. Before this turns into something that sounds completely like a fake testimonial written by yourself and/or mother, I want to say thanks and that I look forward to your future posts. So here it is: Thanks and I look forward to your future posts!
Thanks, Mom! ;-) Good luck with your script!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog through a Bluecat Screenplay newsletter. Wow. Down to earth advise that's easy to grasp!I like it! I will be back. (of course, no pun intended;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carolyn! I'm glad the information is helpful for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I came across your blog! I bookmarked it right away. Thank you for sharing the tips on screenwriting mistakes. I have my work cut out for me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, J Elizabeth!
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