The Secrets to Writing Compelling Scenes
ABOUT THE WEBINAR
There are two essential skill-sets required for screenwriting or TV writing success. The ability to write scenes that grab a reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading, and the ability to sequence those scenes into the most compelling order (story structure). These skills are not equal.
The first skill is far more important than the second one.
Many writers believe they already write sufficiently strong scenes, characters and dialogue, and that if they could only get better at story structure they’d be able to write professional-level scripts. Unfortunately, this is too often not the case.
I recently met a manager who received 116 script submissions from writers at a pitch fest. He read the first scene or two of each script, but would only continue reading if those scenes were written to professional-level standards. I asked how many scripts he read beyond the first couple of scenes? He said only two.
Which means he tossed 114 of the 116 scripts after only a few pages.
The single most important skill required for success is the ability to write original, powerful, and compelling scenes. If a writer can’t consistently do that, all the story structure in the world won’t save them. Without this ability, a writer simply has no shot.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- How to write scenes in compelling conflict
- What kind of scenes stand out and get you the right kind of attention
- How long (or short) should your scenes be?
- Avoiding the 5 mistakes that can sink your chances
- How to connect your scenes to the larger structure
- How to use organic escalations for high-impact pacing
- What scenes belong in your movie or pilot, and which ones do not?
WHO SHOULD LISTEN?
- Writers who want real tools to create the strongest possible scenes
- Seasoned writers as well as new writers
- Writers who have had a script rejected
- TV writers as well as feature writers
- Writers who are about to start a new script
- Writers who are about to rewrite their existing script
The Writers Store does not offer any refunds for the webinar. All sales are final.