February 2023 Contest Winners!
Jan 2023 Monthly Contest Winners
The Successful Screenwriter Monthly Contest Winners for January 2023 Screenwriting Competition.
10 Common Dialogue Mistakes You’re Probably Making
Your dialogue is the lifeblood of your screenplay. It’s what takes an average scene and turns it into something great. But when it comes to writing good dialogue, it can be helpful to know what hazards to avoid. In this article, we’ll discuss 10 common mistakes people make when writing their characters’ conversations—and how you can avoid them!
5 Alternative Ways To Sell Your Script
Selling a screenplay is difficult, but it’s not impossible. I’ll talk about five alternative ways to sell a screenplay and how they can help you get your work in front of the right people.
October 2022 Winners
The winners are announced for The Successful Screenwriter: Monthly Contest (October 2022)
10 things you need for a pitch deck with Dara Resnik
When creating a series, there’s a balancing act between how you create and how you present it.
Ep 28 – Directing & Writing Dave Made a Maze
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what it takes to make […]
7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ADAPTATIONS
7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ADAPTATIONS By JoAnn Hess I’m sure there’ve been many times when you’ve read that book, graphic novel, or even listened to a song and thought… that would make a great movie or TV show. The popularity and success of such works have created an obsession with IP (Intellectual […]
7 Terrifying Scripts You Must Read
#1 Get out A young African-American visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point. Critic Consensus: Funny, scary, and thought-provoking, Get Out seamlessly weaves its trenchant social critiques into a brilliantly effective and entertaining horror/comedy thrill ride. Tomato Meter 98% Audience […]
A Screenwriters Fear is their Fuel
It was 5 pm and I just got off a long flight and barely had enough time to change into my “nice” clothes. I rush to the first big film festival I was ever nominated for an award in. That’s when the Fest Director runs up to me and says, “they are waiting to interview […]
We Need to Talk About Mental Health & Breaking into Screenwriting
If you listened to to my recent interview with Geoffrey on Ep22 of The Successful Screenwriter Podcast, you’ll see that we had an absolute blast. It was one of the most fun interviews I’ve recorded where I blew off a lot of steam and got a lot off my chest and when listening back to […]
Top 5 Best Stage to Screen Adaptations
Growing up on Long Island, Manhattan and its legendary theatres would call out to me in my sleepy town of Massapequa. Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of local culture: Billy Joel, Steve Guttenberg, the Mets. These are our local heroes and pop culture touchstones. But just an hour ride westbound on the Long […]
Stanley Kubrick – Downloadable Screenplays
Kubrick is truly a mastermind of cinema. He shared screenwriting credits on most of his films and is known as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. His films and screenplays tended toward book adaptations which covered a wide range of genres from scifi to drama. He is known for his gritty realism, dark […]
Christopher Nolan – Downloadable Screenplays
Christopher Nolan is a groundbreaking filmmaker. He has been known to write screenplays with his brother Jonathan. He explores such themes in his films as morality, personal identity, and even time itself. He has used nontraditional narrative structure in his films such as with Memento and Inception. He has been listed as one of the […]
Quentin Tarantino – Downloadable Screenplays
Quentin Tarantino has a distinct style which has lead him to become one of the defining filmmakers of his generation. He has been known to use a mix of graphic violence paired with dark humor which takes his audience on an emotional rollercoaster. He has been listed as one of the top 10o most influential […]
David S. Goyer – Downloadable Screenplays
David S. Goyer can be accredited with kicking off the superhero film craze with his screenplay for Blade in 1998 which became hugely successful. He didn’t stop there though. He further went on to craft the screenplays for Godzilla, The Unborn, and The Dark Knight Trilogy, He has branched out into television with such hits […]
Establishing Characters: It’s a Wonderful Life
‘Tis the season to kick up your feet and watch a classic Christmas movie. One staple of the season is It’s a Wonderful Life. As I started watching the Jimmy Stewart perennial, I noticed how much the screenwriters fully used the first 12 minutes of the movie to establish characters that continually feedback into the […]
6 Keys to Cowriting a Screenplay
Co-writing is something that every screenwriter needs to do at least once in their career. It will improve your writing by leaps and bounds. There’s nothing wrong with being a lone wolf, but you miss out on the beauty of collaboration. The moment when youAwesoom are in sync with a writing partner is a feeling […]
Film vs. Video Games – How Writing Their Scripts Can Be Similar (and Different)
Storytelling is as old as fire, perhaps older. No matter the medium, there is always a way to weave drama, suspense, comedy, and character into it. As screenwriters, we’re accustomed to weaving these elements into our features, pilots, and shorts. There is one storytelling medium that’s been on the rise in past decades. Video Games […]
6 Romantic Scripts You Will Love To Read
Romance and comedy can go great together. And much like some couples, they don’t always have to “be” together. Maybe there are times you just want to laugh. Other times, you want to feel the love butterflies without jokes getting in the way of your romantic desires. Thankfully we’ve got a list of screenplays that […]
8 Eldritch Horror Scripts You Must Read
Eldritch Horror is a genre for weird, supernatural, ghostly, or sinister horror. The idea of this horror is to explore brands and ideologies far beyond what we can perceive and relate to. Within film, Eldritch Horror can be polarizing because of the inherent disconnect with its audience and main characters because of the notion of […]
The Falcon & the Winter Soldier – A Tale of Two Villains
I’ll just preface this by saying I’m really enjoying “The Falcon & the Winter Soldier”, even more so than “Wandavision”, which started off slowly, built up really well, and then crapped the bed in its finale. I love the chemistry between Sam and Bucky, and Zemo has been a welcome addition (shades of Supernatural, with […]
Diverse Screenwriting
by Alainna MacPherson Numbers and statistics aren’t necessary to feel the lack of diversity in the film and television industry. The world has been woke over the last 365 days on how much movies and shows are whitewashed or misrepresented. I was one of those people who brushed off the problem when it first was […]
The Falcon & the Winter Soldier –What makes a hero?
*SPOILERS* The latest episode is called “Truth”, and it effectively sheds light on many of the main and supporting characters and their personal histories, while weaving in the themes of heroism and its cost on both the hero and those who look up to them. Starting with John Walker, we see a man hailed as […]
How to Avoid a Pass on Your Script
BECOME A MEMBER & GET ACCESS TO: Screenwriting Courses Free Hollywood Screenplays to download Free Instructional Videos Uncut interviews with Industry Screenwriters Sponsors The Guide For Ever Screenwriter – (Paperback) (Free Ebook) We Fix Your Script – (Free Consultation) Script Summit Screenplay Contest – (Early Bird Submission) Keep in touch with The Successful Screenwriter Facebook […]
The Future of the “Zoom Writers Room”
Will the Zoom writers rooms continue after the world returns to “normal?” With the vaccine nearly in full swing and studios returning to filming with a plethora of safety measures, the next biggest question in the film industry is whether or not writers rooms will return to in-person once things go back to “normal?” The […]
Top 10 Tips for Guerilla Filmmaking
1. Begin By this, I mean, go to a quiet place, think about the project you want to create and then make a decision to commit to it and begin. Once you begin, ensure nothing stops you from getting it made. Nothing can stop you if in that moment when you made the decision to […]
It’s Time to Switch Genres (6 Books to Help You)
There’s no question that writing in a new genre can feel like you are starting from scratch. It can be incredibly overwhelming and super frustrating. Especially if you’re like me and have been developing your skill at this craft for a while now. But that is exactly why we must do it. In order to […]
How to Land a Screenwriting Gig on UpWork
Writing isn’t an easy field to break into. Anyone with a keyboard can throw words on a page and call it writing. Those of us who went to school for our craft may have found some success. However, most of us are still looking for that big break into the field. You aren’t going to […]
Clubhouse for Screenwriters: Opportunities & Scams
The first time I heard about Clubhouse, I had a hard time understanding the concept of what it was. An app that was by invite only, exclusively for iPhone users, that allowed you to talk to other people like zoom, but without video. If that doesn’t confuse you, then you must not be as old […]
N.E.T. – A Unique Solution to Writer’s Block
Writer’s block, some believe it exists and some don’t. No matter your side of the page, for the next few minutes of reading this, suspend all disbelief you may have about it and just stay open. Welcome to the neuroscience of screenwriting, where you’ll learn a simple and effective stress relief approach that clears the […]
Yes, Screenwriting Structure Matters (8 Books To Help)
I have noticed lately there has been a push against screenwriting structure within the community. Those who push against structure as non conformists boast about breaking the rules of convention and creating from the heart. They argue that structure is stifling and limits their art. They encourage other writers to shirk away from structure. That […]
How 2 Kids Found Film Distribution
Jake & Jack barely had a budget. Only $600. That’s it. There are fewer than 20 people as credited crew members (the average film list of credits on a feature film averages about 600). And they spent every weekend over the course of five months shooting their first feature film. With passion and determination though, […]
EP 26 – An Indie Filmmaking Conversation with Producer Damien Swaby
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Harley Wallen: Detroit Filmmaker lands Streaming deal with Tale of Tails
Harley Wallen didn’t always want to be in the movie and TV business. Growing up in Sweden, he found martial arts to be his first passion. “That was my original art,” Wallen says adding that he was also a breakdancer on a TV show in Sweden similar to a cabaret/Donny Osmond-type show. From there, he […]
EP25 – Making a Good Script Great with Linda Seger
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Top 7 Slasher Scripts You Must Read
One of the most iconic subgenres in Horror is the Slasher genre. When one thinks of Slasher Films, images of knife-wielding maniacs, gratuitous nudity, gore, and late teens partygoers come to mind. Slasher films are iconic because there is a certain audience expectation that comes with each film, but these trends were made by certain […]
Erin Rodman: Process and Perspective on Screenwriting
Erin Rodman has 2 movies coming out in the next 3 months, here’s her process & perspective on screenwriting Erin Rodman’s story is the epitome of what happens when hard work and passion pays off. Her new movie Advice to Love By premieres on October 16th, and the sequel to last year’s The Christmas House […]
David Winning: Storytelling and why getting pigeonholed into a specific genre is great
Every year, millions of households turn their television to the Hallmark Channel and watch the saccharine, sentimental films that are as predictable as they are romantic. It’s comfort food. It’s family fair. It’s a tradition. For the filmmakers who churned out the 41 Hallmark Christmas films premiering this year, it’s a challenge to create a […]
EP24 – Developing Fauda, Now on Netflix
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep23 – Writing & Selling Drama Screenplays
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep22 – Getting Exposure with Script Revolution
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep21 – Writing the Script for Final Destination with Jeffrey Reddick
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep20 – Taking Advantage of the ISA as a Screenwriter with Craig James & Molly Kasch
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep19 – Screenwriting and Directing Indie Film: The Shade Shepherd
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep18 – How to Take Advantage of CoverFly and get on the Red List with Tom Dever
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep17 – An Actors Perspective with Vincent M. Ward
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep16 – Using Proper Format to Get Read by a Producer with Dave Trottier
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep15 – How to use InkTip to Option Your Screenplay with Chris Cookson
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep14 – Taking Advantage of a 48hr Film Fest with Jennifer Gentner
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep13 – How to Give and Receive Story Notes with Kevin Hanna
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep12 – How to Create a Strong Antagonist with Ryan Laplante
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep11 – Writing Screenplay Adaptation with JoAnn Hess
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep10 – Writing a Contained Thriller with Kelly Schwarze
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep9 – What Attracts Hollywood Talent to a Screenplay Featuring Kevin Sorbo
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Intro: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
Ep8 – How to Land an Agent with your Screenplay Feat. Marc Pariser
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Geoffrey: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
EP7 – Screenwriting For Screenplay Contests & Film Festivals with Kristina Michelle
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Geoffrey: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
EP6 – Screenwriting for Mobile Gaming with Ryan LaPlante
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Geoffrey: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
EP5 – Screenwriting from an Actors Perspective with Jess Paul
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFHpodcastnetwork.com Geoffrey: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting. Here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to discover just what […]
EP4 – Screenwriting for an Intellectual Property with Marlene Sharp
AUDIO OF THIS PODCAST IS AVAILABLE HERE You are listening to the IFH Podcast network for more amazing filmmaking and screenwriting podcasts, just go to IFH podcast network Dotcom. Geoffrey: All right, welcome to the successful screenwriter podcast, where we are dedicated to anything and everything screenwriting here, we interview successful screenwriters and filmmakers to […]
7 TV Pilot Scripts You Must Read
To create a successful TV show, you must create a successful pilot episode. The pilot must hook the audience and establish the setting, the plot, the characters, the mood, and the rules of the show’s universe. Whether it’s an action-packed sci-fi series or a grounded character-based series, you must hook the audience early to keep […]