Getting into the Hollywood industry can be a tough business. Many hopefuls have tried to get in, only a small fraction ever make it. Most of these people have been rejected without their script even been read. So how do you avoid this? The problem with most people is that they do not understand the language Hollywood speaks. There is etiquette in writing a screenplay which Hollywood can use. If you have the right presentation, you will get more of a chance than just a quick glance.
First of all, you need the right tools. Microsoft Word was not designed with screenwriting in mind. This doesn't mean that it is impossible to write a script on Word, but it is incredibly inconvenient in this field. Therefore, you might need writing software that is designed for the sole purposes of screenwriting. The most popular screenwriting software is probably Final Draft, which costs around $249, but there are others like CeltX, which is free. It is not impossible to use Word, but it is very inconvenient, as you will have to keep on formatting each line manually.
When writing a story, you have to write it like you are watching the movie itself. When you are watching a movie, what do you look out for? Producers know if a movie will sell or not by reading the pace of the script. The idea is to pace the story correctly so that the audience wouldn't lose interest halfway through. If the story bores the producer, you can forget it. Characters are another important part. A lot of movies make the mistake on concentrating on just the main story and do not actually develop the characters. Character development is when you show a side to your character that makes the viewer see your character in a different light. An example is that your character might come off as arrogant and conceited at first. If he was just like that, throughout the movie, people may start sympathizing with the bad guy instead, which might lead to the audience having mixed feelings at the end if he loses. But if you do something to the character, like revealing why he is like that or doing something selfless in a certain situation, it will give him some depth that wasn't apparent at the beginning. The idea is to develop your character at certain points throughout the movie that would want to make the audience want to know more.
So in short, if you want to make it in Hollywood, you will have to be prepared for anything. But with the right presentation, you can give your work more chance than just a brief glance.
If you want to learn more about screenwriting and the etiquette involved. Just sign up at http://downwritescreenplays.com. You will receive a free eBook on signing up.
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