Screenwriting is a talent that sometimes comes naturally to the writer. People share different opinions on the word "good". For example: I thought Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" was one of the greatest movies ever made (The story, the internal and external conflicts) but a few of my friend that that it was the worst movie ever made.

One of the things to remember is that if you a screenplay which is very detailed and a horrible story, then think about the kind of movie its going to be. Some people like just the special effects in a movie and don't even pay attention to the story. Some look at a movie the other way.

Me, I don't really like reading books on screenwriting. Because I want to figure out the these things for myself. I may use one or two for just a little reference here and there, but I like when it come naturally.

In conclusion. There are many things that make a screenplay good. But the word "good" is viewed differently by different people. But you should be writing a very good story with all the details, Even if you do, the mvoie could still be bad to some people.

If you're just looking to do this for fun, go ahead. Don't worry about anything. You should have fun with it, really.

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When the script writing is done, the work has just begun. When the filming is done, the work has just begun. When post-production is done, the work has just begun. When the distribution is done, you decide if the work is done.

For me a good script isn't really good enough. It needs to be a 'great' script.

If you read it and you just can't stop reading it because you want to know what is happening then that is a great script and you'll either want to tell the world about it because it is so great ot you'll want to keep it quiet incase another producer gets his hands on it.

On the otherhand, if you finish the script and think that was good - then it isn't really good enough.

It is all about story and dialogue that makes a really great script. If it contains camera angles then that is a shooting script and really screenwriters need to leave shots to the director and DP.

??Goofy Horace??

A great script needs to impact the reader/audience emotionally. The same as a gret film. It hooks the audience from the opening scene. It has to connect throught the emotions of the audience. And you want many emotions running through the story. It has to be an emotional roller-coaster ride. Think of your favorite films and determne what you like about them. Remember...the film is for the audience. What does the audience want? They want it all. Are you writing this film for the mainstream audience? Who is your audience?

Read as many screenwriting books as you can. Look at every one's viewpoint on the subject then you can determine how you want to write. You can take bits and pieces from every book and it can save you years/decades of struggling trying to figure it out on your own.

If you are writing the script to sell then you do not want to put in any camera direction. You need to describe the story visually. Once you ahve written the must read script then if you plan on directing you can add in shooting notes, etc.

I personally think that a great script should be clever and querky. I have some tips of how to do this.

Get an old shoebox or start a Word document. Whenever you hear a good quote, be it clever, noble, funny, whatever write it down and lob it into the box. Once you have enough great quotes you can start on the script. Be sure that the quotes match with the story though - don't go lumping any old proverb into the completely wrong story.

Another idea before starting the story is to write out the storyline and then invent the characters. Draw pictures of them, and create profiles of them in Excel. I have a good sheet to create characters if you're interested.

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You can't keep 'em out, they're already in!

It's generally recommended to avoid detail until you get to a shooting script which is full of it, a good script is the same thing as a good book, good film or good piece of music, everyone's taste is different, to a Hollywood studio very weak scripts like "Bring It On" are nevertheless good because they make money, beauty (and good sciptwriting) is in the eye of the beholder.

Steve Piper
Coffee Films
www.coffeefilms.com
www.myspace.com/coffeefilms

Great tips from everyone! Thank you!

So does one describe the characters' appearances and personality traits in a script, or should that be ommited?

Svelter, your spreadsheet has definetely sparked my curiousity. And I loved your brilliant shoebox idea! What a great thing to do! Please let me know more about your spreadsheet.

Thanks again everyone!?:)?

Yes, your character traits and personality should be a part of the script - just leave camera angles, cuts/fades, etc to the director.

??Goofy Horace??

Sure, the shoebox idea works especially well if you're writing this script with a friend. After you've collected enough good quotes you can both empty the box and sieve through a load of proverbs that would fit into the idea of your film. My signature is actually a tainted version of a line said by the TV farmer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall when he was speaking about slugs.

Anyway, about the spreadsheet - basically you create an Excel document with the characters' names displayed vertically down the screen and a set of headings displayed horizontally across the top of the document. The headings are named things like 'Personality', 'Beliefs', 'Prized Possession', 'Fate' etc. Then you can fill in an answer to these headings underneath them to build up the characters' profiles. It's especially good for adding a new dimension to the people from the film.
If you give me your email address I can send you the file for your usage.

Also, when I'm writing a script, especially if I were to write it for somebody else, I finish the dialogue and direction and then write and draw what each character looks like in great detail. You shouldn't need to note the personality, that should shine through the lines given to them.

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You can't keep 'em out, they're already in!