5 Things Screenwriters Need to Know About Filmmaking

1. It's a collaborative artform.

A screenwriter's job is to inspire the entire team.

2. It's not easy.

The quickest route into the industry is with a hot screenplay - a screenplay that everyone wants.

Nothing about the creative industry is easy. There are no shortcuts. Don’t fall into the trap that has snared so many by thinking you can dash off 10,000 – 12,000 words (the average length of a screenplay) and then quit your day job and call yourself a screenwriter.

Study and watch movie after movie.  Read script after script in the sample libraries. Learn as much as you can about how movies are made.

3. Self-Promotion

Learn how to network.

Create a body of work that makes you look great.

Learn how to market and sell your script.

4. Write alot.

Apply the ‘10,000 Hour Rule.' Basically, if you want to get really good at screenwriting, you need to dedicate at least 10,000 hours to it.

5. Knowledge.

Screenwriters should learn as much about the industry and how films are made and marketed as possible.