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5 Simple Tips To Help You Break In As A Screenwriter

How To ‘Break In’ Every week, screenwriters email me about how to ‘break in’ as a writer. They will ask me what they should do next, or why it’s going wrong for them. Personally, I’ve always advocated creating one’s career, rather than focusing on how to ‘break in’. I feel the latter promotes the idea that the industry is a locked shop and writers are being kept ‘out’. This has never been my experience, because I’ve never believed that. I’ve also followed the 5 tips below. So if you are ready to ‘break in’ (or rather, create your career!), then… Read More »5 Simple Tips To Help You Break In As A Screenwriter

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55 Top Tips Bang2writers Already Know … Do You?

Don’t Miss Out Bang2writers this year have swarmed all over this website … With 35K+ hits per month this year,  they’ve absorbed its delicious writing-tip-goodness like the 1950s version of The Blob. Wow! But this means NON-regular Bang2writers might be at a disadvantage. You see, this blog has been going for a looooong time now. So if you’ve not read the most popular articles on this site? You are literally missing out on the knowledge your competition already knows!! But you know B2W will always have you covered. So I’ve rounded up the top 55 articles Bang2writers hit consistently this… Read More »55 Top Tips Bang2writers Already Know … Do You?

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5 Things I Learned As A Writer From Unexpected Source Material

Great source material and inspiration is everywhere for writers … But sometimes we just didn’t look hard enough! This is why I found Oscar’s article about writing and making a short film for The Pitch so fascinating. For those who don’t know, this contest uses the Bible as the source material. Check out the things he’s learned in the process, plus watch the films produced by clicking on the links. Also do be sure to check out the details for the contest at the bottom of the post. Good luck if you go for it! The Greatest Stories Ever Told?… Read More »5 Things I Learned As A Writer From Unexpected Source Material

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Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Low Budget Horror

Low budget horror has been all the rage for YEARS now. But don’t take my word for it  — I’ve drafted in an expert, Samantha Horley, an ex sales agent. Sam used to work at such companies as Salt and Summit Entertainment, so really knows her onions – she even helped make the commercial success that was The Blair Witch Project. Over to you, Sam! Low Budget Mistakes I get approached regularly by investors, sales companies and distributors, directors and producers, looking for low budget horror films. Some of them even  have that rare beast – the cash to fully… Read More »Top 5 Mistakes Writers Make With Low Budget Horror

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4 Things I Learned from SOLO! Screenwriter Jonathan Hall

Jonathan Hall is not only a member of the Bang2write community, but also a seasoned screenwriter with credits such as BBC’s Doctors, as well as award-winning short films In The Mood and Mr Thornton’s Change of Heart. Jonathan’s recent feature SOLO! is an inspiring story for all filmmakers – it’s the ultimate example of making it happen on your own. SOLO!  is a musical, romantic comedy and was shot over in Valencia, Spain and recently selected for the Marbella Film Festival.  If you’re struggling to imagine your ideas off the page, then Jonathan’s interview and tips are not to be missed!… Read More »4 Things I Learned from SOLO! Screenwriter Jonathan Hall

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4 Top Lessons On Writing Children

As I mention in my book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays, I frequently see child and teen characters in specscreenplays that ‘feel’ like ‘movie kids’ rather than rounded, three dimensional characters. So I was delighted to read the excellent WATERBABIES by Writer/Director Andy Simpson, which doesn’t make this basic mistake! When Andy suggested writing a guest post on this subject for B2W,  I jumped at the chance … His script tips are contrasted with his directing experience, so Bang2writers get the ‘full picture’ of going BEYOND the page, too. Invaluable!! Over to you, Andy … Are there children in your script?… Read More »4 Top Lessons On Writing Children

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Crowdfunding 101: Top 10 Tips

Whether you’re crowdfunding for your movie or short film on Kickstarter; your book on Unbound; a charity on JustGiving – or something else! – you would do well to check out the mahvellous Zee from FNAFilms’ top tips on crowdfunding today. FNA ran a very successful campaign for its debut feature The Stagg Do, so it’s safe to say they know their stuff. Over to you, Zee! Don’t underestimate how much hard work goes into a crowd funding campaign. You can’t set up a campaign and leave it. Build it and they will NOT come, unless they know about it.… Read More »Crowdfunding 101: Top 10 Tips

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Gender Inequality In Film: 5 Key Findings

Gender inequality in the film industry has been a hot topic for a good while now, but especially in recent weeks. Over the past nine months, Stephen Follows researched gender inequality in the UK Film Industry. Stephen is an award-winning writer and producer, so we can feel assured he knows exactly what he’s talking about. Check out his full report HERE, plus the many projects he’s been involved in, HERE. You can follow him on Twitter as @StephenFollows (and you should!). So Bang2writers! I read Stephen’s whopping 140 page report, not to mention a stack of other articles and discussion. Stephen himself also… Read More »Gender Inequality In Film: 5 Key Findings

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6 Things Low Budget Filmmakers Must Do

All About Low Budget Filmmaking If you’re into low budget filmmaking, this one is for you! We’re big on filmMAKING as well as *just* screenwriting here at B2W. Make sure you check out these very real ways of ensuring your script actually gets MADE … (instead of languishing on your desktop forever)! This blog post is courtesy of Samantha Horley, who’s also written 6 Ways To Make Your Screenplay More Likely To Get Made on this site. Ready? Let’s go … Lots of books, online tutorials and magazines offer hints about low budget film-making. Most seem to relate to ways you… Read More »6 Things Low Budget Filmmakers Must Do

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5 Tips For Screenwriters To Find A Producer (And 3 More On Why You’re Failing)

Find Out How It Works So I don’t have to go far on internet-land before I find one of these guys: WRITER: Tell me how to get a producer??? ME: Sure. Come up with a great concept, make sure you know your audience. WRITER: ERM, YOU DIDN’T TELL ME ANYTHING! ME: Le sigh. OK, find out what is possible for what £££, then you’re more likely to hit the mark. WRITER: Fuck that. That’s the producer’s job. ME: OMFG, fine. Start networking, create some relationships. Find them that way. WRITER: WTAF??? But I only want to write!!! So this is… Read More »5 Tips For Screenwriters To Find A Producer (And 3 More On Why You’re Failing)

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“It’s A Catch 22!” How To Get Produced Without An Agent

  Writer Woe You don’t have to go far on the internet to find screenwriters bemoaning their lot. Whether it’s “No Unsolicited Material” getting them down, or the fact producers will want writers to get agents (and vice versa), the cry of “It’s a Catch 22!” is seemingly always round the (digital) corner. But it’s not a Catch 22! Fact is, there has never been a better time to be a screenwriter. It’s easier than ever to get produced … AND without the aid of an agent. Here’s how … “How Do I Break In As A Screenwriter?’ I’m asked this question… Read More »“It’s A Catch 22!” How To Get Produced Without An Agent

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10 Quick Tips About Writing Thriller Screenplays

1) Thrillers THRILL … We all know this … So how come MOST thrillers in the spec pile *feel* like dramas with a bit of running about in?? Because they LACK TENSION! So keep tension in mind, ‘cos you’re gonna need it! MORE: 8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Thriller Screenplay DEAD 2) … And they thrill from PAGE ONE! So it used to be scribes got ten pages to pique a reader’s interest … Not any more! You gotta hit the ground running and kick it off from page one – or bust! Sad maybe, but true … The good… Read More »10 Quick Tips About Writing Thriller Screenplays

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