What Is A ‘TV Series Bible’? A TV Series Bible refers to the treatment, or  pitch document that accompanies a spec TV pilot when it goes out on submission. Since there are spec TV pilot scripts flying all over the place, your bible needs to “stand out” from the rest of ’em. But how? Well, for me,… Read More »How To Write A TV Series Bible That Sells Your Pilot ‘Off The Page’

Some real submission horror stories here!! Many thanks to Carole Blake from the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency for providing a VERY comprehensive list on how NOT to submit to an agent. This is a fab list and  I have actually had a number 27 myself!! Maybe it was the same lady??? Enjoy, plus don’t forget to… Read More »29 Ways NOT To Submit To An Agent

Updated for 2020   It’s all about PAGE ONE We hear loads about the judgements made on our first ten pages, but spend even a short while as a script reader and you’ll see in real terms many scripts don’t even make it past the first PAGE. Le shock! How can this be??? It’s very… Read More »5 Openers That Make Readers GROAN

I’ve lost count over the years of how many writers have told me readers *can’t* know their story from the first ten pages. Those writers complain it’s not enough time and that readers are nasty creatures who form premature and false assumptions about the writing in front of them. It’s not fair, etc. Well I… Read More »7 Things Readers Can Tell About Your Script On Page 1

[Kept updated as much as possible] All About Software One question new writers always ask in the B2W Facebook group is whether they should buy screenwriting software. So hello to Michelle who asks: “I’ve heard mixed advice from everyone on the screenwriting software issue… Some advise getting it, others say there’s no need for expensive… Read More »Which Screenwriting Software Is The Best? (Paid-For & Free)

Good Format Is … … Not getting BUSTED! Screenplay format is top of the pile when work experience kids read our work (and they are!). Unfortunately, screenplay format is what they understand and latch onto. Whilst any writer can obviously do what they want, there are obvious and basic things a writer can avoid/cut/change to make… Read More »Screenplay Format – The B2W One Stop Shop

Plot Devices With A Bad Name … There are lots of plot devices in scriptwriting we hear are “frowned on”. We shouldn’t use voiceover or flashback is the usual (or voiceover WITH flashback!). I’ve also heard montage maligned in a similar fashion, as well as intercut and dream sequence. This is a load of rot… Read More »How To Use Plot Devices – Voiceover, Flashback, Montage, Intercut and Dream Sequence

Killer Scenes I’ve been working my way through a GIGANTIC pile of Bang2writers’ screenplays of late and noticed a common theme between most of them: their individual scenes needed work (as well as overarching story & characterisation). Since screenplays are the sum of ALL their parts, I thought I would compose a complete rundown of… Read More »How To Avoid Killer Errors In Your Screenplay’s Scenes

Loglines Versus Taglines Loglines Are Not Taglines!! Cannot. Stress. This. Enough. Every week I see scores of pitches sent to my inbox, to my ears or via script listing sites. Yet every week I see loglines and taglines being mixed up!!! In the course of this post, I will breakdown which is why  you need to… Read More »NEWSFLASH: Loglines Are Not Taglines. Here’s Why

You should do your preparation! Bang2writers often ask me what is the “best” way to go about writing a screenplay or novel. My answer? There is no “best” way. But it’s definitely going to help if you’ve done your preparation first in the form of an outline, beat sheet and/or treatment. Here’s why preparation work… Read More »Do Your Preparation: How To Write Outlines, Beat Sheets And Treatments

Horror is a high concept genre that can lend itself easily to low budget filmmaking (both feature and short film), so it’s no wonder I get so many of them across my desk via B2W and my industry clients. What’s more, audiences’ gore tolerance is on the UP, so television can be considerably more scary… Read More »8 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Horror Screenplay DEAD

How I became a script reader One question I get asked all the time is, “How do I become a script reader?” So, once and for all – here is the lowdown on how my consultancy Bang2write started – plus make sure you check out my course, Breaking Into Script Reading, back for its seventh year… Read More »How To Become A Script Reader

ANTI-Social Media I talk to A LOT of people because I spend a lot of time on social media. You may have noticed. (Just a bit!). What you may not have realised however is how much I READ about social media. It’s a subject that really interests me, especially the notion of “best practices”. Why?… Read More »6 Ways To Annoy The Crap Out Of People Online

Script Leads What’s in a screenwriter’s portfolio is very important. Most screenwriters know this, especially when they ask me for script leads. But there is usually a disconnect. The screenwriters often have the vain hope they MIGHT have *something* that magically ‘matches up’ with what producers and directors are looking for. Of course, 9 times… Read More »How To Maximise Your Screenplay Portfolio

Writing, Editing & Submitting Your Spec TV Pilot Writing a spec TV pilot? Lots of writers are! Whilst many spec TV pilots **end up** great, their writers often tie themselves up in terrible knots getting them written, slowing themselves down, especially when they often send out works in progress, left, right and centre AS WELL.… Read More »9 Steps To Get Your Spec TV Pilot Written, Edited & Sent Out …

All About Scene Description Scene description is arguably the most problematic, yet most important, element of your screenplay. You probably write more of it than anything else (that’s right … even if you subscribe to the notion “less is more”!). I’ve been writing a fair bit about scene description lately in notes for people lately.… Read More »10 Ways To Conquer Your Scene Description