7 Essential precursors to becoming a Screenwriter

Becoming a screenwriter happens way before you even realize you can write. There’s a general perception that you have to learn to be a writer to be a writer. Yes, of course, you can learn the craft to be a better writer but essentially writing is about living life in all its dimensions. You have to have the lived experience that acts as a raw material for your ideas and how you articulate your thoughts.

In that context, there are 7 essential factors or precursors that I consider pivotal to developing into a solid screenwriter —

1.      Travelling a lot, I mean, a lot. Going way beyond your comfortable geographical zones. Travelling gives you a bird’s eye view exposure to life and how you look at the world around you. Travelling forces you to think differently than the context you grew up in. It adds layers to your understanding of how the diversity of  life functions which can be a great stepping point to how you write layered characters and stories and avoid falling into the trap of the danger of the single story.

2.      Not being too quick to judge others. We are often told not to judge others with good reason. Because if we judge everything at face value, then we lose the value of looking deeper into things and learning life lessons. But of course, considering human nature, we are by default in a judgmental mode. If that’s the case, then judge yourself judging others i.e, see things from the others’ POV. Filmmaker David Fincher says of writing characters – that every character is/must be right, from their own perspective, if we are to create great drama. Which brings us to the next point – self-awareness.

3.      Having a keen sense of self-awareness. Knowing the right balance between your potential and limitations as to where you stand in a creative domain. Talking to yourself and practicing a healthy dose of critical thinking does wonders to our self-awareness. Self-awareness is also a way to keep yourself grounded and be humble which in turn makes you always open to learning new things.

4.      Engaging in a lot of creative, intellectual, philosophical, spiritual interactions both online and offline. Especially observing and learning from them. Most writers are apparently introverts but that should not stop us from engaging in a critical debate. It sharpens our critical and analytical thinking and helps hone the way we articulate thoughts.

5.      Practicing some form of visual or performing art. Sketching, painting, dancing etc. Other forms of Art especially involving the physical body or senses open up our minds. If a simple walk through the woods can open up your senses, imagine what a physical performance can do to your psyche.

6.      Connecting with people aka Being in a lot of relationships – friendly, romantic, familial, professional, whatever that adds to your sense of people psychology and dynamics. This is one of the foundational ways of understanding how people/characters’ minds work. This helps in developing characters that are multidimensional.

7.      Reading. Of course, one of the most foundational blocks of being a writer/screenwriter. You can create only if you ingest words, thoughts, perspectives, minds and ways of thinking – all of which come through reading fiction(novels), articles, poetry, comics and non-fiction or anything you can get your hands on. Your writing is directly proportional to your reading. Reading opens up new worlds in your head without ever stepping into one.

 In essence, having a wide and deep life experience can greatly influence your maturity as a screenwriter. If you already are practicing any or all of the above, then you are already on your way to developing into a solid screenwriter.

Casting the Right Actors

Casting is a fine art. It’s an art by itself. As a filmmaker, if you cast the right actors, half your battle is won. Of course, considering you have a good script.

Developing a good eye for casting requires developing an important skill – a unique observational ability. In film, it’s not the actor’s ability to be loud and expressive in a theatrical sense that is important. It’s how the nuances are portrayed, the subtleties, the subtext, the pacing and rhythm of the dialogues, the intonation and the pauses. Mainly, the ability to convey a particular kind of emotion that is required for the scene.
So as a filmmaker, it’s our responsibility to make sure that your actors work at an instinctual level…from a place of deep emotion. And that can make all the difference.

Youtube Shorts Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ScFIZjDLuBs

Why Storyboard – For Indie Filmmakers

If you have a short film/scene you want to shoot, and you are not sure of what kind of shots that you need for it(whether it’s a long/Wide shot, a MS or a CU) then the best way to do it, would be to create a storyboard.

A storyboard is a pre-visualization stage where you roughly create/translate visual frames/shots from your mind onto paper or the computer, literally shot by shot to create a scene.
3 Reasons for storyboarding:

  1. It conveys your vision/frame to your team while planning so that your camera team can decide what frame to compose, what lens to use and the action involved in the scene.
  2. You can reduce the time it takes to shoot your scene in a live location because you know exactly what you are going to shoot.
  3. You can time your scene depending on the number of storyboard frames or shots you need for the scene.
    Here’s a sample storyboard sequence for a small 2 character scene that I am working on. I checked out a location which I’m not sure I may get permission for. So I have tried to pre-visualize the scene so that I know the exact breakdown of the shots I need.
    Hope this gives an idea as to how you can plan your scene with a storyboard sequence.

Youtube Shorts Link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ScOXSbqHQvk

3 key things before you make your Independent Film

If you want to make an Independent film, like I am in the process of doing now, there are 3 things to consider before you even start.

  • Pick a concept you really resonate with (Loss, relationship, crime & a bit of action)
  • Pick a cast/crew who you’d love to work with (People that match with our artistic/personal sensibilities, professional, people with integrity and a killer work ethic)
  • Remind yourself why you’re making this film in the 1st place (For this film, I am making something that I want to see on screen as an audience).
    I’m documenting my entire process of making this film with a small team, a tight budget and a guerilla spirit.

YouTube Shorts Link – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BFkUK1C9F8A