It’s often said that in the world of screenwriting, “rules are meant to be broken.” But what if I told you that instead of hard and fast rules, it’s all about guidelines, conventions, and the art of storytelling? Yep, that’s right—when it comes to penning that cinematic masterpiece, what really matters is not getting bogged down by so-called ‘rules’ but rather embracing the freedom to craft your narrative as you see fit. Success in screenwriting doesn’t hinge on adhering to outdated dogmas handed down by self-proclaimed experts or well-meaning friends. Instead, it thrives in the exploration of creativity, where every script can take a different path—like a winding road that leads to who-knows-where! So, are you ready to throw out the rule book and discover the true essence of effective screenwriting? Join me as we delve into the nuances that shape compelling stories. LEARN MORE.
There are guidelines, conventional wisdom, patterns, and principles… but no rules.
No matter what you have read or may have heard. Perhaps the source is a so-called screenwriting ‘guru.’ Maybe it’s a friend. A member of your writer’s group. Whoever it is, if they tell you there are screenwriting rules… they are flat-out wrong.
There are no rules.
Why do we know this? Because there is no universally accepted codification of how to write a screenplay.
Sure, there are tons of books, webinars, seminars, classes, downloads, columns, tweets, and blogs. And there may very well be people who claim this or that to be a rule.
But that’s just bull shit.
Repeat: There is no single authoritative guide to screenwriting. So by definition, there can be no such thing as a screenwriting rule.
Here is what there are:
- Guidelines: There are generally known and accepted ways to approach script format that reflect how most professional screenplays look.
- Conventional Wisdom: There are…
