WRITING & FILMMAKING

How to Acquire the Rights to Develop a Screenplay (or Make a Film) Based on a Book

If you're planning to turn a book into a screenplay or film, and the material is under copyright, you will need to acquire the film rights to adapt the material.

5 Tips for Writing Your Logline

A logline is a summary of your story. It is used to guide your writing and sell your project to "Hollywood".

How to Register the Copyright for Your Script or Screenplay

Step-by-step instructions to register your screenplay copyright to protect your content.

The Difference Between "Based On a True Story" & "Inspired By a True Story" in Film & TV Credits

Some film's title cards state "Based on a True Story" while others read "Inspired by a True Story". What's the difference?

Q/A: Basing a Screenplay Story on a Published Book (or Movie, TV Series, Song, Play or Other Material)

Q: Is it legal to adapt a book (or other material) into a screenplay?

Screenwriting Guide: Key Story Elements

Crafting compelling scenes, how to "show" (not "tell"), incorporating dramatic conflict, conveying emotion, effective subplots, foreshadowing, setups & payoffs, and flashbacks & montages.

Screenwriting Guide: Character Development

This guide covers how to develop your protagonist's character arc, create a backstory, outline character motivations & ensure a strong goal, and craft a key relationship and supporting characters.

Screenwriting Guide: Act II, Act III & Rewrites

This guide covers how to navigate Act II & Act III, the importance of the midpoint, common problems & how to fix them, crafting a satisfying ending and successful rewrites.

Screenwriting Guide: Starting Your Script

How to Select an Idea, The 3-Act Structure, Your Script Outline, Scene Cards as a Mapping Tool, Genre Expectations, Plot, Character & Theme, Writing the First 10 Pages, Mistakes to Avoid

What Screenwriters & Novelists Can Learn From One Another: A Q&A with Larry Brooks

Author and screenwriter Larry Brooks shares insights for how authors and screenwriters can become better at their respective crafts by learning from one another.