6. Write For An Actual Audience
Another tip that seems blatantly obvious, but perhaps not-so in retrospect. And what I mean is: don't write a screenplay that appeals only to you and your sensibilities. Don't write in a mindset like, "I'm trying to say
this with this part, and if the audience don't get it, well, that's not my problem." It is your problem, because you're writing in a medium whose inherent goal is to appeal to
other people. Otherwise you'd be better off writing in a diary, no? That's to say, write something that is ultimately
encompassing of your audience, and complimentary towards their having paid to see your movie. It doesn't make you a better writer if you produce something that people don't "get" - especially if you've purposely written something to prove how clever you are to yourself. It's important to work out whether, deep down, that's what you're doing. You want to invite people into the club, not alienate them from it. For most writers, this isn't a problem, of course - they just want to write a "movie." Point is, you can write intellectual screenplays with big ideas, just don't do it from a pedestal. Do it as one of the people who have taken a few hours out on a Saturday to experience something worthwhile.