20 Things You Just Did Wrong When You Wrote Your First Screenplay

14. Inconsistent Use Of Character Names

Screenplay 8 So you introduced your main character as HOWARD JOHNSON, but you later referred to him as HOWIE? A common mistake, my friend. Keep your character names consistent, otherwise it's going to get super confusing. And script readers won't tolerate confusing.

13. You've Suggested Musical Cues

Screenplay 10 You definitely did this, didn't you? We can hardly blame you: how can you accurately describe the scene you envisioned so clearly in your head without mention of the song that SO PERFECTLY goes along with it? Well, quite simply, you've got no choice. You're okay to include things like "classical musical plays on the radio" and anything similarly vague, but "MUSICAL CUE: "ASK" BY THE SMITHS is far too specific. The soundtrack is outta your hands, unfortunately.
 
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Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.