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Considering New Rules for Scriptwriting

David Gane
David Gane
  1. Go in without a plan.
  2. Allow for a natural, organic shape to emerge.
  3. Don’t worry about theme. Follow Nirav Christophe’s belief that “Theme is the cross-section of your life.”
  4. Write the way you talk. Naturally.
  5. Write 10 pages at a time. Stop and consider after each step.
  6. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
  7. Never write more than two pages on any subject/or scene beat.
  8. It is never done the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning — and then edit it.
  9. Open strong. End strong.
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David Gane

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Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

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