The Screenplay Checklist: 57 Ways To Get Your Script Laid

By Karel Segers

Professional readers throw out thousands of scripts every day for the 57 reasons listed here. How to make your script look sexy? How to offer your reader a smooth, flawless experience?

The tips in this list have been compiled from countless screenplays by beginning and produced screenwriters. Even if sticking to these rules doesn’t guarantee a fabulous story, breaking with the principles is a safe recipe for not getting your story read. After all, you don’t want your script to smell like ‘amateur’.

The Checklist is a unique revision tool in that the sections correspond with the elements in the script, from Scene Heading and Action/Description to Parenthetical.
Some screenwriting software allows you to do a ‘find-and-replace’ within each specific element, so you can work your way systematically through the script and avoid any orphaned errors.

Download now and find out!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karel Segers
• Release date: Nov 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310967481

Karel Segers

Karel Segers wrote his first produced screenplay at age 17. Today he is a story consultant, writer and producer, with experience in film rights acquisition, development and production. Karel is a qualified teacher whose lectures have inspired students in Australia, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. His clients include award-winning filmmakers as well as three Oscar-nominees. Karel is the founder of The Story Department and www.Logline.it! and he ranks in the world’s Top 10 of most influential people for screenwriting on Twitter. His is also a co-writer on the upcoming Danger Close (aka Long Tan), a screenplay that attracted Kriv Stenders (Red Dog), Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean).

Book preview

The Screenplay Checklist

57 Ways To Get Your Script Laid

by Karel Segers

v2.7

27 November 2013

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Published by The Story Department

Copyright Karel Segers 2009-2013

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Smashwords Edition

INTRODUCTION

This e-book is not about what story to tell but about how to tell it.

I’m a firm believer that the principles of effective storytelling can be learned. Adopt the right techniques and you will be able to write your story in an effective way, so you can seduce the reader into the magic of your movie.

This list will help you avoid breaking that magic.

The tips have been compiled from countless screenplays by beginning and produced screenwriters. Even if sticking to these rules doesn’t guarantee a fabulous story, breaking the principles is a safe recipe for not getting your story read. After all, you don’t want your script to smell like ‘amateur’.

The list is unique in that the sections correspond with the elements in the script, from Scene Heading and Action/Description to Parenthetical, so you can easily check them each time you do a revision.

Some screenwriting software allows you to do a ‘find-and-replace’ within each specific element, so you can work your way systematically through the script and avoid any orphaned errors.

But what about all the broken rules in produced screenplays? Well, as you become successful and more confident, you will develop your own trademark style, breaking free from the conventions.

For experienced screenwriters, there are no rules - only tools. All you want is to give the reader a great read and this can be a wonderful motivation to design your own rules. Ignorance is not.

I would like to acknowledge the handful of people who have helped me with their feedback: Jamie C., Jamie W., Cameron, Nina and Tone.

My gratitude also goes to all my students and clients who have turned to me for advice on their work and whose scripts, both brilliant and flawed, have inspired me to put this list together.

Finally, on behalf of all readers, a big thank you for using the Screenplay Checklist and giving us a better experience.

Write on!

- Karel Segers

THE 3 C'S OF A SCREENPLAY

Clarity - Conciseness - Color

A screenplay should be clear and

Reviews for The Screenplay Checklist

[Barbara Schiffman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Karel echoes my pet peeves and tips for effective screenwriting - as a 30+ year Hollywood "Reader" and creative producer, I can recommend this book as a reference guide for new and even experienced writers. Scripts that have consistent formatting, spelling, flow and style help Readers keep reading, while scripts lacking Karel's suggestions - even if good - are annoying to read. Thanks, Karel!