How to Write a Screenplay in 30 Days or Less

By Ronald Farnham

Write A Screenplay In 30 Days Or Less
A how to guide for new and experienced screenwriters.

Use this step-by-step guide from start to finish and write your screenplay in 30 days or less. Anyone can write a screenplay by following this simple how to program.

Is a screenplay burning inside of you? Imagine the joy of finally bringing your story to life. Now your dream can become a reality. Perform the easy to follow steps and become a published screenwriter. Join Mankinds Literary History-Book.

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This book comes with a 50% off coupon for the Movie Magic Screenwriter screenwriting software program. Write like a professional screenwriter today, with Movie Magic Screenwriter.

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Ronald Farnham is an Actor, Writer, Casting Director, and Producer of feature films, TV shows, music videos, commercials, and live theatre. Ronald is currently the commercial spokesperson for Luzianne Iced Tea. He lives in Palm Bay, Florida just south of Cocoa Beach with his wonderful wife Jasmine whom he met on a film set. This is his second book. Ronalds favorite authors are R. Buckminster Fuller, Jerry and Esther Hicks, and Douglas Adams.

Ronalds first book was Harry Jonson Diary Of A Gigolo Porn Star, which he co-wrote with the storys creator, Scott Kihm. They also wrote the screenplay together. Harry Jonson is currently in development as a Feature Film. Ronalds favorite Movie is True Romance by Quentin Tarantino.

Ronald held a Top Secret Clearance for 13 years as a senior intelligence and counter-terrorism analyst, Korean linguist, writer, editor, and data manager for the Department of Defense at SOCOM, CENTCOM, SOUTHCOM, The Pentagon, and other places in between before becoming an entertainment professional.

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Thanks to my loving Mother for giving me life. Thanks to my caring Wife for loving me unconditionally. Thanks to my good friend, Scott Kihm for convincing me to write this book.
Love
Ronald

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463440336

Ronald Farnham

Ronald Farnham is an Actor, Writer, Casting Director,, and producer of feature films, TV shows, commercials, music videos, and live theatre. Ronald is currently the commercial spokesperson for Luzianne Iced Tea. He lives in Melbourne, Florida just south of Cocoa Beach with his wonderful wife Jasmine whom he met on a film set. Ronald’s favorite authors are R. Buckminster Fuller, Jerry and Esther Hicks, and Douglas Adams. Harry Jonson Diary Of A Gigolo Porn Star, is Ronald's first book, which he co-wrote with the story’s creator, Scott Kihm. They also wrote the screenplay together. Harry Jonson is currently in development as a Feature Film. Ronald’s favorite Movie is “True Romance” by Quentin Tarantino. Ronald is a former intelligence analyst, for the Department of Defense. Ronald's second book is, How To Write A Screenplay In 30 Days Or Less.

Book preview

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Contents

I

FOREWORD

II

INTRODUCTION

III

THE PROGESS

30-DAY OVERVIEW

IV

STEP ONE: Day One

Read The Instructions

V

STEP TWO: Day Two

Write The Title

VI

STEP THREE: Day Three

Write The Theme

VII

STEP FOUR: Day Four

Write The bogline

VIII

STEP FIVE: Day Five

Prepare The Synopsis

IX

STEP SIX: Day Six

Write Your Beginning

X

STEP SEVEN: Day Seven

Write Your Ending

XI

STEP EIGHT: Day Eight

Write Your Middle

XII

STEP NINE: Day Nine

Finalize & Register Your Synopsis

XIII

STEP 10: Day 10

Outline Your Screenplay

XIV

STEP 11: Day 11

Begin Your First Draft

Write Scene One

XV

Step 12: Day 12

Write Scene Two

XVI

STEP 13: Day 13

Write Scene Three

XVII

STEP 14: Day 14

Write Ten Scenes

XVIII

STEP 15: Day 15

Write Ten Scenes

XIX

STEP 16: Day 16

Write Ten Scenes

XX

STEP 17: Day 17

Write Ten Scenes

XXI

STEP 18: Day 18

Write Ten Scenes

XXII

STEP 19: Day 19

Write Ten Scenes

XXIII

STEP 20: Day 20

Write The Final Scenes

XXIV

STEP 21: Day 21

Finish Your First Draft

XXV

STEP 22: Day 22

Register Your First Draft

XXVI

STEP 23: Day 23

Begin Your Re-Write

XXVII

SGREENWRITER’S ROAD MAP

Act I, Act II, Act III

XXVIII

Plot Points

XXIX

SELLING & PRODUCING YOUR SGREENPLAY

XXX

PUBLISHING YOUR SGREENPLAY AS A BOOK

XXXI

EXAMPLE TITLE

XXXII

EXAMPLE THEME

XXXIII

Example LOGLINE(s)

XXXIV

EXAMPLE SYNOPSIS

XXXV

EXAMPLE OUTLINE

XXXVI

EXAMPLE SGREENPLAY

THE EPILOGUE

I

FOREWORD

Hello future published Screenplay writer. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Scott Kihm published Screenplay writer, all due to the fact I was fortunate enough to connect with Ronald Farnham. This book you are now holding in your hands is your GPS; your road map to success or what you perceive success to be. If to you, the mere fact of success is to simply write a Screenplay and nothing more than that, then so be it. However, if like many people, myself included, you desire to write a Screenplay, and then publish the Screenplay, and learn the process of protecting and selling your Screenplay, then this book will get you there. This book is the key to your success.

For several years I had the desire to write a Screenplay, but I lacked in the knowledge of how to go about it. I purchased several How to books and read them from front to back and even side ways. Every book I purchased and read made me confused and frustrated and turned off my desire to write a Screenplay. If you have a full time job and some time to spare, then the last thing you want to do is spend your free time reading a 250 to 300 page how to book that confuses you and makes you feel like your dream is unattainable. The simplicity of this book you are holding in your hands will bring your dream of writing a Screenplay into a tangible spiral bound reality, which you will hold in your hands and cherish for as long as you live.

Please read this book and follow the steps as Ronald has outlined. Ronald is a super talented and generous human being. He even gives you his personal contact information to guide you in this process. If you have read the same how to books I have and are now looking for something that actually can teach you, then this book is it! Of all the books I purchased and read, the Author gives you a contact email or a phone number for support, however the support is not even given by the Author; in fact, the support you will receive is information on how to join a Screenplay workshop class offered by instructors affiliated with the Author. Who has time to do that? Ronald is there to help, not sell you classes.

From beginning to end, Ronald and I developed a Screenplay and relationship that is priceless to me. In just about four weeks time the Screenplay was written, re-written, edited, and then registered with the United States Copyright Office. From there, a book (as you will learn is a necessary and important step in this process) was written and published as well. WARNING! After your first published Screenplay you will want to continue to write! So get used to sleepless nights and stopping in your tracks to write your thoughts down so you can add them to your Screenplay later.

Think of this book as the Deal-a-Meal of Screenplay writing. What I mean is Deal-a-Meal made diet and exercise for people fun and exciting and last but not least it worked! I never used Deal-a-Meal by the way, I never had to, but I did use this book and it worked for me in 28 days. I urge you to set a goal for yourself. Set aside a certain amount of time to read this book and to write your screenplay. Don’t be afraid to write because you may think people will ridicule you or that people may think you’re delusional or foolishly wasting your time.

I didn’t write my first Screenplay until I was 38 years old. I wasted time being afraid and unsure of how I would be judged or that I would waste my time doing it all for nothing. Stop being afraid and unsure, and start being informed and confident. I wish you the best of luck in your venture and all the success in the world!

Sincerely

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Scott Kihm

Author of Harry Jonson Diary Of A Gigolo Porn Star [Screenplay and Book]

II

INTRODUCTION

Anything you can imagine is possible. [Ronald Farnham]

Good News-This book is laid out so that as you read each chapter you will be writing the Screenplay as ou go This book is fji the Screenwriter who wants to start tola’ and have a completed Scieenpla in 30 da s or less, from today. This isn’t a 300-page book you have to read and decipher and then plod along in a frustrating attempt to figure out protagonist, antagonist, through line, arc, and all that stuff. I designed this book to be a simple step-by-step process you immediately follow so you promptly take your concept from your mind and turn it into a complete Screenplay in proper format-with many interesting Plot Points.

I have logically listed all of the steps together in a row right up front, first, so you can start inline hat el Then I took a Script I wrote, using this process, and laid it out in a step-by-step e ample In this way, you get the steps up front to follow and then you get a real example. Then you’re done. It’s easy. It is a fast track to the rocket science of screenwriting. It is akin to an all-in-one screenwriting class. You have so much storytelling potential within you and this tool will help realize that potential and satisfy your desire to write a Screenplay and/or book. Here I teach you to write a complete Screenplay, with a Beginning, Middle and Ending, in 30 days or less. Take this book home right now and before the end of the day you will be on step one of writing your Script.

Writers write. If writing is your passion then you will know it because you will always be writing or thinking about writing. You will write every day on your project until it is complete and you will always be thinking about your latest writing project. It will consume you and you will have the strong desire to sit and write and complete your writing project whether it is a book, a poem, a short story, a teleplay, a stage play, or a feature film Script [Screenplay].

All stories have a Beginning, Middle, and Ending. But there is much more to it than just those elements. I have simplified the knowledge base you need in order to create a great Screenplay with a well-developed Beginning, Middle, and Ending. Everything you need to know and understand is presented in the steps I have laid out about i reating Tour story-and doing so much more with your Screenplay than you might have imagined.

I am truly excited for you because this book is going to become your new screenwriting guide throughout your journey and life as a screenwriter and storyteller. I added my Script to this book as an example, especially for Logline, Theme, Synopsis, Outline and proper Script Formatting. All of those things are required when it comes to pitching your Script to the Executives at a Studio or to the Investors whom you are asking for money or the A-or B-list actor(s) and Director(s) you are seeking to attach.

Important: As a writer you want to have appropriate writing tools with which to work. Make sure you have a good computer and get u elf the Movie Magic Screenwriter software [see the coupon inside this book for a great discount]. Every screenwriter who understands today’s market writes in Movie Magic Screenwriter. The Movie Magic Screenwriter software program

is the Hollywood Screenplay standard. You will need, your brain, Movie Magic Screenwriter, and a computer. You also need this road^map to writing a Screenplay in 30 days or less. And that’s all you need. A good story idea will also help. If you don’t have any idea what you are going to write about, then this book will help you flesh out your story and turn it into a Screenplay and/or book.

This guide, which I have written, helps you write your idea in the proper templ te id to develop a good story, which will have a strong chance of getting distribut i D ti 1 ition is your ultimate goal, which I discuss in this book.

Happy writing.

Sincerely

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Ronald Russell Farnham

III

THE PROGESS

30-DAY OVERVIEW

TERMS-Throughout this book I use the term Screenplay and Script interchangeably.

MARGINS-Within this book, the left margin of the screenplay and screenplay examples is set to the screenplay standard-1.5 Inches from the edge of the page.

The instructional portion and other chapters such as Foreword, Introduction, and this paragraph are set at a left margin of 1.25 inches from the left edge.

DAY 1

Prepare To Write-Read The Instructions

It is a good idea to know what to expect and what the process will be before you start the actual process. Spend today reading the steps-before you start the steps. This activity will get your creative juices flowing and it will give you a cognitive map of the overall process. Reading the steps will only take you a short amount of time. Please do this step first. I also explain Screenplay formatting, which you want to understand. However, the screenwriting software formats everything for you if you have it.

DAY 2

Write The Title

The Title of your Script is important. Here you will decide on your title. I explain how to come up with a title for your Script.

DAY 3

Write The Theme

The Theme is a statement in nine-words or less about the overall subject of your story. I provide examples and Describe what a Theme is so you can write the Theme for your Script. Keep your concept wrapped around the Theme.

DAY 4

Write The Logline

The Logline is a summary of your story in 25-words or less. I provide examples and Describe what a Logline is so you can write

the Logline for your Script. The Logline is a part of the Pitch Package you provide when you submit your Script for Production by a Studio or representation by a Literary Agent.

DAY 5

Outline The Synopsis

The Synopsis is a Three-page outline of your Script in paragraph form. The Synopsis shapes the Beginning, Middle, and Ending of your story, upon which you will base your Outline and Screenplay. Prepare to write the Beginning, Ending and Middle of your Synopsis-in that order. I walk you through this simple process.

DAY 6

Write The Beginning Of The Synopsis

This part of your synopsis comprises a half to three quarters of a page. Here you write the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of your Screenplay.

DAY 7

Write The Ending Of The Synopsis

This takes up a half of a page of your synopsis. After you write the Beginning, you write the Ending-why this is so is logically explained. You must know how your movie ends so you can get from the Beginning and through the Middle. The Ending guides you through the Middle.

DAY 8

Write The Middle Of The Synopsis

You have written the Beginning and Ending, so now you can make your way through the Middle and create your dramatic Plot Points. Here you create Plot Points for your Middle and then write them in several paragraphs.

DAY 9

Finalize And Register Your Synopsis

Once your Synopsis is complete and you have a Title Page created for it, you register the Synopsis with the United States Copyright Office and/or Writer’s Guild. I provide the links and information on how to do so. I also explain the format of your Title Page.

DAY 10

Outline Your Screenplay

This is where you create the Skeleton of your Screenplay. You list all of the Scenes, which will make up the Script. Then you prepare to fill in the Script with Action and Dialogue. There are normally 60-to 100-Scenes in a Script.

DAY 11

Begin Writing The First Draft Of Your Script-Write Scene One

Get started writing the Screenplay. Start with Scene one. Write the Fade In, The Scene Heading [INT. JOHN’S KITCHEN-DAY] The Lead Character Description, The Action and the Dialogue. I provide examples in this chapter as well as in the Screenplay, which is provided at the end of the book. I provide formatting guidelines, which you apply to give your Script professional quality-I recommend you get Movie Magic Screenwriter.

DAY 12

Write Scene Two

It is important for you to write Scene two after Scene one. Here is where you get into the flow of your early Plot Points. You’ll get better at Scene construction here and be ready to get on a roll. I provide more examples regarding formatting and Scene construction.

DAY 13

Write Scene Three

Here you write Scene three and get into a rhythm with your Beginning and with formatting. I provide examples and structure guidelines. Now you are starting to feel the story and hitting a good stride. I provide ideas for your Plot Points and Dialogue.

DAYS 14-19

Write 10 Scenes Per Day [60 Scenes]

This is six days of writing ten Scenes per day. You may write more or less per day, but this will be the bulk of your Scene writing. You may take ten days here to write 80 or 100 Scenes. I discuss creating exciting Plot Points, which propel your story forward, build tension, and drive toward the climax. I provide advice on writer’s block and keeping your writing momentum.

DAY 20

Write The Final Scenes

Here is another day to write all of the Scenes you must write in order to finish your Script. It might take you more than one day-if. You’ll have a good flow going. You will devise more Scenes to fill out your Script. I help you revise Plot Points, refine Dialogue, and formulate interesting ideas.

DAY 21

Finish Your First Draft

Read through, clean up, and finalize the First Draft of your Script. I discuss common mistakes you might have made and how to correct them.

DAY 22

Register Your First Draft

Just as you did with your Synopsis, you will register your Screenplay with the United States Copyright Office and/or the Writer’s Guild Of America.

DAY 23-29

Do Your Rewrite/Editing

By rewrite I don’t mean you will start all over and write an entirely new version of the Script. No. What I mean is; you will read through your Script and make corrections, additions, deletions, and changes until you are satisfied and finished with the Script. Nothing is ever written, it is rewritten/edited.

DAY 30

Produce And Distribute Your Screenplay

You have written a Screenplay and desire to get it turned into a movie. I explain the production and distribution process. I explain the world of film distribution, funding, the global territories for distribution in Theatres, on DVD and TV, and digitally, Union films and budgets, and how much you make as a writer and Executive Producer [EP].

DAY 31

Publish Your Script As A Book

I explain the process of turning your Script into a published book. This is a fun process and is very easy to do. I walk you through the process of becoming a published book author.

IV

STEP ONE: Day One

Read The Instructions

In this book the steps are laid out first, which you can start following immediately. Follow the steps in order because if you don’t, then you might get lost and it might take you longer than 30 days and you might get frustrated and never even finish your Screenplay. Therefore, follow the steps in order. Follow the steps in order; yes it bears repeating. One more time-follow the steps in order. If you aren’t sure of a step then use my examples and modify them to make them your own-I will even email you my Script as a template if you need it-just email me.

If you have any difficulties, then you can contact me via phone, text, or email and I will help you.

[e-mail] / 310-694-0712. Cheers!

Read through all of the directions one time first, before you start performing the steps-this will help you to understand the logical process before you get started and you will get the good feeling that writing a Screenplay will be simple, easy, and fun. If you are a writer at heart, meaning you are following your divine passion, then it will be fun anyway. If this is a chore, then consider finding something else as your alleged passion.

I have laid out the steps day-by-day, one step at a time. The result is you will finish your first draft by Day 29 at the very latest and by Day 23 if you follow the steps exactly as I have presented them here. You can go as fast as you like and finish earlier-everyone has a different rhythm as a writer.

TOOLS YOU NEED

OPEN A WORD DOCUMENT on your computer. When you read the directions, do so in front of your computer or with a pen(cil) and notepad by your side. As you read through the directions you will come up with ideas. Have a way to record your ideas for your story/stories.

CREATE A SCREENPLAY FOLDER & FILE on your computer in the name of the Screenplay. You might not have decided on a name/Title yet-come up with something for now. Within the folder create a File/word document in the name of the Screenplay. Use this format-NameOfScreenplay.yyyy-mm-dd.doc. Every time you update the document, save it with the new date as the day of the update.

You will also do this with your Script as you write it and once you have completed the first draft. This is how you keep track of the most recent version.

AUTO SAVE-Set the options on your Word document and/or on the Movie Magic Screenwriter file to auto-save every few minutes. There is nothing more heartbreaking for a writer than writing for an hour, and pouring out the best writing of your life only to have your computer mysteriously shut down resulting in the loss of your hard work.

SCREENPLAY FILE-Create a Movie Magic Screenwriter or Word Document file, which will be the first draft of your Script. Use the same naming convention: NameOfScreenplay.yyyy-mm-dd.mmsw. The .mmsw portion of the file name will vary according to the program in which you are writing your Script. I highly recommend you write in Movie Magic Screenwriter because it does so many things for you; it even registers your Script online.

Use Movie Magic Screenwriter because it is specifically for screenwriting, playwriting, novel writing, etc. Within Movie Magic Screenwriter, all of the Script elements such as Action, Dialogue, and Scene Heading are pre-loaded for you in the proper industry format. If your Script is not formatted properly, you will have a hard time selling it and getting it accurately budgeted and scheduled.

If you are going to use a Word document, then the Parameters can be pretty tricky when you attempt to make your Screenplay look professional. Eventually you will want to put a Word-document created Screenplay into Movie Magic Screenwriter.

NEW SCREENWRITERS

If you are new to screenwriting then the good news is writing in Screenplay format is easier today than it used to be. Screenwriting software saves you hours of learning how to write a Screenplay in Hollywood format-so then you can focus on polishing your Plot and Dialogue and on understanding Story-structure.

Screenplay writing is not as difficult as you might imagine. Making a movie is a collaborative process, which demands screenwriters create a Script in proper format and length. There are Screenplay format rules and etiquette you must understand and apply even if you plan on directing the movie based on your Screenplay. Writing a Screenplay involves many facets and the detailed information I lay out here will give you a head start and help get your Script read by Hollywood Producers and Directors and hopefully turned into a Feature Film/Movie/Picture/Narrative-Feature.

HOW YOUR MOVIE IS MADE

You write a Screenplay and use it to promote interest in the project by showing the Script to Studios and/or Investors.

A Studio or independent Investor purchases the Rights to the Script. Entertainment professionals are hired to make the film (Screenwriter, Producer, Director, Editor, Cast, Crew). The

Reviews for How to Write a Screenplay in 30 Days or Less

[MayaMoore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great really helpful tips on working towards achieving the goal