Friday, May 06, 2005

Screenwriting That Pops! part 2068...

USE THE PRESENT TENSE ...

If you want the reader to feel your story and be "in the moment" - then write it that way.

NOT:

Johnny is pointing the gun at his wife and pulling the trigger...

BUT:

Johnny points the gun at his wife, pulls the trigger and...

Lesson brought to you by two scripts I read today.

Now all you little pulpsters have a good weekend. And remember, if you can't be good, then don't get caught!

1 comment:

Cunningham said...

I read two scripts on friday and both just laid there. This was the problem they had and it's a common one.

There is room for using the passive voice(ing words):

Johnny races across the room, firing his pistol at every zombie child who crosses his path...