Achieve your screenwriting goal

Writing an independent film

If you are writing something you may produce yourself or sell to an independent producer you need to understand:

You likely are competing with the top writers in Hollywood who want to write something outside of the studio system and/or produce their own films;
All producers--independent or otherwise--have very high standards regarding the scripts they'll consider; and,
Many actors have production companies and are looking for material, but chances are they already know a lot of professional screenwriters so their expectations for quality writing will be high.

The workshops and books listed below will help you develop a great script:

Robert McKee's Story Seminar
Oscar and Emmy-winning writers--and yours truly--have attended Robert McKee's weekend-intensive Story and Genre seminars and for good reason: Mckee detests stories that suck and will provide the foundation you need to develop compelling stories. The Genre:Comedy seminar is particularly critical if you plan to write comedy. If you are a fan of Pixar films, you should note Pixar employees are required to attend McKee's seminars. This is one of the best seminars you can attend.

ScreenwritingU
This is producing-team Hal and Cheryl Croasmun's effort to develop a pool of professional screenwriters who want to succeed in Hollywood, and easily the best value for your dollar. Participate in a variety of online workshops to elevate your screenwriting to meet the high industry standards. Hal also organizes events in Los Angeles that brings writers together with producers at the major studios. I highly recommend ScreenwritingU.

TheFilmSchool
If you want to attend a film school with renowned faculty but do not have the time or money to attend a school like USC, I highly recommend TheFilmSchool in Seattle. As a proud alum, I was blown away by how its intensive 3-week program transformed my understanding of the screenwriting craft. This school was founded by industry pros that include actor Tom Skerritt and screenwriting veteran Stewart Stern ("Rebel Without A Cause") and it will be one of the most memorable experiences in your life.

Dov Simen's Web Film School
Dov's famous for inspiring do-it-yourself producers and this site has a multitude of online tutorials and more to help launch your career.

	From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film (Dov S-S Simens) This book covers everything you need to know to produce a film and breaks down the process into simple manageable steps. However, if you are going to produce your own film, take care to write a compelling script that an audience would want to sit through.
	The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition (Christopher Vogler) Once upon a time.... This book traces the essence of storytelling thousands of years and identifies the basic building blocks of all lasting stories. And why do you need to know that? Well, if what worked thousands of years ago remains true today, you, the writer, owe it to your audience to understand these basics. Beyond that, this book and its principles are required reading in Hollywood, so if you want to succeed there you need to start here.
	Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting (Robert McKee) This is the first book I recommend to friends who ask me, "what's the best screenwriting book to get?" You will find this book on the shelves of numerous Oscar- and Emmy-award winning writers. And upon reading it yourself, you will understand why, and you will be proud to boast it is on your bookshelf. Particularly powerful is McKee's demonstration of how character and story are interwoven and the elements required to develop an "eventful" scene, including scene analysis techniques that will improve your work. I also strongly recommend attending Robert McKee's Story Seminar.
	Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know (Jennifer Van Sijll) This is a beautiful book and a must-have because it contains screenshots and screenplay excerpts that demonstrate visual storytelling--and, well, film is a visual medium. Even if you are not planning to produce your own work, this book will demonstrate the power of images--and that in itself will make you a better screenwriter.
	Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances for Film & Television (Judith Weston) Whether you consider yourself to be a writer or director, understanding actors--being able to communicate with actors-- will be among the keys to your success. Judith shares her invaluable insights gained from years of experience as an actor and director, and it is the wise scribe who takes note. Understanding techniques actors employ to bring characters to life will help you create more interesting characters and write more interesting scenes. Study with Judith if you can.