7 Reasons Why You Should Write a Screenplay

Why Write a Screenplay? Unleash Your Creativity!

They say everyone has a novel in them, but do they reallly? Eight out of ten people want to write a book at some point in their lives, but of those who start a book, only three percent actually complete it.

No surprises there. Writing a novel is a daunting task involving 80,000 to 100,000 words.

Enter the screenplay. A typical screenplay runs at around 80-100 pages for a feature film and 50-60 pages for a TV pilot. Although that represents fewer words than a novel, writing a compelling screenplay does still involve significant effort. Characters still have to be fully developed, the story world carefully constructed, and twisty plot points created.

Additionally, your screenplay must have a solid concept at its core, one that is somehow inherently interesting to an audience whose attention, these days, is being pulled in a thousand directions at once. And if you're writing episodic content in the form of a series, this core concept need to be able to generates enough drama, tension, or humour for six-ten episodes ideally over several seasons.

What Are the Benefits of Writing a Screenplay?

1. A Creative Outlet

You may have no other reason for writing a screenplay other than personal expression, and that's perfectly okay. But why choose script format over a novel?

It doesn’t have to be an either/or question. You can adapt your written novel or existing idea into a screenplay. This adaptation process can provide clarity on story and structure, heighten drama in your scenes, and help you to write more natural-sounding dialogue.

The main rule in screenwriting is to show rather than tell. Writing a script shifts the focus away from mere text—beneficial for writers who tend towards the wordy. This approach allows you to view the narrative through a visual lens, enriching it with more action. It's a much more dynamic way to reveal character and story details instead of relying solely on descriptive writing.

2. An Alternative to Journaling

Capture your personal experiences in script form, whether as-is or by embellishing reality with imagination.

Documenting your life events in third person can be enlightening. It forces you to adopt an objective viewpoint, leading to new understandings of situations. This perspective offers empathetic insights into the motivations and subtext behind people's words and actions.

As writers, we regularly seek to understand what drives people—even those who infuriate us. When someone you know becomes a character in your story, you have a responsibility to grasp their point of view. This practice can indeed be more insightful (and cheaper!) than therapy. However, just be mindful of altering names and identifying characteristics, just in case your journal or file falls in the wrong hands by mistake!

3. For Filming: The Thrill of Visual Arts

Many people start writing screenplays to share their artistic vision with the world.

If you aim to become a professional screenwriter, you need a portfolio of strong scripts. Once you start developing your network and reaching out to potential producers, agents or managers to work with, somewhere along the line you'll be asked to send a script or scripts that showcase your writing skills. This path may eventually lead you to see your script adapted into a film or TV series.

But, a word of warning; this process can take years and years. Some scriptwriters never see their own original concept on the screen. Many work on projects as staff writers or for hire, meaning they are paid to develop and write someone else's IP (intellectual property).

However, you can bypass traditional gatekeepers by using a smartphone or renting professional filming equipment. With your script as a blueprint, you can create content for fiction or scripted reality and share it on social media. This approach allows you to see your words come alive almost instantaneously.

It's a definite thrill watching your work transform into visuals, not to mention incredibly rewarding. Although gaining traction from audiences may be difficult, at the very least you will accumulate invaluable experience. This will help you discern what works and what doesn’t for future projects.

4. Networking Opportunities

Writing a screenplay can open doors to a community.

Let's face it, writers are not necessarily stereotypical introverted beings unable to string a sentence together when faced with another human. But it never hurts to incentivize us to get out there and mingle with other creatives.

Engaging with fellow writers, filmmakers, and industry professionals can broaden creative horizons. Attending workshops and festivals can introduce you to potential collaborators and mentors. You might even discover partnerships that not only enrich your projects but lead to new ones.

5. Enhanced Storytelling Skills

Engaging in screenplay writing hones your storytelling skills. It teaches you to structure narrative efficiently, focusing on pacing, dialogue, and visual storytelling. These skills are transferable across all mediums, whether you choose to pursue novels, short stories, or even online content creation.

Visually-driven storytelling challenges you to think outside the box and find innovative ways to express your ideas. This adaptability will not only improve your screenwriting, but also enhance your abilities as a writer in general.

6. Improves English Language Ability

Not a native-speaker of English? Writing screenplays is a really fun and effective way to build vocabulary, especially colloquial language and slang when you need to write dialogue.

The format of writing a script means that you can practice different grammar and tenses in a fairly structured frame-work. For example, screenplay action itself is usually written in the present tense, while you can use past and present perfect tenses while writing your series bible and character backstories.

And it's not just your written English that will improve. Ideas need to be pitched verbally, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to improve your spoken English, too.

7. Exploring Different Genres

Screenwriting encourages you to test drive various genres. From drama to comedy, sci-fi to horror, each genre presents unique challenges and opportunities. These explorations can enhance your writing skills and expand your artistic palette.

Writing a screenplay can serve as a powerful tool for creative expression, personal insight, and professional growth. Whether you aim to film your script yourself or simply explore storytelling, embracing screenwriting can be a really fun and fulfilling experience. So, why not give it a try?

Story Inkubator was founded by writer, scriptwriter and teacher, Kristina Jilly, an Australian living in Central Europe who's written for HBO Europe and RTL Television. A teacher at the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria, Kristina also writes online content about the art of storytelling and topics that inspire creativity. 

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If you’re interested in learning more about storytelling, or would like to improve your English through story, check out our courses here.