Common Screenwriting Pitfalls to Avoid
Whether you are new to screenwriting or you’ve been doing it for a while now, there are pitfalls that you want to avoid falling into. Any one of these potential pitfalls could be the deciding factor in killing your script’s chance of becoming a legitimate film.
Bad Voice Over
Voice-over is rarely a good idea. Voice-over is telling the audience what they can already see on screen. Instead of having your character narrate, write an inner monologue.
If you must use voice-over (and we recommend that you don’t), it should be used sparingly and only in certain situations where it would add to the story instead of taking away from it.
Not Writing For The Screen
It's easy to wander into the world of screenwriting without realizing it. If you're writing a script, chances are you're intending it for the screen—but if you don't know what that means, then there's a good chance your script is not ready for production.
In other words, when you are writing your script, make sure that you are writing it with the consideration that it is being made for the screen and not for the page.
Not Ending Scenes With A Strong Visual
Think about the visuals of the environment as you write each scene
Your goal is to make each scene as memorable and visually interesting as possible.
This doesn't mean that every scene has to have an intense high-speed car chase or a flaming helicopter crash with an action star leaping from it, but it does mean that the last image should be something memorable—an image that you want to stick with the reader long after they close your script.
If you can avoid these three common screenwriting pitfalls, then you will increase your chances of taking your written script and turning it into a successful screenplay for film or television.
