RUN THE RED LIGHT!

I read alot of screenplays.  My clients write in every conceivable genre.  One of the biggest problems I see from the screenwriters I work with, is the complete LACK OF RISK TAKING. 

This is what separates good writing from great writing.  It’s also how you stand out from the crowd.  And that crowd is large.  Put yourself in the reader’s chair, or the agent’s, or the producer’s, or the actor’s.  Everybody that could possibly read your script spends way too much of their time reading, looking for something special, something that makes them go WOW!

These people don’t go, “This formatting is outstanding”, or “Man, they sure know how to use their parentheticals.  I’m buying this script!”  Nope.  They hope they read a screenplay that makes them feel something.  A laugh, a good cry, scared shitless, their heart racing, something. 

How do you make that happen?   RISK.  

There is nothing to lose.  If you aren’t selling your work, or making fans, getting an agent or manager, you need to think different.  Look, these people read scripts every day, week, or month, and most the time it’s the same old thing.  How is yours going to get their attention?

RISK.

One more thought on this subject.  When you inch up in your work, nervous to go too far, or possibly look crazy, they think that’s all you got, as far as you can go.  When you aren’t afraid to take risk, and you lay it all out there, they know you have that extra gear, that creative fearlessness.  You can always take it back a notch, that’s easy.  A writer that won’t take a risk is a dead end.

Finial note:  When you finish writing your script, you should be nervous to let anyone read it.  Not because they might not like it or think it’s their cup of tea.  You should be nervous because they might think your crazy or out of control.  Remember, great writers run the red lights.  And when the voice in your head says stop, your’e going too far, that’s a clue that you’re on the right track, so put your foot on the gas and floor it!

I’m a writing coach.  I can help.