6

The String of Pearls

Screenwriting is hard. Seems like it shouldn’t be. After all, I’ve told you a screenplay is nothing more than a proposal for a movie. But that’s why it’s so hard.

The average screenplay has sixty to eighty scenes; you must make each one memorable, original, and unique. And then—even more importantly—they must fit together in a way that is—yes—memorable, original, and unique.

The whole string of pearls must shine from a distance. After all, it must be noticed among so many others. Unless you are an established, veteran screenwriter with a reputation and representation to set you apart from the crowd, your script had better be a beacon calling to buyers from across a wide, raging froth of competition.

This is the chapter ...

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