Donald L. Vasicek

Month: April 2012

  • Screenwriting Success

    Screenwriting is a highly competitive business. In order to enhance your chances for success, you must write a first draft of the screenplay, then a rewrite, or rewrites, and then a polish, before it should be put out in the market.

    To get an “in”, you must network, which should include attending  screenwriting seminars, workshops, classes, etc. You should also study movies and screenplays on an on-going basis to pick up on timing, rhythm, tone, mood, and read everything about screenwriting and networking you can get your hands on, etc.

    The fine point of succeeding as a screenwriter is to utilize perseverance. It pays off.  So, regardless of what stands up in front of you, you must utilize your passion for your work to overcome every obstacle, no matter how difficult it might be.

    So, get out there and get after it!

    Passion

  • “How to Write a Story”

    In every story, there must be a beginning, a middle,
    and an end.  It must contain a main theme that holds
    everything in the story together.  The story should also
    have a main character who has to achieve a goal in
    the story.  There should also be an opposing force,
    an antagonist, and/or a villain who has the same goal,
    but for a different reason and who goes about achieving
    the goal in a different way.

    Another key element to writing an effective story is
    to make sure you are “showing” the story and not
    “telling” the story.  The way you accomplish this is
    to pay special attention to your verb usage.  Using
    passive verbs results in “telling” the story.  Using
    action verbs results in “showing” the story.  You
    must have the instinct to know when to use
    passive verbs and when to use action verbs.  This
    will make a big difference in the effectiveness of
    your story.

    A compelling story always contains these story
    elements.  It is in the execution of these elements
    that determines how compelling your story will be.

    I hope this is of help to you.

    Award-Winning Writer/Filmmaker Donald L. Vasicek