7 Deadly Sins of Screenwriting: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Sin #1: The Uninspired Logline: A Lack of Hook

Your logline is the single sentence that encapsulates your entire screenplay. It's the elevator pitch, the one-liner that hooks a reader and makes them want to know more. A weak logline is like a bad first impression – it leaves the reader indifferent and uninterested.

What Makes a Logline Uninspired?

• Generic and formulaic: "A young woman goes on a quest to find her true love." This is so broad and predictable that it's unlikely to stand out.
• Lack of conflict: "A family goes on vacation and has a great time." Where's the drama? The tension? The reader needs to be invested in the characters' struggles.
• Too much information: "A former spy must team up with his ex-wife to stop a rogue government agency from unleashing a deadly virus." This logline is crammed with plot details, making it unwieldy and unmemorable.

The Power of a Hook

Think about the loglines of successful movies. They're usually short, punchy, and intriguing. For example:

• The Godfather: "An aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son."
• The Matrix: "A computer hacker learns that what he sees as reality is actually a simulated world."
• Pulp Fiction: "The lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner waitresses intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption."

How to Craft a Hooky Logline

1. Identify the core conflict: What is the central struggle driving your story?
2. Introduce the protagonist: Who is the main character and what's at stake for them?
3. Use strong verbs: Instead of "goes on a quest", try "fights to escape", "must stop", or "is forced to confront."
4. Keep it concise: Aim for a logline that is under 25 words.
5. Test it on others: Get feedback from fellow writers, friends, and family to see if your logline effectively piques their interest.

Remember: Your logline is your first impression. Make it count!

Sin #2: The Overstuffed Plot: Too Many Storylines

Imagine a delicious meal. You've got your succulent steak, perfectly roasted vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes. Now imagine someone throws a handful of spaghetti, a scoop of ice cream, and a few pieces of fried chicken on top. The result? A culinary disaster.

The same principle applies to screenwriting. A story packed with too many storylines can quickly become a chaotic mess, confusing the audience and leaving them with a sense of unsatisfaction.

The Dangers of Overstuffing

• Lost Focus: With multiple storylines vying for attention, the central plot can lose its impact. The audience struggles to connect with the main characters and their journey, as their attention is constantly being pulled in different directions.
• Unresolved Conflicts: Each storyline deserves its own resolution. If you have too many, you risk leaving many threads hanging, leaving the audience feeling cheated.
• Uneven Character Development: With a limited amount of screen time, each character needs adequate development. Too many storylines can lead to rushed, underdeveloped characters that feel flat and uninteresting.
• Unrealistic Pacing: Trying to juggle multiple storylines can result in an uneven pace. Scenes can feel rushed or dragged out, disrupting the flow of the story and making it feel disjointed.

Focusing on the Essentials

The key to crafting a compelling screenplay lies in focusing on the essentials. Choose a central conflict that drives the narrative, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Prioritize character development and make sure each scene contributes to the overarching story.

Tips for Avoiding the Overstuffed Plot:

• Start with a Clear Concept: Before you begin writing, take the time to outline your story. What's the central conflict? What are the main characters' goals? Focus on the core story that will drive the narrative.
• Choose a Limited Number of Storylines: Resist the urge to cram too many stories into your script. Two or three well-developed storylines are more effective than five or six half-baked ones.
• Prioritize Character Development: Spend time developing your main characters, their motivations, and their relationships. Each character should play a significant role in the story.
• Edit Ruthlessly: Don't be afraid to cut out any storylines or scenes that don't contribute to the central plot. Be ruthless in your editing to ensure a focused and engaging story.

Remember, less is more. By focusing on the core elements of your story, you can create a screenplay that is both engaging and satisfying for your audience.

Further Reading:

• Screenwriting 101: Plot and Structure
• How to Write a Great Screenplay: Plot
• Plot Structure: Understanding the Fundamentals of Screenwriting

Sin #3: The Flat Character: A Lack of Depth and Complexity

Characters are the heart and soul of any story. Without compelling characters, your screenplay will be flat and lifeless, no matter how exciting your plot. A flat character is one-dimensional, lacking any real depth or complexity. They are predictable, unchanging, and often serve as mere plot devices rather than fully realized individuals.

Why are Flat Characters a Sin?

• Lack of Audience Connection: Viewers can't relate to or care about characters who feel like cardboard cutouts. They won't invest in their journey or root for their success.
• Weak Story: Flat characters lack internal conflict and growth, making the story feel stagnant and predictable.
• Unrealistic Depiction: Real people are multifaceted, complex, and ever-evolving. Flat characters fail to capture this essential truth.

How to Avoid Creating Flat Characters:

• Give Them a Backstory: What events shaped their personality? What are their fears, motivations, and desires? A rich backstory adds depth and complexity.
• Internal Conflict: Every character should have internal struggles they grapple with. These conflicts drive their actions and create engaging moments.
• Growth and Change: Characters should evolve throughout the story. They should learn, adapt, and change in response to the events they experience.
• Flawed Perfection: Even the most admirable characters have flaws. These flaws make them relatable and add to their complexity.

Example of a Flat Character:

Consider the stereotypical 'damsel in distress' character. She is often beautiful, innocent, and helpless, relying solely on the hero for rescue. She lacks any agency or depth, serving only as a plot device to propel the hero's journey.

Example of a Well-Developed Character:

In contrast, take a character like Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. She is intelligent, brave, and resourceful. She has flaws, like being bossy and sometimes overconfident, but she also exhibits growth and change throughout the series. Her internal struggles, such as her desire to be accepted by her peers and her fear of failure, make her a compelling and relatable character.

Resources for Character Development:

• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: A great guide to building compelling characters in all types of stories.
• The Hero's Journey: A classic framework for understanding character arcs and storytelling.
• Character Development Exercises: A variety of exercises to help you develop complex and engaging characters.

Remember, well-developed characters are the cornerstone of a compelling screenplay. Avoid the sin of flat characters by giving them depth, complexity, and the potential to grow and change.

Sin #4: The Unclear Dialogue: Missing Meaning and Tension

Dialogue is the lifeblood of a screenplay. It's what propels the story forward, reveals character, and creates tension. But when dialogue is unclear, it can be a major turn-off for readers and audiences alike.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Too much exposition: Dialogue shouldn't be used to simply dump information on the audience. Instead, use it to reveal character and advance the plot. This can also be a common trap for beginner screenwriters.
• Characters talking past each other: Dialogue should be a conversation, not a series of monologues. Make sure your characters are actually listening to each other and responding in a natural way. This can help you avoid writing unnatural dialogue.
• Lack of subtext: The best dialogue is layered and suggests more than what's being said on the surface. Don't be afraid to use subtext to create tension, mystery, and intrigue. This creates more compelling and interesting dialogue for the audience.
• Dialogue that is too “on the nose”: Sometimes screenwriters will have characters say exactly what they're thinking, which can make the dialogue feel forced and unrealistic. For example, a character might say “I'm so scared” or “I'm so angry.” Instead, try to show those emotions through action and subtext. Here's a great resource on showing versus telling.
• Dialogue that is too formal: Dialogue should sound natural and conversational. Avoid using overly formal language or jargon. This also means avoiding excessive technical jargon, like “I’m going to run a diagnostic on your engine.” This would come across as stilted and unnatural to the audience.

How to write clear dialogue:

• Read your dialogue out loud: This will help you catch any clunky phrases or unnatural rhythms.
• Get feedback from others: Ask friends, family, or fellow screenwriters to read your dialogue and give you feedback. Having objective eyes is critical to developing compelling dialogue.
• Study great dialogue: Read screenplays by your favorite writers and pay attention to how they use dialogue to create tension, reveal character, and advance the plot.
• Be concise: Keep your dialogue focused and to the point. You may need to cut down on unnecessary lines. This is important to avoid slowing down the momentum of the script.
• Use conflict: Conflict is essential for compelling dialogue. Make sure your characters have something to disagree about. This can be in the form of a debate, an argument, or even a simple misunderstanding.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can write dialogue that is engaging, believable, and propels your story forward.

Sin #5: The Stale Setting: A Lack of Originality and Atmosphere

Imagine a screenplay set in a generic, nondescript office. You've seen it a hundred times before. The fluorescent lights, the beige walls, the endless rows of cubicles. This is the curse of the stale setting, a sin that can suck the life out of even the most compelling story.

Why Does This Sin Matter?

• Lacks Engagement: A lackluster setting fails to captivate the audience. It feels like a backdrop rather than a living, breathing world.
• Weakens Character Development: A setting can reveal a character's motivations, vulnerabilities, and desires. A generic setting offers little to no insight into the characters inhabiting it.
• Undermines Suspense: A predictable setting can telegraph plot points and weaken the sense of mystery or tension.

How to Avoid This Sin

• Think Beyond the Obvious: Instead of a generic office, consider an abandoned amusement park, a futuristic megacity, or even a bustling farmer's market.
• Infuse Personality: Give your setting a unique identity. What are the sounds, smells, and textures of this place? How does it reflect the characters and their conflicts?
• Embrace Sensory Detail: Go beyond mere description. Use sensory language to bring your setting to life. Describe the gritty texture of a cobblestone street, the salty tang of the ocean air, the echoing silence of a cathedral.
• Consider the Setting's Role in the Story: How does your setting influence the plot? Does it create obstacles or offer opportunities for the characters?
• Research and Inspiration: Explore the real world for inspiration. Visit museums, historical sites, or even unusual places in your own neighborhood. Read books and articles about different cultures and time periods.

Examples of Effective Settings

• The Shawshank Redemption (1994): The prison setting plays a crucial role in the film, highlighting the brutal realities of confinement and the enduring power of hope.
• Blade Runner (1982): The futuristic Los Angeles in Blade Runner is a dystopian world of neon lights, towering skyscrapers, and rain-soaked streets. This setting contributes to the film's sense of alienation and existential dread.
• Spirited Away (2001): The fantastical world of Spirited Away, filled with bizarre creatures, enchanted spirits, and a sprawling bathhouse, creates a captivating and unforgettable setting.

By avoiding the stale setting, you can create a world that is both visually captivating and emotionally resonant, immersing your audience in a compelling cinematic experience.

Resources:

• The Screenwriter's Bible: This classic guide offers insights on all aspects of screenwriting, including setting.
• The Art of the Screenplay: A comprehensive guide to screenwriting, covering the craft of creating believable and engaging settings.
• Masterclass in Screenwriting: A course by acclaimed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, offering valuable insights on crafting compelling settings.

Remember: The setting is more than just a backdrop; it's a powerful tool to engage your audience, develop your characters, and enhance your story's impact.

Sin #6: The Uninspired Pacing: Dragging or Rushed Storytelling

The pacing of your screenplay is the rhythm of your story. It’s how you control the flow of information, tension, and emotional impact. If you get the pacing wrong, you risk losing your audience—either by boring them with slow, drawn-out scenes or by rushing through crucial moments that need more development.

Dragging the Story: When Your Plot Feels Like a Marathon

Have you ever found yourself losing interest in a movie because it feels like it's taking forever to get to the point? That's a sign of slow pacing. While some genres, like dramas and character-driven stories, might benefit from a slower pace, too much can be detrimental.

Here are some common signs of a slow-paced screenplay:

• Too much exposition: You're spending too much time explaining things to your audience. It's important to establish the world and characters, but don't overload the audience with information early on.
• Unnecessary scenes: Scenes that don't contribute to the plot or character development can drag the pace. Every scene needs to serve a purpose.
• Too much dialogue: While dialogue is essential for character development and plot progression, too much of it can slow down the story. Keep the conversation focused and engaging.

Tips for avoiding slow pacing:

• Cut the fat: Be ruthless in your editing. If a scene isn't moving the story forward, it needs to go.
• Focus on action: Use action scenes to break up dialogue and create visual interest.
• Create tension: Tension keeps the audience engaged. Introduce obstacles and conflicts to keep the story moving forward.
• Use a pacing chart: A pacing chart can help you visualize the flow of your story and identify areas that might need adjustments. You can learn more about pacing charts here.

Rushed Storytelling: When Your Plot Feels Like a Sprinter

On the other hand, rushing the story can leave your audience feeling confused and dissatisfied. It's like reading a book and suddenly realizing the last few chapters are missing. The story feels incomplete, and the characters haven't had enough time to develop.

Here are some signs of rushed pacing:

• Missing plot points: You're skipping over important events that are crucial to the story.
• Characters that don't feel real: You're not giving the audience enough time to get to know and connect with the characters.
• Anti-climatic ending: The ending feels underwhelming because the story wasn't given enough time to build to a satisfying conclusion.

Tips for avoiding rushed pacing:

• Show, don't tell: Instead of simply stating the plot, show the audience what's happening through action, dialogue, and visual cues.
• Add subplots: Subplots can provide additional layers to your story and give you more opportunities to develop your characters.
• Let your characters breathe: Give your characters time to react to events and make choices.
• Break the story into acts: Dividing your story into acts can help you structure your plot and ensure that each act has enough time to develop.

The Key to Effective Pacing

The ideal pacing for your screenplay is a balance between a slow burn and a fast-paced thrill. It's about knowing when to hold back and when to speed things up.

Ultimately, the best way to achieve effective pacing is through experimentation and feedback. Read your script aloud, watch the scenes play out in your mind, and get feedback from others. By carefully crafting the pace of your story, you can create an engaging and compelling viewing experience for your audience.

Sin #7: The Weak Ending: An Unsatisfying Resolution

The ending is your final chance to leave a lasting impression on your audience. A weak ending can undo all the good work you’ve done in the rest of your script. A good ending should be satisfying, surprising, and thought-provoking. It should make the audience feel like they’ve been on a journey, and that they’ve learned something along the way.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing your ending:

• The rushed ending: This is when the ending feels like it was thrown together at the last minute. The writer doesn’t take the time to properly resolve the plot lines and give the characters a satisfying conclusion. Think about the overall arc of your story. There should be a sense of closure and payoff for all the conflicts and challenges that your characters faced.

• The deus ex machina: This is when the writer introduces a plot device out of nowhere to resolve the conflict. This can be a convenient way to wrap up the story, but it can also feel unearned and unsatisfying. Don't rely on random events or miracles to save the day. Let the characters' actions and choices drive the outcome.

• The abrupt ending: This is when the ending feels like it just stops. There is no sense of closure, and the audience is left feeling unsatisfied. Provide a sense of completion to your story, leaving the audience with a lingering feeling, a final message, or a thought-provoking question that continues the story's theme.

• The cliché ending: This is when the ending is so predictable that it feels like it’s been done before. Avoid predictable tropes and predictable twists that your audience has already seen a thousand times. Aim for originality and surprise, but make sure it's still believable within the context of your story.

• The happy ending: While happy endings can be satisfying, they don’t always make for the most compelling endings. Sometimes a more bittersweet or ambiguous ending can be more impactful. Think about the emotional impact of your ending. What kind of lasting feeling do you want your audience to walk away with?

Tips for writing a strong ending:

• Start with the end in mind: Think about what you want your ending to achieve before you even start writing. What message do you want to leave your audience with? What kind of emotional impact do you want to create?

• Don’t be afraid to be unexpected: A good ending can surprise the audience without feeling forced or unbelievable. Think about ways to subvert expectations and keep your audience guessing.

• Give your characters a sense of closure: A good ending will give the characters a chance to learn and grow. Think about how their experiences have changed them, and how they will move forward in the future.

• Leave the audience with something to think about: A great ending will linger in the audience’s mind long after the credits have rolled. Think about what questions you want to leave your audience with. What kind of conversation do you want to spark?

It's okay to leave some ambiguity, but make sure the ending is impactful and resonates with your audience. Make sure the ending is consistent with the tone and themes of your story.

For more information on how to write a great ending, you can check out these resources:

• The Screenwriter’s Bible
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
• Story by Robert McKee

Writing a satisfying and thought-provoking ending is a crucial part of screenwriting. A good ending can make all the difference in how your audience perceives your story. It can be the difference between a script that is simply entertaining and one that is truly memorable.