Best Way To Learn Screenwriting by Richard 'RB' Botto (Stage 32 CEO)

MORE VIDEOS WITH RICHARD "RB" BOTTO

BECOME A MEMBER OF STAGE 32

CONNECT WITH RICHARD "RB" BOTTO

CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FILM COURAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

PROMOTE A MOVIE, WEBSERIES, OR PRODUCT ON FILM COURAGE

SUPPORT FILM COURAGE

[andrewdomville]

Great interview always insightful. I just entered the script pipeline contest for a feature length script I wrote. Fingers crossed.

[ClubpoppTV]

During my hiatus from actively pursuing screenwriting, (after my daughter turned seven), I continued to screen countless movies late at night, thousands of movies from 40's, 50's 80's, and so on.. I then started reading the scripts of movies I was viewing as a training method - especially to develop your 'ear' .. (another nice trick - focus your eyes outside the frame of your TV screen - and you will see the camera positions, etc.) After several years of training my eyes and ears to craft a story on a professional level... like Neo, in "The Matrix". I can now see the 'code' - the writing on the wall, or paper as it plays... Practice writing the scene on paper in your mind as you're watching it .. its cool.

I never put much value in following the advice of someone who eventually failed at what I am trying to do... Some are really good for structure... But no one can instruct you on imagination or creativity.  Do the work... and write everyday. I'm finding better ways of getting from point A to B each and everyday I write. But I must write to get better.

[dinarboyo]

Probably the best advice ever, books are cool but in the end, the best way (which is free btw) is to sit on a couch with a screenplay and the movie and see how they did it.

Never understood why gurus sell so much when 95% of them never really did a good movie (or even a movie)

[dallasryandaisydolittle]

That's great stuff, thanks Richard!

[TSCMJ]

I have been a movie and TV nut all my life. I wanted to be a screenwriter but never got the "parental" backing or encouragement. So, I worked factories all my life and grew more and more miserable. I'm now 51 years old and still want to learn screenwriting against all odds. Even online classes are expensive, so I bought Dave Trottier's THE SCREENWRITER'S BIBLE. It has further inspired me to write at least one script. My only regret is I wish I had started earlier.

[wesleytaylor]

"Your second act goes on for two hours" 😂

[JackDecker]

This is the Number One piece of advice given by professional screenwriters in the closed Facebook group for screenwriters that I belong to.  Many advocate watching a different movie each night, then reading the screenplay, and then reading the screenplay as you watch the movie again.  However, some caution about reading old screenplays because norms and conventions change over time.  While many in the group agree that Citizen Kane is one of the best movies ever made, its screenplay is out of date for how they're done today.  Not that you shouldn't read the screenplays of the classics BUT do so after you learn from modern screenplays how they are done today so when you read the classics you don't pick up their outdated elements.

Their Number Two piece of advice is move out to LA.  Everywhere else is Flyover Country.  You got to be where the jobs are.  You've got to be able to make a meeting when you get a call that day.  You've got to network, network, network.  Build your own personal network, tap into other networks, and become part of other networks.

[yondel-kttkoh]

Sometimes i just have to say that you have to have it in you. Its a gift just like all other trades. Its up to you to master it. Some people just don't have it and never realize it and others do.

You are one that has it in. You have the eye and imagination. Its a gift not something you can learn all.

[JorgePrietoNYC]

Totally agree with RB.  Once you got the basics.  One needs to get a idea,  work that idea in your head for a while (my outline begins in my head and stays there until I hit the computer), now your ending (like RB said) for it becomes your roadmap and then write, write, rewrite.  I do read good and bad scripts, the ones that touch me, that cause a change on me internally, those are my favorites and there are many great ones (as far as story) from the 80's and 90's) lately  (with Marvels and the super heroes) not so much.  Thank you both from a Stage 32 member and a diehard fan of FC.

[thomaskubrak]

This video is rich with golden nuggets. Definitely worth a re watch