Tips From Aaron Sorkin on Screenwriting Part 1

Aaron Sorkin is an Oscar winner, tv show, and movie hitmaker.

He worked on things like A Few Good Men, Social Network, and Steve Jobs.

I recently took his MasterClass and here are a few good tips for screenwriting. As well as some insider information on Aaron.

Better at writing than speaking out loud.

Some people live this way. They would rather the entire world only ever communicate in text.

When they try to speak out loud things become convoluted and confusing. But Writing has a clear flow and pattern.

Aaron admits to being this way.

It’s like writing is our first language and speaking is a second (or third 😂).

Aaron believes writing can be taught, but some of it is unteachable talent.

I half agree with this thought. I think all skills involved with writing can be talked about and taught.

Will everyone who’s taught how to write well, enjoy it? No.

Will this make some succeed and some fail? Yes.

Don’t worry if you’re afraid you can’t be taught how to write screenplays. If you’re that concerned about it then your someone who will probably get very good at it over time and experience and practice.

Start with the character and an intention with an obstacle.

There’s a guy and he wants the girl, but she’s dating someone else.

There’s a Princess that wants to be queen but her sister is first in line for the throne.

There is a mother and she needs a thanksgiving turkey, but when she reaches out to grab it, it’s snatched up by someone else.

Intentions and obstacles are so important to meaningful and interesting conflict.

It sets the script in motion. Without it, it’s like, “why are we here and where are we going?”

The obstacle has to be believably formidable.

Aaron joked about times in college when he wrote stories that were full of witty dialogue that didn’t go anywhere.

This can happen if we have characters but no intentions or obstacles. We’d be directionless.

And the obstacle has to be believable or the reader will quickly lose interest.

Why would they care to find out what happens next if the stakes aren’t high?

Press on the intention and obstacle.

What is your story? What does the character want and what is in their way?

If you have 5 friends that are going on a road trip across the country that’s not good enough.

They need to be on the other side of the country. They need to get to the other side within 6 days or else one of them loses his life’s goal, career, dream job, etc.

Along the way, they run into many side trials and roadblocks that make their journey there full of tension and conflict which is more interesting than just a road trip for fun.

Watch out for easy outs.

Have you ever been watching a movie and thought something like, “Why didn’t they just go through the back door? Why didn’t they just call the police earlier? Why didn’t they just-?”

You name it. If you have something the character could have done to get through the obstacle easier or quicker and it’s obvious to the viewer, that’s a big problem.

They are going leave feeling like the obstacles were stupid and not believable.

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Tips From Aaron Sorkin on Screenwriting Part 1

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That’s all for now.

Hope this helps!

Happy writing!

Resources:

Why Start a Blog

How to Start a Blog in 11 Simple Easy Steps in 2020

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How to Write a Book: 32 Tips | Your MASSIVE Guide How to Write a Book

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Tips From Aaron Sorkin on Screenwriting Part 1

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Tips From Aaron Sorkin on Screenwriting Part 1

Enjoying Tips From Aaron Sorkin on Screenwriting Part 1? Take a moment and consider sharing this social-friendly image to say thanks and feel free to comment with your thoughts below! 🙂