Helpful tips, deep dives, and rumination on the art and craft of film, TV, and screenwriting.
Chad Handley on Hitting The Black List, the Importance of Writers Groups, and (Not) Moving to LA
North Carolina film and TV writer, Chad Handley, didn’t always know he wanted to work in film, but he knew a good visual when he saw one. In the ninth grade, he loved drawing, so when his teacher announced that the class could do their next book...
Meet Zac Hug!
We are SO excited to introduce you to our new RomCom Instructor! Zac Hug is an accomplished screenwriter and teacher and will be diving into teaching a RomCom Seminar and Workshop in January! Here's an Intro to Zac in his Own Words: I write scripts...
The First Draft is the Writer’s Draft
The First Draft The first draft is really the writer’s draft. You owe no apology for it being messy, for it being murky, for it being wobbly. It’s your draft. That’s you figuring out the story you want to tell. And yes, you’re going to do your...
A Quick Intro to One-Hour Pilots: Killing Eve
It really depends on who you talk to as to what the structure of a one-hour pilot should be. Instead of using the word "should" I'd like to use the word "could." In my opinion, in today's marketplace, your one-hour pilot can be anything it wants...
Five Things Producers Wish You Knew About Querying
Writing a script is an exhilarating process. Once you have a great script locked, it makes sense that you'd want to start querying and get it into a producer or executive’s hands as soon as possible. However, there are some do's, and don’ts, that...
How I Got My Book Agent
So, you want to know how I got my agent. There’s a short way to explain this: I wrote a book, I queried that book, I wrote another book, I queried that book, and boom! Agent. So neat and so clean. Right? Wrong. It did not take me over a year to...
A Quick Intro to Half Hour TV Structure
It’s no secret that if you want to tell a great onscreen story TV is where it’s at. However, writing your first or even fifth pilot can feel a bit overwhelming. So, we’re starting a new series where we break down great pilot episodes of fantastic...
Secrets of the Gatekeepers: What Script Readers Want You to Know
I read a lot of scripts. Like a lot. And it's so much better when they're brief. So I'll cut to the chase: here are the top nine things to increase the chances your script makes it past the gatekeepers: Your Action Lines Matter More than You Think...
Upcoming Screenwriting Competitions, Labs & Fellowships
Over the years, we’ve had more than a few writing competition placements that have resulted in great things for our writers, which is why we wanted to help you get a headstart on the deadlines for the labs, competitions, and fellowships that are...
Cat Wilkins on Selling Her First Script, Working with Linda Voorhees, and the Power of Chili Lime Almonds
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Cat Wilkins wanted to pursue the dream of being a screenwriter from a very young age. In fact, she's got the proof in writing. "I was fortunate enough to be able to go home for the Holidays--I went early to beat...
The Basics of Act 1
PROTAGONIST: Every scene, relationship, and event of conflict revolves around the Hero and his/her goal. The goal should be concrete, something you can shoot with a camera. Establish a goal you can build a climax scene around that...
Writers Need To Write
Let me just say it. Writers need to write. Write an exceptional script with great characters who are in constant action and reaction. What writers don’t need to do? Everybody else’s job. The scripts that micro-manage every inch of the page by...
There’s No Guilt In Guilty Pleasures
We here at ProPath Screenwriting always aim high. High with our notes. High with our enthusiasm for our writers. High with how we get the word out about our desire to help all writers take their work to the next level. With...
The Hardest Lesson to Learn – Write Now!
Writing is a singular endeavor, that in the early stages of a career requires a great amount of discipline and self-motivation. You aren’t under contract. You don’t have a deadline except for the one you give yourself, so it becomes easy to do...
Summer Movies We Love
Hang on to summer by watching fun, light, carefree films. They might not be on anyone’s premier list, but they will make you want to get out the blender, some rum, and mix some old fashioned daiquiris. Fight the heat of summer and watch an...
Everything You Need for a Successful Page One
First there is the cogitation phase, then there is the bloom of an idea that develops into a full concept for a movie. After the treatment and the step-outline, you’re finally ready to write your script. Now you’re facing page one. Page one is the...
Why Do We Love the Movies?
Entertainment and escape are reason enough to love movies. No one needs to make an apology because he or she writes a movie that wows the audience. It’s about pulling the audience into a world and into a character that gives them a vicarious ride...
The Ultimate Rewrite Checklist
Go through each scene and evaluate each of these questions: Whose scene is it? Who is dominant in the scene? Who has power in the scene? Is there a shift of power within the scene? What conflict generates the action of the scene? Does the scene...
The Key to Creating a Great Opening Hook
That opening hook is everything. It’s the contract you make with the audience to deliver a movie that entertains and excites. So, what are the elements of an opening hook that gives the writer the best advantage for a great script? GENRE: Get your...
Why Start ProPath?
Meet Tim and Linda, Your Guides to Hollywood Success The journey to screenwriting success is an exciting adventure and the good news is that there are more ways than ever to make your voice heard. Hollywood is rife with opportunity, and with...
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