Reddit reviews How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make

The majority of the money came independently through individual investors. Of course, friends and family pitched in but the majority of it was plain old salesmanship. Rob and I both spent countless hours putting together professional sales packets going over the story of the film, the location, our experience, the financial possibilities, etc... A lot of salesmanship, but always being honest with potential investors.

We used Kickstarter sparingly having just hit a $5k goal recently for some extra finishing funds.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rbhamiltoniv/the-suffering-independent-horror-film-completion-f

Screenwriting wise, Rob and I both are ardent believers in reading all scripts you can get your hands on. Particularly if they are films you have seen and are familiar with. It's the best way to understand how a script translates finally onto the screen.

Of course, reading Save the Cat, and one of my favorites,

http://www.amazon.com/Save-Last-Book-Screenwriting-Youll/dp/1932907009/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396988059&sr=8-1&keywords=save+the+cat+screenwriting

"How Not to Write a Screenplay"

http://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Write-Screenplay-Screenwriters/dp/1580650155/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396988100&sr=1-1&keywords=how+not+to+write+a+screenplay

But to be honest, it's all about the story. It's what helped us acquire our investors. Having a story that was genuinely intriguing and frightening helped us reach our goal. However, the script doesn't come easily it took well over a year to work out from inception to completion.

Writers don't 'read' scripts in Hollywood from outsiders because the industry is flooded with unsolicited manuscripts every year. And 99% are horrible.

In Hollywood, readers and low-level assistants/development execs are the filter that an outsider must get through to be taken seriously. These people are handed 20-30 scripts a weekend, some from the top executive's buddy's daughter from texas, some from an agent friend, some from a writing contest. These 'readers' are so pissed that they have no weekend that they look for any small issue with the writing to tell if it is a non-professional, an industry person or some flake from Nebraska.

So to make a long story short, there is an industry standard and if the script deviates in form or style from the standard, into the recycle pile it goes. Period.

So screenwriters out there? You MUST write for the beleaguered reader, these put-upon, exhausted people that would rather die than read another poorly written script. The script has to work on all levels and the format perfect. Just having a good idea is not enough.

Try this:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Write-Screenplay-Screenwriters/dp/1580650155

Great book on the simple things to avoid.

Oh and writing screenplays is an artisan skill, incredibly detailed and complex work. If you take it on as such you will need time and knowledge and practice, practice, practice.

Another great great great book:

http://www.amazon.com/Save-Last-Book-Screenwriting-Youll/dp/1932907009/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253374543&sr=1-1

You can't do a half-ass screenplay that will sell. You need to know the rules.

Gonna give you a quick tip set here -- generally this kind of comment is going to get grabbed by automod because it looks spammy and promotional. That's not to say it is, it's just what the automod thinks when it sees these components.

Probably the reason for that is because they're isolated links to amazon, rather than links that are in context.

I'd also, just in the interest of staying within the framework of the question, include remarks that speak to the question itself rather than recommending additional resources. This individual did not ask for book recommendations, they asked for first hand commentary. That isn't to say book recommendations are unwarranted, just that they need to be treated as a secondary offering after your own opinion.

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https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Write-Screenplay-Screenwriters/dp/1580650155/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506791901&sr=8-1&keywords=how+not+to+write+a+screenplay

1. Yes, I own it.
   
2. Don't think so. Haven't finished Story. It's extremely academic for me (dry and boring).
   
3. I love screenwriting books. They get my blood pumping and remind me that I CAN DO THIS. Favorite at the moment: How Not to Write a Screenplay (got it for $0.01 used).

I like this book. It's the first one that really got me thinking about the craft of scriptwriting.

Do a page search here for "best person to ask."