If you don’t read, you’ll remain a stifled writer. Imagination grows when fed, and reading screenplays is one of the best ways.

The Big Picture

• Reading a screenplay helps inform you about how others break down their stories, characters, and actions. You also get to learn what ways you would like to present your written word on the page. E.g. I love the way Martin McDonnaugh formats.

• You only get one chance to hook a reader. Reading a screenplay of the movies that hooked you helps to illustrate what may or may not be needed to hook others with your script.

• Learn to predict the future. By reading films that win competitions, and film festivals, and appear on sights like Coverfly, you’ll learn to predict the future of Hollywood. E.g. Promising Young Woman was a Blacklist winner in 2018 and was nominated for an Oscar in 2020.

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