Pinky Miranda Productions

When you’re a screenwriter, there are a set of rules you have to follow, yet have all the license in the world to break. Add these rules to your list to fine-tune your scripts.

1. The 15 Minute/5 Second Rule: Depending on the length of your movie, this rule states that your main character cannot perish permanently in the first or last fifteen minutes/five seconds of your movie. Read this further explained in my other post
2. The 2 of 3 Rule: In every 2 of 3 screenplays you write, your villain has to have hair. I’m tired of watching the bald baddies taking over the movie screen. Read more about my pet peeve and this Hollywood blunder in my other post.
3. The ‘Break the Rules’ rule: your movies should push the envelope and all limits of the industry- in other words, break the rules. Even these. Break them like there’s no tomorrow- and then go back and edit your screenplay. You have to know the rules to break them, though.
4. Make it Memorable: the more plot details and character attributes your audience can remember easily is a plus. This is what makes for box office hits. It doesn’t help anyone if everyone forgets the name of your movie as they walk out of the theater.
5. Know your demographic: catering to the teenage and twenty something crowd? Chances are a musical won’t go over so well. (High School Musical is a rare exception- and should not be regarded as a ‘masterpiece’ anyhow) Throw in some suspense and action, and tone it down if your demographic is younger.

These are my very own screenwriting rules. Read ‘em, learn ‘em, break ‘em, and give the credit to me.

Note: Sorry about the long absence, it’s been pretty crazy with all of my writing jobs and I’m having a hard time with regular posts. I’m taking a Media Production class, and as expected my video projects are piled to the ceiling. Enough excuses, just expect the next post to be a little late.

~Rika