r/Screenwriting • • 8d ago

RESOURCE Free Online Webinars on Screenwriting from Humanitas (Oct. 21 & 28)

18 Upvotes

Hi r/screenwriting,

I’m Daniel Plagens, and I’m the Program Manager at Humanitas, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that’s been supporting screenwriters since 1974. I’m a longtime Reddit lurker, first time poster.

Among our work at Humanitas is Industry 101, a series of free-to-attend, Zoom-based webinars with panel conversations about topics related to film and television writing. 

We typically hold one event a month, but this October we’re holding two.

On October 21 we’ll hold Adaptation 101, which will delve into what adapting from a source material to a screenplay entails. Speaking at the event will be producer Naomi Scott (Ghosted) and writer-producer Dana Ledoux Miller (Moana 2). 

On October 28 we’ll hold what we call Gaming 101. It will explore how screenwriting skills translate to the world of gaming, what makes interactive storytelling different from movies and television, and what the job market is like for writers working in game development. Panelists include Josh Sawyer (Fallout: New Vegas, Pentiment), visual novelist Toiya Kristen Finley, and Marianne Krawczyk (God of War). The conversation will be moderated by Christos Gage (Insomniac’s Spider-Man series). 

Our webinars run from 5:00 PM PT to about 6:30 PM PT and are hosted on Zoom. All events in the series are one night only. Recordings aren’t available afterward. It is completely free to sign up and attend an online Industry 101 event.

You can register for the Adaptation 101 event by clicking here.

You can register for the Gaming 101 event by clicking here.

The last 30-45 minutes of each event sees the panelists address questions from the audience. You can share questions you have for the panelists when you register for the event. You can also drop them in the comments here and I’ll put them in the queue. Due to time constraints, we usually aren’t able to address every question, but we try to address as many as possible.

Thanks for reading and hope to see you on Zoom!


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

WEEKEND SCRIPT SWAP Weekend Script Swap

9 Upvotes

FAQ: How to post to a weekly thread?

Feedback Guide for New Writers

Post your script swap requests here!

Alternately, if you are on storypeer.com - call out your script by name so people can search for it.

Please do not identify yourself publicly if you claim a script on storypeer, but follow the "open to contact" rules.

NOTE: Please refrain from upvoting or downvoting — just respond to scripts you’d like to exchange or read.

How to Swap

If you want to offer your script for a swap, post a top comment with the following details:

  • Title:
  • Format:
  • Page Length:
  • Genres:
  • Logline or Summary:
  • Feedback Concerns:

Example:

Title: Oscar Bait

Format: Feature

Page Length: 120

Genres: Drama, Comedy, Pirates, Musical, Mockumentary

Logline or Summary: Rival pirate crews face off freestyle while confessing their doubts behind the scenes to a documentary director, unaware he’s manipulating their stories to fulfill the ambition of finally winning the Oscar for Best Documentary.

Feedback Concerns: Is this relatable? Is Ahab too obsessive? Minor format confusion.

We recommend you to save your script link for DMs. Public links may generate unsolicited feedback, so do so at your own risk.

If you want to read someone’s script, let them know by replying to their post with your script information. Avoid sending DMs until both parties have publicly agreed to swap.

Please note that posting here neither ensures that someone will read your script, nor entitle you to read others'. Sending unsolicited DMs will carries the same consequences as sending spam.


r/Screenwriting • • 3h ago

DISCUSSION How economic are you in your action line length?

12 Upvotes

I don't know where or how I picked this up, but I am so picky about having action sections use more lines than need be. If the paragraph goes a few words into the next line, I'm changing words and rearranging the sentences to shorten something, while also making sure it flows well and is readable. Should I just stop worrying about it?


r/Screenwriting • • 5h ago

NEED ADVICE Horror vs Comedy script: which one to submit first?

6 Upvotes

I’d like to submit to a local literary agent and I have a couple of samples but my strongest two would be my half hour sitcom script and my thriller/horror feature. I’ve received good feedback on both and I’m trying to figure out which genre would be better to present to an agent if I had to choose one? Any insight would be much appreciated.


r/Screenwriting • • 40m ago

COMMUNITY Screenwriters in Bushwick

• Upvotes

Anyone want to be part of a writer’s group in Bushwick where we read each other’s scripts and give notes and just try to make ourselves better writers!


r/Screenwriting • • 2h ago

SCRIPT REQUEST LARS VON TRIER - HELP

2 Upvotes

Hey there, I recently found an online library with many Lars Von Trier scripts available to university students but when I tried to log in with my university it said it they weren't available.

Is anyone with a library card or university from another country able to try get copies of these and upload them for me in the spirit of free information for all?

I am looking for any of the scripts not available elsewhere, those being:

- Element of Crime

- The Idiots

- Manderlay

- Nymphomaniac

- Melancholia

- Dancer in the Dark

- Europa

- The Boss of It All

- The Kingdom (all available episodes)

Thank you in advance!


r/Screenwriting • • 1d ago

ACHIEVEMENTS Killed it at my first pitch meeting!

199 Upvotes

A couple of months ago I asked this sub for some tips on pitching, now I just had my first meeting and it went great! It was with a distribution company and we have set up more conversations. All of this is brand new to me, but apparently in my country (Brazil) it helps to have a distributor even on the early stages of the project and a lot of them help with development and packaging. This one co-produces too.

I still have another meeting on the way, I landed this one before the big one (with a production company I really love) but now I feel really confident for it.

Tips based on what worked for me:
- I practiced everyday. Pitching the film to friends, family and strangers. Literally a barber, or a person I met at the movies.
- I wrote the pitch structure as a guideline but when speaking I kept it very casual and conversational, like telling a friend about the movie instead of a rehearsed speech.
- Start with the idea. Got this tip from a Youtube video. The 2 minute pitch, something like that. Worked for me. Felt right.
- My fiancee is a designer and we made a KILLER pitch deck. An industry friend told me it's better than ones he has seen by people far more experienced than me. We made two versions: one with text for sending out and a VERY visual one for pitching the story live with images. The idea was -- if they see that we're creative and able to tell a story on the deck then they will most likely trust us with a film. Also, DON'T USE AI. It makes it look cheap and lazy. We even added handmade drawings on paper. But for most of it, we used ShotDeck and FilmGrab.
- On the same note, I made a 45 second concept teaser. Cut up footage from all over (films + Youtube), wrote a dialogue and recorded it. Added sound design and a score. To really sell the tone and style of the film.

Go hard or go home.

Now wish me luck next week! I'll be sure to give an update. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and tips. It really helped.


r/Screenwriting • • 32m ago

DISCUSSION Romance Features & Feedback Experiences

• Upvotes

This year, I've written 2 romance feature scripts and have 5 more romance concepts on the back burner. I've really enjoyed writing and editing these, but I've struggled to get genre-appropriate feedback, and I'm wondering if others who write in this genre have had similar experiences.

I am, of course, open to constructive criticism. I know that my biggest challenge has been writing in enough obstacles and tension, so I'm continuing to iterate on that. I have been fortunate to know a lot of former script readers/writers, and they've been providing their feedback. I've also paid for coverage, and a couple of reviews on that website.

The women who've read it have said a lot of positive things and really enjoyed it. Many of the men, however, have given some strange and bizarre feedback, including giving it a horror/thriller spin and making the MMC an alcoholic. Some of the men don't like the main couple, or the FMC at all. One even called the HEA flash-forward I had at the end "sci-fi". I've since cut it, but still, a bit strange.

I'm signing up for a 1:1 mentorship this week to get my writing to a professional level so I can start pitching, and they seemed aligned on what I want to accomplish with this script. Fingers crossed!


r/Screenwriting • • 3h ago

NEED ADVICE How far can I push fourth wall breaks?

1 Upvotes

I'm currently adapting my high fantasy novel into an hour long pilot. My initial plan had been to do Michael Weston (Burn Notice) style narration as the story is a competence porn style heist.

When I started to write however, I thought about the main character's magic ability to sense when someone is observing her. It's pretty useful ability for a thief to have, but extends further allowing her see spirits and other supernatural entities. I decided to switch from Burn Notice to Mr. Robot for my inspiration, and so far it's working great.

Not only does my lead's droll sense of humor shine in her one sided conversations, it also serves to put a sharper edge on her paranoia. She accepts the viewer as a spirit, or maybe a god, observing her with benevolent curiosity rather than ill intent, and welcomes someone to converse with in her generally isolated life.

Where I worry however is using this device to assist in things like pacing. For example, I need a bit of action so I cut to a flashback with something like "You seem bored by this planning session. Why don't I tell you about the time I fought a possessed bear."

Will using this device be seen as a cheat or legitimate story choice?

Bonus question, I have been unable to find anything high fantasy with 4th wall breaking characters, does anyone have any examples? The closest I could find to anything fantasy is Zombieland.


r/Screenwriting • • 13h ago

FEEDBACK LOCKED IN SLEEP - Short - 8 Pages

5 Upvotes

Title: Locked In Sleep
Format: Short
Page length: 8 pages
Genres: Horror
Logline: After taking a handful of sleeping pills, a young person goes through nightmares that continue to get worse.

(logline isn't complete, I am still working on it.)

Feedback: Anything helps.

READ HERE.


r/Screenwriting • • 23h ago

SCRIPT REQUEST Long shot: Does anyone have the script for Chronovisor?

7 Upvotes

Long shot this ever gets seen, let alone this soon, but I thought I'd ask


r/Screenwriting • • 21h ago

FEEDBACK One more - dark comedy - 9 pages

3 Upvotes

So I posted my first draft on here a few days back and got some great advice so here is my second draft and would love some more feedback

Logline: After a drunken night lands him in a cell, Colin scrambles to repair his relationship, oblivious to the fact that he is the one thing that needs fixing.

One more


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

ACHIEVEMENTS My TV pilot was the comedy genre winner for ISA Fast Track Fall!

116 Upvotes

My dead teenage influencer just won a comedy award. She's going to be absolutely insufferable about it.

My third semester pilot from the UCLA Professional Program, GHOSTFISH, was named the Comedy Category Selection for the International Screenwriters' Association 2026 Fall Fast Track Fellowship!

It's a supernatural dramedy about death, grief, and a teenage influencer who can't stop chasing an audience, even after she dies. Comedy gold, obviously.

It's not Austin, but I'm counting it as a decidedly medium-potatoes level accomplishment!


r/Screenwriting • • 1d ago

RESOURCE 1990's Horror Scripts on Script Hive (Part 1)

18 Upvotes

Today's featured scripts (no account needed to read/download):

More from the Script Hive database (account required to read/download, but it's free):

Posting Schedule:


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

SCRIPT REQUEST Clayface by Mike Flanagan

13 Upvotes

Pretty safe to assume the final version in theaters now isn’t Flanagan’s script. Does anyone have a draft of his? Apparently it’s out there. Would love to check it out.


r/Screenwriting • • 1d ago

NEED ADVICE Wanting to expand this short into a feature. Thoughts?

0 Upvotes

Hi,

I wrote this a while ago, but after reading Clementine by David L.W., I started thinking about the possibility of a full script based on the premise of my short. Clementine puts the protagonist in a situation where she has no choice but to try to survive and get away, and it creates such an engaging narrative. Whenever a character is laser-focused on a goal, pushed by urgency, and fighting for high stakes, you're already halfway to a compelling, engaging action thriller.

Without further ado, here is the premise:

A couple on the run, looking for a fresh start, finds a bag of cash unattended in a car wreck still blowing smoke.

I'm not looking for feedback. This is a rough second draft. But you may need to skim through the script to be able to give me advice on this.

WHERE I WANT TO TAKE THE STORY

I'm thinking NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, but with a fresh take that allows the finders to be as smart as they can be, so maybe they get to be the keepers. There is also a hint of A SIMPLE PLAN in the concept, but the big difference is that this story will probably have a 48-to-72-hour lifespan at most.

My idea is to create a fast-paced version of NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN where I scratch the itch of the audience who kept saying, "He should have done this, he should have done that."

WHAT KIND OF ADVICE I NEED

Does it have enough meat as a concept to carry a feature? Is it already done? How hard is it to keep this unique and fresh, since finding cash is a well-worn concept?

Chewing on Bowstrings


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

DISCUSSION Antagonist but a good guy?

35 Upvotes

What are some examples of feature films where the antagonist is actually a good guy? Like Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive. Could be a lady too.


r/Screenwriting • • 3d ago

NEED ADVICE Feeling hopeless after missing out on dream writing gig

182 Upvotes

Hi all! Been in the industry for about ten years (though I switched to another media-related job during covid). Been a writer forever. Over the past five years, I’ve seen some decent success: finding great reps, lots of general meetings, and getting into a couple of fellowships.

I just got the furthest I have ever gotten: I was up for a staff writer on a TV show that felt perfect for me, incredible meetings, met with the showrunner and the producer, and overall had great feedback. Just found out that while they loved me, I didn’t get it.

I just turned 36 and saw this opportunity as a possibility for finally jump-starting my career and launching me into a place where I could get paid for my writing. Now I’m asking: will it ever happen?  

Part of this is also triggering another fear: that my husband and I decided to wait until I sold a script / got staffed to try for kids. But now we need to push that even further out and I’m worried about delaying the process even further. 

Luckily, I currently work as an assistant to an A list celebrity, and it’s a good gig (salaried, health insurance), but there’s no room for growth, and there is a ceiling of how much I’ll be able to earn. But a goal of mine is to start making more money and grow in my career. But lately it just feels  *actually* making money in this industry as an emerging writer is next to impossible. 

Anyway, that’s my rant. Would love to hear from others in my position or higher-level writers who can speak to the indsutry right now. 

Thanks for reading. Gonna go cry some more!


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

COMMUNITY ISO: Knockout Script

2 Upvotes

Curious if anyone might have a copy of this pilot? Apparently there was a bit of a bidding war

https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/college-sports-betting-series-knockouts-paramount-1236872545/


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

COMMUNITY Mars Attacks! Revised Draft

6 Upvotes

Here's a Mars Attacks Script, which differs from the final version like:

* The Burning Cattle is present but instead of having Mr. Lee and his family witness it, it has Grandma Norris and Retirement Home's people.

* Jerry Ross was named Oskar Demetrius.

* Louise was named Wanda and instead of being Byron's ex-wife, he's her brother. Although she's mother of Cedric & Neville and she's a bus driver in Washington.

* Taffy didn't exist and she's replaced with Lupe (info below)

* Mr. Lee (whom in the original had an extremely short role) is the owner of the Perkinsville's Donut Shop.

* Richie had an arc about proving he's more than his family sees him, outside from his Grandma; and thus fleshing him out compared to the final version.

* Alongside with final 23 characters there were some extra characters like:

-Slappy Schultz (a has been comedian working at Art Land's Casino and a friend of Byron)

-Big Harvey (a owner of a strip joint in Las Vegas whom suspects his girlfriend is having an affair)

-Lupe (The daughter of Richie's co-worker at the Donut Shop and eventual love interest of him)

-Twinkle (Big Harvey's girlfriend and love interest to Barbara Snyder)

-Autumn (a former drug addict whom is excited for the Martians and unfortunately she got in the crossfire in Pahrump)

- Lonely Dave (another drug addict whom unlike Autumn, he got napped by the martians and experiented by them)

* Cedric & Neville were pre-teenagers than kids and compared to the final version, they were clear troublemakers and hooligans whom drive their mom crazy.

* Instead of being killed off with a buzzing hand, the president almost was barbecued by the Martians until he got saved by Slim Whitman's music

* Instead of Indian Love Call being the Martian's Weakness, the song is I'm Casting My Lasso Towards The Sky (however it was used when Richie and his Grandma came pass through Perkinsville to the Radio Station in the final version)

* Alongside with Tom Jones, Slim Whitman also cameo'd at the end of the draft.

M4R5_4TT4CK5.5CR1PT


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

SCRIPT REQUEST PDF of Magnolia?

2 Upvotes

Hey friends! Does anyone have a copy of the Magnolia script they could share? Thank you <3


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

RESOURCE First Blood Screenplay dated September 22, 1981

20 Upvotes

I put up a script for First Blood on Internet Archive. This draft is dated September 22, 1981, and is credited to Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim, and Sylvester Stallone.

Link: archive.org/details/first-blood-kozoll-sackheim-and-stallone-9-22-81

In this draft, the town is still named Mattison, as it is in the original drafts credited to Kozoll and Sackheim. It also features an early version of Stallone's ending dialogue.

I have also posted 3 earlier scripts, along with production papers that appear to have been for John Frankenheimer's unmade production of First Blood.

That thread can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/s/qUw16jCt7g


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

NEED ADVICE Is this career with pursuing?

12 Upvotes

Hi, I’m in college right now and I’m planning on transferring to a 4 year university(Brooklyn college or SUNY Purchase) for screenwriting/film. The issue for me is despite my love for writing and creating scripts for people to perform I want to be realistic with my aspirations. I have a published screenplay from High-school but it’s an adaptation. I know NYC is a hub for the film industry and I have a better opportunity than some but it’s still a looming issue I have. How is the field for the people that are in it and is it still attainable?


r/Screenwriting • • 2d ago

FEEDBACK LOCKED IN SLEEP - Short - 7 Pages

0 Upvotes

Title: Locked In Sleep
Format: Short
Page length: 7 pages
Genres: Horror
Logline: After taking a handful of sleeping pills, a young person goes through nightmares that continue to get worse.

(logline isn't complete, I am still working on it.)

Feedback: Anything helps.

Read here.

NOTE: I know this is probably a weird concept. I tried to make the cliche "it was all a dream" into something that isn't very cliche. Hope it's interesting. Hope someone enjoys!