Screen writing vocabulary

jessegrillofilm · Apr 13, 2008

Hey guys. So I just got this software to improve my vocabulary and I was wondering if anyone wanted to share words they use in their writing that are not incredibly common. I am trying to diversify my vocabulary and improve my description in scenes I write. Thanks

kullervo · Apr 13, 2008

"Screenwriting."

jessegrillofilm · Apr 13, 2008

dang. I am a jackass.

Smiling Ted · Apr 13, 2008

Jesse-

Don't try to widen your vocabulary for the sake of screenwriting. Most Dev people want things described as simply as possible in a script. Your best bet isn't a tutorial program; it's a thesaurus.

kullervo · Apr 13, 2008

And then toss your thesaurus. Screenwriting is lean, not beautiful. Hemingway stuck to small Anglo-Saxon words and so should the screenwriter. Do not use words with which you are not naturally familiar. The only good way to enlarge your vocabulary is to read extensively, but it really is not necessary with screenwriting.

NikeeGoddess · Apr 14, 2008

do what kullervo said but -- never toss your thesaurus. sometimes you have a word but it's not quite right. the thesaurus can help you find that perfect word.

the final draft thesaurus is great.

Higgins · Apr 14, 2008

jessegrillofilm said:
Hey guys. So I just got this software to improve my vocabulary and I was wondering if anyone wanted to share words they use in their writing that are not incredibly common. I am trying to diversify my vocabulary and improve my description in scenes I write. Thanks

I may have to use "rubato"...It will kill the screenplay, but maybe it will be worth it.

Once the screenplay is dead, I can just take "rubato" out and try again.

jessegrillofilm · Apr 14, 2008

Just wanted to mix up the vocabulary a bit to seperate my work from other writers. I will stick with the thesaurus for the most part. Thanks.

Julie Gray · Apr 15, 2008

You are a writer dear to my heart for wanting to expand your vocabulary. But scripts are NOT the place for funky, uncommon words. Your script should be cinematic, evocative - and easy to read. It's not that readers won't get it - they will - but it's annoying and distracting.

Screen writing vocabulary

jessegrillofilm

kullervo

minion

jessegrillofilm

Smiling Ted

Ah-HA!

kullervo

minion

NikeeGoddess

Higgins

jessegrillofilm

Julie Gray