To date, the posts in this section have focused on experiencing art. I wanted a post with a different perspective, so this one will focus on creating art. I truly believe that everyone has a hidden artist inside themselves. I often find that I will know someone for months, even years, before I discover that they are in fact a closet artist, someone who loves to create art through a particular form, but keeps it hidden from most around them. Some simply don't want others to know about the artist within. For many, it is a vulnerability that they would rather not risk others discovering and criticizing, belittling or mocking. This is a shame because some of the best moments in my relationships with others have come when I've discovered their artistic ventures and they've shared them with me.
We could spend years posting about various art forms on this blog and hopefully there will be more to come. But for the first post from this perspective, I've chosen something that is relatively cheap and anyone can do: screenwriting.
Storytelling has been the cornerstone of the human culture since the beginning of time. It is how we communicate and how we understand our social existence and the world around us. I once heard a study that found, on average, by the time we turn six, we have heard over twenty thousands stories in our lifetime.
Screenwriting is writing stories for the screen, for cinema or television. One can write feature films, short films, television shows, etc. There is an endless list that is only bound by the limitations of your imagination as people are constantly finding new forms of screen-based storytelling. Some people write simply for the joy of it. Others write to sell their scripts. Still, others write to produce their scripts and enter them into film festival contests. There really is no wrong reason as long as you enjoy what you're doing.
Chances are that you have had an idea for an interesting story. When you share your story with others, you are enriching our culture. Think back on your own life. Chances are that you can quickly name a book or movie that played a significant role in the formation of who you are today. Screenwriting gives you the ability to have the same impact on others.
There are essentially two things you need to start screenwriting. The first is some sort of word processing program on your computer. It doesn't matter which program you use. I certainly recognize that you could use a typewriter or handwrite your script like in the old days, but I just can't imagine how much additional work these latter two options require when it comes to editing.
The other must is good guide book. Screenwriting books are a dime a dozen. It is difficult to know which one is ideal for your needs. When I started writing screenplays, I spent hours on the internet trying to find a good book. The book that consistently showed up in the recommendations was David Trottier's "The Screenwriter's Bible." This is not an effort to promote sales or anything else. I've never met David Trottier and have no motivation to line his pockets with more cash. Instead, this book is simply a great resource. It provides a wide range of great, simple tips to consider as you journey down the path of screenwriting. More importantly, it is an ideal reference book for screenplay formatting. Do not start worrying. Formatting is not a daunting task. However, there are some very basic rules one should generally abide by and this book will tell you anything you need to know.
So it's time to stop saying "I could have written that" after watching television shows or movies and time to sit down and put your creativity to work. Screenwriting requires little in the way of investments and the rewards or great. There is no better feeling than telling a good story. For an even better experience, find a friend who also enjoys to write and work on the screenplay together.
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