I have written and re-written four feature-length scripts yet to be optioned/sold. My area of expertise is comedy. I've written a romantic comedy, an urban comedy, a spoof, and even a political comedy. If you have any questions related to writing or the business of writing feel free to ask...

Okay, you got your big, blockbuster idea. Now how do you write it? Enroll in NYU's film school for a few years? Of course not, you read this article and save the $40K you don't have anyway...

Step 1) Read the book, Save The Cat! This book will layout the structure and format of writing including, how many pages should it be, where Act I should end, and where Act II should end. The truth is, if you do not follow the format of a script, no one will believe you can execute your brilliant idea. So learn the rules before you bend them.

Step 2) Get the software program, Final Draft. Again, readers in the industry want the script to look a certain way. This program will simplify the process of separating dialogue from scene descriptions, etc.

Step 3) Read the book, Your screenplay sucks. This will tell you everything you're doing wrong, but to know what you're doing wrong, you have to do something. Hence, outline and at least write the first act before launching into it.

I would never begin writing without a plan. Why? Because the plan will change anyway. Once you put your characters in a room together, their interaction takes on a life of its own and it may steer the characters differently. That's okay, but if you don't have a map to begin with, metaphorically speaking, you're going to get lost. Your outline is your map...

Here's how I make an outline. I break the script down into scenes, and for each scene, I write the pertinent things that must happen. For instance, in Scene 1 you could write, "introduction of main characters problem," and as you refine your outline, you get more specific.

You'll want to accomplish a few things. #1 is always story, the scene must push the story forward #2 Character development- so we are learning something about our character that will come into play later. For instance, in Indiana Jones, as he's escaping from an island of savages, there's a snake in the plane to which he exclaims, "I hate snakes!" This sets up the scene later where there are snakes everywhere. Think in terms of "set up" and "pay off" when you write character development.

Sometimes you'll have a hilarious scene that accomplishes neither. Some people will say cut it, I say leave it. As long as you are moving the story forward in your other scenes, my philosophy is, this is a creative endeavor, so don't get too bogged down in following rules. But! Do! Follow! Structural! Rules! Even though my exclamation marks contradict my statement, you get the point.

In each scene, have a beginning, a middle and an end. Start the scene at the latest point in the scene and end it at the earliest point. Why? People get bored. Starting a scene with, "Hi" is shit! They met, they greeted, we get it. Start with, "So, I'm pregnant." Get it?  Good, now tell me a story by putting together an outline. Then you've earned the right to begin really writing.

1) For a book, write about what you know. For a script, write about what fascinates you. 
2) Pick the genre you're writing before you write and stick to it. 
3) Use all emotions regardless of genre. IOW, if you're writing a comedy, also have dramatic moments. It gives your script a sense of reality.
4) Economize your characters. Readers will get confused with too many people.
5) Make sure the names of your characters are different enough to not get confused. Tom and Tim = bad
6) Know what drives every character you create. 
7) Make sure your main character is in almost every scene
8) Make sure the antagonist is in the same room with the protagonist as much as possible.
9) Every scene should have some level of conflict.
10) To generate conflict, make the characters very different from one other.