You’ve poured your heart into your script, polished every line of dialogue, and convinced yourself it’s the next Parasite or The Dark Knight. Then, BAM—rejected. Again. You start wondering if producers even read past the first ten pages. But what if the problem isn’t them? What if your script is tripping over common pitfalls that scream amateur instead of pro?
As a writer chasing Netflix millions (but paying bills with coaching and ghostwriting), I’ve seen it all. Here are the five scriptwriting mistakes that could be sinking your screenplay—and how to fix them before your next pitch.
1. A Weak First Page (or First Ten Pages)
Producers, agents, and readers are notoriously impatient. If your script doesn’t hook them immediately, it’s over. The first page sets the tone, while the first ten pages determine if they’ll even finish the script.
The Problem:
- Starting with dull exposition or worldbuilding instead of action.
- Introducing too many characters at once.
- Forgetting to create tension or stakes.
How to Fix It:
- Start in the Middle of the Action: Drop your audience into a compelling situation where something is already happening. No one cares about backstory in the first paragraph.
- Introduce Key Characters with Purpose: Make sure every character introduced in the first ten pages matters to the plot. Don’t flood the scene with throwaways.
- Establish Tone and Stakes Early: Whether it’s comedy, thriller, or drama, make the tone clear and raise questions that beg to be answered.
Example: The opening scene of Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino immediately creates tension with Colonel Hans Landa’s polite but sinister interrogation. No wasted words, and we’re hooked.
2. On-the-Nose Dialogue
Nothing ruins a script faster than dialogue that sounds like a soap opera audition. Real people don’t say exactly what they’re thinking, so your characters shouldn’t either.
The Problem:
- Characters explaining the plot to each other.
- Dialogue that lacks subtext or feels forced.
- Everyone talks the same way.
How to Fix It:
- Add Subtext: Make characters say one thing while meaning another. Tension lives in what’s unsaid.
- Personalize Their Voices: Give each character a distinct way of speaking. Use slang, rhythm, or speech quirks that reflect their background.
- Cut Exposition from Dialogue: Find other ways to reveal important information—visuals, actions, or implications.
Example: In The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue between Mark Zuckerberg and Erica Albright is sharp, layered with subtext, and sets up the entire tone of the film.
3. Forgetting Structure (Especially Act Two)
Act Two is where scripts go to die. A weak or meandering middle kills momentum, leaving readers bored and disengaged.
The Problem:
- Lack of clear goals or stakes for the protagonist.
- Filler scenes that don’t advance the plot.
- Failing to build tension toward the climax.
How to Fix It:
- Define Your Midpoint: What’s the big twist or turning point halfway through? It should raise the stakes dramatically.
- Create Cause-and-Effect Scenes: Every scene should logically lead to the next. If it doesn’t, cut it.
- Raise Tension Incrementally: Your protagonist’s obstacles should become more difficult and personal as the story progresses.
Example: In Mad Max: Fury Road, the midpoint flips the story when Furiosa and Max realize they can’t keep running—they have to turn back and fight. The stakes skyrocket.
4. Ignoring Visual Storytelling
A screenplay is not a novel. If your script relies on dialogue to tell the story, you’re missing out on the magic of film: showing, not telling.
The Problem:
- Over-relying on dialogue to move the plot.
- Neglecting action lines and descriptive visuals.
- Writing scenes that could work better in another medium.
How to Fix It:
- Think Cinematically: What does the camera see? Every action line should be visually compelling and purposeful.
- Use Visual Metaphors: Show character emotions through their actions or environment, not just their words.
- Minimize Talking Heads: Break up dialogue-heavy scenes with actions or visual tension.
Example: The opening montage of Up tells an entire love story in a few silent minutes, using visuals to break our hearts without a single word.
5. No High Concept or Clear Theme
Hollywood loves high-concept ideas—scripts that can be boiled down to a single compelling sentence. If your script lacks a clear concept or theme, it’ll struggle to stand out.
The Problem:
- Your story feels generic or “done before.”
- The theme is muddy or inconsistent.
- The logline doesn’t grab attention.
How to Fix It:
- Clarify Your Concept: Can you pitch your script in one line? If not, you may need to simplify or refine your idea.
- Define Your Theme: What’s the deeper message of your story? Every scene should connect to it.
- Use Contrasts: High-concept ideas often come from putting opposites together (e.g., Jurassic Park: dinosaurs in the modern world).
Example: Get Out is a perfect high-concept thriller: a Black man visits his white girlfriend’s family, only to uncover a terrifying secret. It’s unique, relatable, and thematic.
FAQs About Fixing Common Script Problems
Q: How do I know if my first ten pages are strong enough?
Get feedback from peers or screenwriting groups. You can also submit to competitions with feedback options (e.g., The Page Awards).
Q: Can I fix on-the-nose dialogue after I’ve finished my draft?
Absolutely. Dialogue is one of the easiest things to edit once the structure is solid. Read your script aloud to catch unnatural lines.
Q: What tools can help me with structure and pacing?
Try Save the Cat! for outlining and Final Draft for formatting.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Script Reader-Ready
Screenwriting is a competitive game, but fixing these five common mistakes can make your script stand out. Tighten your first ten pages, embrace visual storytelling, and craft dialogue that sparkles with subtext. Most importantly, don’t let rejections stop you—every great screenwriter started where you are.
Further Resources:
- Blake Snyder’s Beat Sheet
- Screenplay by Syd Field (a classic on structure)
- Scriptnotes Podcast for industry insights
