How does John's teaching method differ from other methods?

Many screenwriting teachers use the 3-Act Structure or the slightly more involved 8-Sequence Structure approach, which is the most simplistic and baseline method of screenwriting. Read more about John's advanced approach here.

How do I get an agent?

This is one of the most famous of all Catch-22s; how does one get work published without having previously been published?

First of all, build your library. Should you get a moment with an agent, you want to show them that you are both prolific and diverse in your writing. They may ask if you have written certain genres, TV pilots, or stories centering on a certain age group. Being as prepared as possible is key.

Enter as many contests as possible, keeping in mind which of those carry more weight. For a list of recommended contests, see below. Make and keep contacts and connections. You never know when a friend might help you out. Send query letters. For more information on that goes into a query letter, see below.

The Writers Guild provides a list of agencies on their site; the list can also be found here.

Where can I find a great story idea?

It's true that you should write what you know. Drawing from personal experiences will give your story a voice and style that other writers cannot make up. However, don't be afraid to fictionalize real life for the sake of the story.

You can also get great ideas from everyday news articles. Truth is stranger...

You may have an interesting character in mind. Put that character in an intense or funny situation. How would they respond?

You can get ideas anywhere you go. Carry around a small notebook in your pocket or purse to jot down ideas. You never know when they will grow into a story.

I've got my story idea, now how do I figure out what genre Im writing?

You can take the Genre Quiz. If you are still unsure, contact the office to speak with a Truby representative.

What goes into making a good pitch?

As for content, start with a catchy logline or a very succinct synopsis that includes your main character, a hook, and some idea of the outcome of the story. Then go into a more detailed but still brief outline of the plot, leaving out details and jokes.

The most important thing is to PRACTICE. Talk to yourself in your car, watch your face and movements in a mirror, and make friends or family sit down to hear your pitch. Encourage them to ask questions about your story, especially concerning any points they do not understand. Being confident in your story and being able to answer any questions about it are the most important keys to a great pitch.

How do I get a meeting to pitch my story?

If you do not have an agent and are not an established writer with credits, it is very difficult to get a meeting.

Several film festivals hold "Pitch Fests", in which you pay a nominal fee and get an specific amount of time to pitch your story to a group of agents, managers, producers, or writers. You are at least guaranteed some valuable feedback regarding your pitching and your story itself, and it's great practice.

How long are screenplays supposed to be?

When you figure one page of a screenplay to translate to one minute on screen, most screenplays stay in the 90- to 120-page range. You will want to keep it as close to 90 pages as possible if you are sending it out; readers are more apt to finish in one sitting.

Where can I find information on adaptation rights?

If the author died over 75 years ago, the work is considered public domain.

If the author has been dead less than 75 years or is still alive, find out who published the work and contact that publisher's Subsidiary Rights or Rights and Permissions office. They can tell you who owns the rights and if the work has already been optioned.

Depending on the notoriety of the work, an option can cost very little, or it can cost several thousand dollars. If you have the means, you may want to hire an experienced attorney to help you.

How do I register my script?

Find out about registering your script with the Writers Guild here.

Should I move to Los Angeles if I want to make it as a screenwriter?

Moving to Hollywood to "make it" is actually the worst thing you can do. Hollywood doesn't want you if you want it.

First, you must earn respect as a writer so that Hollywood will invite you here. It is always best to stay where you are and develop a portfolio of scripts, then try to get credits in your local area. This might mean writing a play and putting it on.

One of the best things about writing as opposed to other artistic crafts in film is that you can write a script anywhere. But the MOST important thing is to try to generate credits because that is the currency of Hollywood. These can be credits of any length or medium. You never know, a five-minute video on YouTube could be your ticket to an invitation to Hollywood.

I don't know any other writers - how can I find a good writing partner?

You can post an ad on our new Classifieds message board. Another good idea is to join a local writers group that meets regularly, or start one yourself. Craigslist.org is a good place to see if there are any groups that already exist.

How do I write an eye-catching logline?

Keep your logline to one sentence, generally around 50 words. You want to entice your audience using a hook without giving away too much information. Do mention your hero's name, the basic action of the story, and to some extent, the outcome. Give the audience an idea of your story's genre and style.

What contests do you recommend?

The following contests are some of the most prestigious in name and generous in terms of prizes:

American Accolades
Austin Film Festival
Disney/ABC Writing Fellowship
Nicholls Fellowships in Screenwriting
Screenwriting Expo Screenplay Competition
Scriptapalooza
Slamdance
Warner Bros. Writers Workshop

Visit our Marketing page here to find links to more contest directories

What should I include in a query letter?

Click here for an example query letter.


What is the difference between the Great Screenwriting DVD and the CD?

The DVD course comes as a set of four DVDs, totaling 8 hours. They are broken up into these categories: Classic Structure, Character, 22-Step Structure, and Dialogue. This course covers all of the basics as well as advanced techniques that will give any novice the tools to write their first screenplay, and any pro a deeper insight into writing a more meaningful and structurally sound script.

The CD course comes in MP3 format on two compact discs, totaling 14 hours. This course covers all of the information from the DVDs as well as story beats, character types, and inherent problems to avoid when writing each genre. This is a live recording of John's 2-day lecture on Story Structure.

Read more about the course here.

Where is my download?

Orders are processed Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific Standard Time. If you placed an order for a download outside of this time frame, your order will be processed on the next business day. Once your order is processed and your payment clears, an email will be sent with a link to your download.

If the privacy settings on your email account are high, the email may be sent to your Spam or Trash files - please check there if you cannot find the email.

If it has been one business day since your order and you still do not see an email, please contact the office.

How many computers can I install Blockbuster on?

You may have two installations at any one time.

If you get rid of an old computer for a new one, first uninstall Blockbuster. You will be given an "Uninstall" number. Give this number when requesting your new activation response number.

Read more about our Blockbuster software here.

Does John have a book?

Yes! Anatomy of Story was published on November 1, 2007. It is available for order on Amazon. Read more about Anatomy of Story here.

When is John coming to my city?

As soon as we have dates and locations set for John's lectures and appearances, they will be posted under the "Appearances" link on the home page.

Can I place my order over the phone?

Yes, you can. Contact the office Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific Standard Time.